PLAINFIELD, NJ: Indianica Academy's 12th annual talent and cultural dancing bonanza took place at the Plainfield High School with none other than Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi as the Chief Guests and the Special Guest of Honor respectively. The duo had flown in just for the Sidana family and to attend Chamakte Sitaaray, knowing that the event was a culmination of an entire year of hard work by the entire Academy.

This year, 14 teenagers graduated from their seven year course - many of them vowing to continue with Indianica Academy as it had become part of their lives. The 4 hour jam packed performances comprised of 138 talented students who entertained the audience with 17 spectacular numbers including three beautiful Kathak Classical Items.

The sensation of the evening was a performance by Dr Navin Mehta donning the 'Yaraana suit', specially carted from India with the flashing Amitabh Bachchan style bulbs. Girish and Damini Soni also performed an item, proving that age is just a number. Another Founding Member Rajesh Patel performed a Qawwali from "Main Hoon Naa". Dr Navin Mehta, Founding Member of Indianica Academy said, "I have been associated with this academy ever since it was started. Chamakte Sitaare is the platform to bring forward the hidden local talents to the world." Padma Khanna, famous actress and Kathak dancer, has played the largest role in sculpturing the young talent. Moving with the times and in tune with her students taste, she edited an old kathak song to rejuvenate it.

Son Akshar and daughter Neha, extremely talented choreographers assisted in engineering the entire show. Neha's achievement was choreographing 6 year old students while Akshar's most appreciated items were the Atish items. Jagdish Sidana, Director of Indianica Academy, said, "Chamakte Sitaare is the extensive hard work of the performers. Every dance is different from the other.

The choreography of all the dances being performed has diverse dance movements which is why the show is different." Kathak is a form of dance that constitutes Nritya and Abhinay, vividly portrayed through the night. It teaches expression involved in the dance performance. Chamakte Sitaare portrayed different levels of Kathak, from Level 1 thru Level 7. To add to the sensational performances, four radio hosts - Kulaaaj Anand, Mamta, Yasmin and Tanvi were the emcees for the evening.

With their diverse backgrounds and presentation skills, they enhanced the children's performances.The evening ended with the presentation of the well deserved awards to the graduating children by the guests of honor Archana Puran Singh. Jet Airways was thanked for being a patron sponsor of the evening. The Academy is already planning next year's events and as always, striving to make it more challenging and entertaining for one and all, audience and art lovers of all ages.