The Final Golu for this year... and a performance...

The Fine Arts Society, Chembur is a hub of activity almost throughout the year. However, it is during Navaratri, that the place attracts even more crowds than usual.  The reason is of course, their music and fine arts classes, which begin on Vijayadasami, but even non-musical people like me rush there to see their golu, year after year.

This golu is one of our favourites, and one we rush to see every year, even though the main dolls are all the same.There are a few new ones every year...

Bhu-Varaha represented in two forms...

This one, being white, I am guessing is Shweta Varahaswamy

and there are always some which we love to see... again and again and again!

On top are the Ashta Lakshmis or 8 forms of Lakshmi.
below are Ganeshas, represented as the Dashavatars

Under the tree are Adi Shankara and his disciples. Behind them are the pontiffs of the Kanchi Math

A Garden, with animals

We always love their Marapachis!

Vithala Rakumai look beautiful, dont they? 

Ganesha

Ayyappa

Great Souls - Gandhiji,  Buddha, Thiruvalluar, Tyagarjar, Raghavendrar, and Meera

Dhanvantari, with his medicinal plants spread out

But it is the side decoration that beckons us. This year, the theme is the Ramayana, and the entire epic has been recreated with handmade dolls.

Birth of Rama (and his brothers)

Sita's Swayamvar

with Sita and her sisters looking on

In the forest - Bharata taking back Rama's Padukaas

Sita being kidnapped by Ravana, while Rama and Lakshmana go after the golden deer

Meeting Shabari

Sita in the Ashoka Vatika

Ravana's court

And finally, Rama's coronation

This year, I was at the Fine Arts Society for one more reason... to see my sister dance. As some of you know, she is a Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer, and performs at various places with her group from the Sanskriti Academy of Fine Arts, Thane, under the inspired guidance of Smt. Asha Sunilkumar. This year, I am proud to say that I believe she surpassed herself, with a performance that had everyone stand up and notice her. Of course, the entire troupe performed beautifully, but with my sister on stage, can I have eyes for anyone else? Here are a few glimpses of her expressive face....

You can see the entire album of photographs on Facebook....here

and on Google Plus Photos... here.

And those of you who are going to ask me why I didn't take a video, sorry, but my camera was running low on battery, and I didn't want to risk missing part of the performance. Besides, I don't really think I am good at videography, but I promise to at least try next time!