You can't take the film out of an Indian!

As part of their plan to change the landscape of attendees of the temple from a predominantly geriatric population who are trying to postpone their face to face appointment with their Maker to a much younger one and to enhance the inter and intra familial ties, the ladies wing of the temple committee that I attend decided to hold a variety show in their premises. The other agenda on the list was to source funds to channel towards an orphanage.
Well, you would think that getting orphanage to participate in this fare should be easy. Not really! Most of these institutions have their appointment books all packed with invitations from well wishers. They even limit the type of handouts that you can offer them. They can choose because they are not beggars! In a land of plenty like ours, everyone is affluent.
You would not be penalised if you think that there would not be any takers for purchase of ticket to this show. Wrong again. The tickets sold off faster than hot cakes, leaving many disappointed souls.
The theme of the show was 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' (we stand united) to illustrate the fact that a family that  spend time together feasting the eyes, mind and palate together would stand united as a happy family. 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' is a title of a Hindi movie that came out in the 90s of the trial and tribulations of an extended family. Someone said that he felt so nauseated throughout the film as every character were just much too sweet to each other sacrificing for others' wellbeing! (Like drinking 50% dextrose, you will puke!)

Good for you!

The show started keeping to Malaysian or Indian timings as the attendees were Malaysians and Indians. An excellent Masters of Ceremony kept the crowd in stitches and at their toes as he went around getting the audience involved in the event. The audience kept their side of the bargain by performing songs and going on stage as easy as flipping the coin. 
The event appeared like a remembrance of sorts for the recent passing of the Hindi film superstar, Rajesh Khanna. Many of the quiz questions and background songs were from his movies. Some of the performances were choreographed to his songs!

Can't keep the eyes off!

The performances flowed in seamlessly as the guests were digging into their delicious vegetarian cuisines. In midst of lucky draws were pantomime by the priest and his family on a sketch of how God works in mysterious ways, a Bollywood song singing competition between sexes (Antakshari), an imitation of a reality show as seen in Hindi channel, dances by the young and the old, music from Bollywood and a finale by the organising committee.
The organisers managed to grasp the attention of all ( from young to old) and made them stay around way past their bed times! They also managed to show how a wholesome show suitable for the whole family can be organised. Of course, the whole evening would have been a turn-off if it appeared preachy with hymns and prayers only. If not for Bollywood input, it would not have been possible. A right balance of entertainment and family values was maintained.  Kudos!


*Antakshri (Devnagri: अन्ताक्षरी, Urdu: انتاکشری) is a spoken parlour game played in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. Each contestant sings the first verse of a (usually Bollywood) movie song that begins with the Hindi or Urdu consonant on which the previous contestant's song selection ended.