BOSTON Subcontinental Drift’s (SubDrift) monthly programs arranged in different cities of America had one such in Boston last week.
It was SubDrift Boston celebrating its fourth birthday on August 25 evening with a grand open Mic program at the venue “Danger! Awesome” in the heart of Cambridge city, MA. Hundreds of young gifted singers, writers, musicians, dancers, actors, film makers and others gathered to showcase their talents.
The SubDrift organizer Aditya Nochur welcomed the audience and talent presenters to the event and very proudly stated that the SubDrift Boston completed its 4th year successfully in Boston this year.
The program started with Gaurav Cedric Bhatnagar’s short film, “Making a Mark” that featured a cast and crew of predominantly Indian descent. This film had no spoken dialog and communicated instead through purely cinematic techniques, music, and Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form.
Gaurav is a designer, developer and entrepreneur who creates interactive experiences, films, apps that entertain and engage people in learning about and addressing pressing social issues and injustices.
Nivedita Mahesh and Shaan Dasan as actors in the film fully justified the theme. Music by Anu Gunn and Aaclip from Sloka by Saraswati Jones added additional attraction to the film.
Saraswati Jones, a well-known singer and songwriter based in Boston is also a transmitter of “postcolonial pop rock” music. She presented a wonderful song and mesmerizing mono-acting to the audience as a SubDrift featured act. She draws glimpses of South Asian history, culture, and aesthetics in her music and performances. Saraswati released her first solo EP Lingua Franca in 2013, and she also performs with her band Awaaz Do, which re-imagines classic Bollywood songs as rock and roll anthems.
The open Mic program started with melodious devotional Bhajans on account of Lord Krishna Janmashtami. Prof Jaspal Singh sang a special song which was written by him for Roskilde, Denmark, Youth Festival in 1981. It was translated in more than 40 languages of the world. It calls on the youth of the world to unite and fight against all kind of exploitation and oppression.
Monishita Roy presented a brilliant Odissi dance. Many gifted performers both new and seasoned artists showed their flair and feels through poetry, dance, singing, short stories and films, acting, and playing different music instruments.
“All the performers were very gifted and talented who demonstrated their voices and souls of their feelings. With their varied talents they transformed this event into an amazing experience. Although this was my first exposure to a South Asian talent show like this one, I can certainty say that it was one of the most invigorating experiences of my life. I felt engaged, excited, and in fact refreshed,” said one of the American members of the audience who came with his friend to the event.
Geetha Patil
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
