Racecourse open to cultural shows - By Joeanna Rebello Fernandes I TNN
Posted on - 26 Nov 2011
Racecourse open to cultural shows
By Joeanna Rebello Fernandes
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Mumbai: The 225-acre grounds of the Royal Western India Turf Club, otherwise known as the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, has conventionally attracted three types of customers: the sort interested in equestrian activity; the kind who favour good food and the ones who come here for their daily constitutional.
In the recent past, there have, on occasion, emerged other tribes. Ones who found culture and entertainment on these plains. Vivek Jain, chairman, RWITC, promises there’s more to come.
“These events are part of our larger plan to make the racecourse more inclusive for the city,” he says, adding that social, community, even CSR activities will be welcome here. “We want to get the message out that we are open to collaborations,” he says. On Saturday, a collaboration with the Lodha Foundation will have a three-hour Marathi cultural production called ‘Marathi Bana’ staged for the public. The performance, which enlists 125 artistes, is an exposition of the cultural heritage of Maharashta. Jain expects close to 10,000 people to show up.
“RWITC has always been associated with Englishspeaking crowds; we want to change that. We want to do something for the local community,” he says.
The product of another partnership, this one with ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations), will give us a performance by Grammy Award winners Toumani Diabate (also UNAIDS goodwill ambassador) and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, on November 30, eve of World AIDS Day.
‘Marathi Bana, on Saturday, 7-10 pm, First Enclosure Lawns. Nov 30: Performance by Toumani Diabate and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
