Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Bruce Golding is welcomed by Sangeetha Kiswani (left), president of the Indian Cultural Society in Jamaica, and Kala Thakur, member of the executive, at its Naach, evening of dance and elegant dining.

THE BEST of Indian culture, in the form of music, dance and food were demonstrated at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Friday.

The Indian Cultural Society in Jamaica (ICSJ) hosted Naach, an evening of dance and elegant dining, to celebrate the 61st anniversary of Indian independence. The timing of the event could not have been more perfect as new Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mohendra Singh Grover (who arrived at 1 a.m. that day), was able to participate in his first activity with the group.

The high commissioner is the patron of the organisation. He told the guests that they would be proud of the new India and how it had evolved as a modern state, despite some challenges that remain. He lauded the ICSJ for keeping the Indian culture alive, not just promoting it, but fusing it with other cultures.

Guest performers from Toronto, New York and Suriname electrified the gathering as they gave a mixture of traditional Indian art forms, infused with Bollywood song and dance. The ICSJ, with the assistance of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, made presentations to Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High, Penwood High and Glenhope Place of Safety for Girls.

The ICSJ was founded in 1982 by a group of expatriates, who felt they needed an organisation to promote Indian culture and its rich heritage. The society also aims to foster interaction and good relationships with all communities in Jamaica, as well as to assist needy Jamaican organisations.

Vocalist Kumar Sarvesh Joshi performs.

Shirley Lopez of Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High gets a hug and a cheque from Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The donation was made on behalf of the ICSJ.

To add a Jamaican touch to the evening, the Ardenne Dance Troupe performed a pulsating piece.

The dynamic duo of Sibtain Rahim (left) and Pooja Narang are the toast of the performers.