The Talent Round

Hundreds of students,dressed like dhangars,kolis,warkaris and jotyas ,ran around in the wide parking lot of Balgandharva Rang Mandir,the green room,the auditorium and the stage itself. The students’ expressions spoke volumes about their feelings – some were bewildered,some beaming,some even crying because of ‘wardrobe malfunctions’! But,overall,every little child seemed thrilled to be a part of this large competition.

December 20 was the second day and the competition had already attracted students from over 50 schools that operate under the Shikshan Mandal,PMC. The Shikshan Mandal has been organising this annual competition for several years,primarily to promote the talents of under-privileged children studying in PMC schools. “The platform provided by this competition encourages hundreds of kids to come forward and showcase their efforts and talents in front of people,” says Swati Gaikwad,who has been convenor of this competition for the last three years. “In today’s age of talent shows and channel-sponsored competitions,children from poor sections of society find it difficult to break through the competition posed by professional dance academies and media-honed kids. Their skills and talents are thereby left unnoticed. By organising such competitions,Shikshan Mandal opens up a portal for recognising their efforts,” she adds.

Notices are sent to the schools through mails and entries accepted at the Shikshan Mandal office. The Mandal generally does not keep any restrictions on the number of teams and schools participating for the event. The idea is to give an opportunity to everyone who wants to perform. This year,a total of 2500 teams have participated in the competition. Referring to the sight of children dressed in traditional costumes,Pratik Mundwe,a parent,said,“It looks like the whole of Maharashtra’s tradition and culture has descended upon Balgandharva Rangmandir!”

The two days of the competition saw folk dances from Maharashtra,Punjab,Orissa,Goa and Assam. Lavani and Koli-dance were performed alongside the Bhangra and the Jhoomar. It was indeed unity in diversity. “We requested a member of the Sikh community to teach us the Bhangra,” said eight-year old Mangesh Pundalik from Vidya Niketan School No 8. The kids performed the dances with matched rhythm and fervour.

“ A budget of Rs 4000 is allotted to every school that participates in the event. It covers expenses of draperies,costumes,transport and preparation for the dances or songs. Most of the PMC schools do not have internal funding required for such a large-scale competition,” said Gaikwad.

The prize for this competition is also well-thought of. Gaikwad revealed,”The mandal organises a two or three-day Maharashtra Darshan trip for the winning teams,wherein they are taken to visit various famous places in the state.” The third leg of the competition will be held at the same venue on December 26.