From Rajasthani folk song Kesariya balam, padharo mhare des... to Hindi film number Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge, the diversity of Indian culture was on display at the banquet in the honour of US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening.
As the US President and his wife were guided to the beautifully lit Mughal Gardens, a Rajasthani folk song Kesariya balam, padharo mhare des was being played. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was decked in flowers and Mughal Gardens was illuminated with the presidential visit following close to Diwali.
The two visiting dignitaries were seated beneath a specially erected canopy along with Ms Patil and her husband Devisingh Shekhawat from where they enjoyed the cultural evening. After the Rajasthani folk song, a percussionist group led by musicians Guruvar Dorai and V. Raja Rao enthralled the evening with live orchestra with sounds of mridgangam, tabla, ghatam and khanjeera.
After the performance a choreography titled “Maitrayee”, a mixture of India’s diverse classical dances, Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kathak, was performed. This was followed by the 16-member Shillong Chamber Choir who performed Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todege.. from the Bollywood hit Sholay. The group also performed a Khasi folk opera, Deep River — an Afro-American hymn — and To God be the Glory — a popular 19th-century hymn composed by William Howard Doane and penned by American lyricist Fanny Crossby.
Before the state dinner, Ms Patil and Obama had a brief meeting. Just ahead of the parleys, the US’s First Couple were served samosas which they ate out of their hands, sources stated.
The cultural presentation, which lasted for about 20 minutes, was followed by a speech by President Patil who terming the visit of US President Barack Obama as a “historic milestone”. “The US and India have profound responsibility to work together for peace, stability and security in the world,” she said, pointing out that there were many ties that bound the nations together.
Raising a toast with his counterpart, Mr Obama praised India’s women leaders, viewing this as a reason for the country’s success. “India is doing so well because it has so many strong women leaders,” he said.
The dinner at the expansive Mughal Gardens is a departure from the normal practice as the head of the state normally hosts dinner at the dinner hall. The dinner itself was a lavish spread of dishes created by the Rashtrapati Bhavan kitchen staff. The dises included pineapple halwa, achari fish tikka, chicken shami kebab, palak papdi chaat, pista murg and sunehri lamb.
As the over 100 guests settled down to a sumptuous dinner, the stage was set for the naval band to play music from several Bollywood films.
The songs played by the band included Jai Ho and Chhoti Se Asha by A.R. Rahman and the famous Raj Kapoor song Awara Hoon. Mr Obama was also treated to some all-time classics of Stevie Wonder, including the unforgettable I Just Called To Say as well as Part-time Lover and Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight.