Season for spreading happiness and love through charity.
Over 60 children sat in rapt attention listening to The Flower Duet for Sopranos from Léo Delibes’ opera Lakme at National Centre of Performing Art’s (NCPA) open-air plaza. Music has no boundaries and it seemed to touch in a magical way all those gathered for the pre-Christmas celebrations there. The afternoon sun played spoilt sport but the spirits of these young children were unfazed. Nodding their heads—adorned with red-coloured, snow-tipped Santa Claus caps—from left to right to the music, the children painted a pretty picture as four members of the Symphony Orchestra of India (founded by NCPA in 2006) took centre stage.
Imagine attending an orchestra, dance performance and magic show, all in a few hours. Would it not be a delight, especially if you were a school-going kid? With an aim to making this Christmas an unforgettable experience, NCPA invited over 100 children from NGOs including Baal Jeevan Trust, The Education Audiology and Research Society (EAR) and Bhavishya Yaan to a Christmas bash for them. As the orchestra belted out the popular Merry Christmas song, the place resounded with claps and laughter, and children humming the chorus. The performance came to a close with Jose Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad.
Bringing happiness and smiles on the little faces next was a magician, who kept the children entertained and glued to their seats by his tricks. Throughout his show the children were filled with wonder and excitement.
Saving the best for the last
Shiamak Davar’s Victory Arts Foundation troupe performed to popular Bollywood tracks for the children. This exuberant, high-energy dance troupe, with a dozen multi-talented performers, not only entertained the children but also got them up on their feet to shake a leg with them, before welcoming Santa Claus, who showered the children with goodies and gifts.
Time for charity
1While NCPA made the day for underprivileged children, you too can spread festive cheer along with a pinch of charity. All Things Nice and Woodside Inn presents Cheer for Charity. South Mumbai brew fans at Woodside, Colaba, will chug their lagers in a mad race to compete against their North Mumbai counterparts at Woodside, Andheri, in a bid to see which part of town can raise more for charity. Log on to allthingsnice.in for details.
2Have you been looking for traditional Christmas treats but do not know where to find them? Make your way to Indigo Deli’s table of treats. Their shelves are stocked with all kinds of interesting goodies: from in-house products such as jams, dry rub mixes, marinades, butters, marmalades, savouries and sweets to handpicked gourmet merchandise which can be gifted to friends and family this X’mas season.
3Buy special candles, specifically made for this festive season, by cancer patients, who have been trained at the Rehabilitation Centre of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA). Each candle you light, will bring hope to these patients. For details, call 24927007/24903561.
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