Two-day Juhu fest will showcase local talent…..Linah Baliga
Reclaimed Park Will Also Be Inaugurated
Reclaimed Park Will Also Be Inaugurated
Mumbai: For citizens of Juhu,activism isnt confined to just taking up civic issues.In a bid to showcase the varied culture of the tony neighbourhood,the residents will organize a two-day fest starting Saturday to celebrate its star-studded status.
Incidentally,the occasion will also witness the inauguration of a park.To be called The Juhu Citizens Park,the garden will be thrown open to the public on Saturday. Located behind Prithvi Theatre,the green cover is a symbol of public enterprise with locals having worked together to clear nearly 2,50,000 sq ft of encroached land to convert it into a space to relax for senior citizens and children.
We will get together under the banner of Juhu Hamara Festival and our aim will be to bring together the different sections of people in the area to work towards a greater cause, which is sprucing up Mumbai, said Hansel DSouza, president, Juhu Citizens Welfare Group (JCWG).
It will also provide an opportunity to residents to know each other and this is the spirit we want to cultivate.It will be our strength when we decide to take up civic issues,if any,in future, DSouza said,adding that,Also,Juhu like Bandra may not have anything to boast about its history but it certainly has a wealth of star artists and artistes.We have musicians,singers,painters and,most importantly,the cream of Bollywood residing here.They will be the focus of the festival.
Interestingly,the garden is one of the six parks reclaimed by residents and is being developed by the citizens with the funds from the citys first citizen corporator.JCWG will maintain it with its funds,said DSouza.
The artistes who will perform in the fest include classical music exponents well as budding talents.Noted sarangi player Dhruba Ghosh will perform with the younger bunch like Krishna Bhat,Sanjeev Chimmalgi and Jharna Vyas, said an organiser.Birla Lane will be transformed into an open art gallery featuring the diversity of India in all its colours through the eyes of children.Makarand Deshpandes Sa Hi Besura,starring Sudhir Pande,Heeba Shah and Vijay Morya,will mark the finale of the festival, he added.