India Night at Clear Lake High School

Lekha and Nikita in a song and dance performance

Lekha and Nikita in a song and dance performance

By Manu Shah

HOUSTON: Give a group of enthusiastic, inventive and talented teenagers a stage and you get an evening of pure unadulterated fun.

The Clear Lake High School ICC student body organized India Night, an annual cultural evening and dinner on March 30to showcase the talents of its 70 odd members during its evening of music, dance, fashion and drama.

The show began with one of the emcees, Will Alexander, running into an old classmate Jahnavi Shriram (the other emcee) in India. Thanks to Jahnavi, the anything-Indian loving Will gets a firsthand taste of Indian culture and Bollywood masti.

The sizeable crowd that turned up to root for the participants stood to attention for the American and Indian National Anthems sung excellently by Emory Duncan and Sumedha Rao. This was followed by Emory’s group which promised to “rock us” and, boy, did they deliver on their promise!

Deeksha Madala and Divya Koyyalagunta doing a dance medley.

Deeksha Madala and Divya Koyyalagunta doing a dance medley.

Rohini and Pratyusha kicked off the evening with a lovely fusion dance – Dheem Tat Tai followed by Mere Dholna Sun – where a graceful Nikita danced to the tune of the lyrically gifted Lekha Yesantharao.  Uff Teri Ada by Ayushi, Khushboo, Kaajol and Kaanan, Dil Mera Muft Ka by Lajja and Roma, a dance medley by Divya and Deeksha and a Fashion Show added to the fun of the evening.

A valiant and hilarious effort to sing the title song of the Aamir Khan starrer was made by the Rang De Basanti team followed by the pulse pounding Sadda Haq where drummer Aden Fuestel was brilliant. Divya’s soulful Mitwa, Vishmi’s confident rendition of Yeh Ishq Ha Hai, Romil’s Sadda Haq and Kishan, Vasu and Faraaz’s Roobaroo is more than proof that one doesn’t need to grow up in India to sing Hindi songs well.

The evening’s highlight was the skit depicting a class in India.  Akilan’s impersonation of a stereotypical cane wielding abrasive class teacher was simply outstanding.  The back and forth play between the students and the teacher, the corny one liners, the strolling-into-class American from Kentucky who wants a tardy pass had the audiences erupting with appreciative laughter.

President Nishant Raman acknowledged the efforts of all the people who helped put together the show which included the backstage and technical team that worked the show without a hitch. Teachers Dass and Goradia were also thanked for their support, encouragement and advice.  The proceeds of the evening would be donated to Pratham, USA, for the education of economically backward children in India.

The evening wrapped up with the Seniors lining up to perform a lively dance medley to Bollywood chartbusters building in a funny storyline about a Wrangler honcho who falls for a desi girl. More proof that even though we may be miles away from India, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani!