MESMERISING MOMENTS OF A MEMORABLE EVENT!

25th,April,2010

Sunday,

3p.m

Dear Friends,

Good Evening!

Thrissur Pooram was really grand!I missed the live show on television as I was away attending a cultural event held away from town!the sky was cloudy.since it was Saturday evening the open air ground was full. The young and talented participants were really enthusiastic.they showcased their talents under the able guidance of professionals.From Saraswathi Vandana to the Ipl dance,every item was brilliantly presented.The event also saw the the prize distribution of the best participants.

The Chief Guest arrived fifteen minutes late, as he had to travel a long distance.The moment he arrived with his wife,the mild showers started.There was chaos and commotion but Thank God,the showers stopped within ten minutes. Here I want to write about the Italian dance that enthralled the audience.I must tell you,yaar,I was completely bowled over by this enchanting performance!

There's an Italian saying that if you kiss under the 'Bridge of Sighs'in Venice your love will last forever.I'm not sure about this; still one can give a try!:)but the lovers must visit Venice-the most romantic city in the world-to glide along the Grand Canal in a gondola and you can see many couples kissing blissfully under the Bridge of Sighs sitting on those Venetian row boats hoping their love would last forever.

The traditional dance and music have been part of the community life in Italy.They sing and dance for their own entertainment,as part of their family and community rituals and events.

16th century Italiyan dances are the most complex of the different types of renaissance dance.Italian folk dance has been an integral part of Italian culture for centuries.Dance has been a continuous thread in Italian life from Dante through the Renaissance,the advent of the Tarantella and the modern revivals of folk music and dance.

The carol or carole[carola in Italian],a circle or chain dance which incorporates singing was the dominant Medieval dance form in Europe from atleast the12th through the 14th centuries.This form of dance was found in Italy as well.It is described a group of women leaving the church in Bologna at the festa of San Giovanni;they form acircle with the leader singing the first stanza at the end of which the dancers stop and dropping hands,sing the refrain.the circle is then reforms and the leader goes on to the next stanza.

In all the dances the upper body is kept erect,the arms are quiet and there is alittle movement above the waist.The steps were done with a rising and falling motion like the motion of a boat in waves.

The girls wore glittering gowns in white and red.The props were small cute green umbrellas,garlands and gypsi,the musical instrument which is round.the movemnets and the various formation were so graceful and beautiful!I was in some dreamland,specially after the mild showers and these dancers took me to the farthest land of Italy.

It was an unforgettable experience and real feast for eyes!With beautiful memories,

I came back home to a good night's sound and dreamy sleep!the rain drops still play the magic!:)

I was singing,..........Mujhe pyar hai thum se........................:)

It's Anu signing off...........

I want to get lost in the narrow streets along the canal.I want to join those men and women wearing masks and twirling around in circles to the lively Venetian music!:)Still concealing the identity anyone can join the group.Are you ready?Still I can find you out!

Wishing you a wonderful energetic week ahead,

Reminding you Anu loves you wholeheartedly,

Requesting you to inform me when you leave for Venice,

Sasneham,

Anu