BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
COSTA MESA, CA - The epitome of sass, ‘Queen of Dandiya’, Falguni Pathak danced her way into the hearts of Angelenos on the airy night of Sept 8 at the Orange County Fair center here. Interestingly, Pathak was performing in the US after a span of nearly 12 years. On her day of arrival, in a Facebook post, Pathak mentioned,
COSTA MESA, CA - The epitome of sass, ‘Queen of Dandiya’, Falguni Pathak danced her way into the hearts of Angelenos on the airy night of Sept 8 at the Orange County Fair center here. Interestingly, Pathak was performing in the US after a span of nearly 12 years. On her day of arrival, in a Facebook post, Pathak mentioned,
“This lovely night has come after a gap of 12 years. I am super excited to perform in front of the lovely LA crowd.”
Pathak, who became famous with songs like ‘Maine Payal Hai Chankayi’, ‘Yaad Piya Ki Ane Lagi’ and ‘Meri Choonar Ud Ud Jaye’, has an incredible fan following over the last two decades. The 53-year-old “Dandiya queen” is known for her famous Navratri tours in India and the US and fans just love her.
In India it is said that there can be no grand Navratri celebrations in any metro city without Falguni Pathak! Here too, Angelenos decided to give an early call of celebration with the ‘Dandiya Queen’ in town and Navratri just around the corner.
The program that was organized by Instant Karma and Dhoom Productions saw a houseful in attendance with nearly 3500 people joining the ‘Garba Queen’ in singing and dancing non-stop from 8 pm to 1 am.
By the time Pathak took the stage, the venue had turned into a glitzy bubble of joy and revelry. The leading lady in black pants and red embroidered jacket commanded a sort of devotion from all generations because of her talent to identify folk, pop and Bollywood songs which resonated with the fans.
The dance floor that spread across approximately 150-acre, almost the size of a big football field, was jam packed. The night seemed never ending with the enthusiastic crowd dancing and grooving to Pathak’s famous songs late into the night. As the venue hall was packed, many could be seen dancing outside too in groups to songs like ‘Jodi Rejo Raaj’, ‘Pari Hoon Main’, ‘Mumbai Se Aya Mera Dost’, ‘Mahisagar Ni Aadhe Dhol Vaage Che’ and the very popular ‘Nagade Sang Dhol Baaje’ from ‘Bajirao Mastani’.
During the 5-hour long show, Pathak, who sang with her band Ta Thaiya, serenaded thousands of fans who came from all over the US, and even India, to watch her perform.
Not just that, fans had signed up for dance classes a few months in advance and purchased the best costumes for the grand show.
The program that was divided into two segments witnessed the second round around 11 PM when the dandiyas came out and people eagerly danced to a four beat rhythm.. By the end of the evening, the venue seemed more like a battlefield as people fought for space, and dancers competed with new moves and props. But fans never missed a beat and did not mind the commotion and chaos.
Delicious food items were served to guests at reasonable prices during the whole show, which was surely a ticket to a magical place.
Pathak, who became famous with songs like ‘Maine Payal Hai Chankayi’, ‘Yaad Piya Ki Ane Lagi’ and ‘Meri Choonar Ud Ud Jaye’, has an incredible fan following over the last two decades. The 53-year-old “Dandiya queen” is known for her famous Navratri tours in India and the US and fans just love her.
In India it is said that there can be no grand Navratri celebrations in any metro city without Falguni Pathak! Here too, Angelenos decided to give an early call of celebration with the ‘Dandiya Queen’ in town and Navratri just around the corner.
The program that was organized by Instant Karma and Dhoom Productions saw a houseful in attendance with nearly 3500 people joining the ‘Garba Queen’ in singing and dancing non-stop from 8 pm to 1 am.
By the time Pathak took the stage, the venue had turned into a glitzy bubble of joy and revelry. The leading lady in black pants and red embroidered jacket commanded a sort of devotion from all generations because of her talent to identify folk, pop and Bollywood songs which resonated with the fans.
The dance floor that spread across approximately 150-acre, almost the size of a big football field, was jam packed. The night seemed never ending with the enthusiastic crowd dancing and grooving to Pathak’s famous songs late into the night. As the venue hall was packed, many could be seen dancing outside too in groups to songs like ‘Jodi Rejo Raaj’, ‘Pari Hoon Main’, ‘Mumbai Se Aya Mera Dost’, ‘Mahisagar Ni Aadhe Dhol Vaage Che’ and the very popular ‘Nagade Sang Dhol Baaje’ from ‘Bajirao Mastani’.
During the 5-hour long show, Pathak, who sang with her band Ta Thaiya, serenaded thousands of fans who came from all over the US, and even India, to watch her perform.
Not just that, fans had signed up for dance classes a few months in advance and purchased the best costumes for the grand show.
The program that was divided into two segments witnessed the second round around 11 PM when the dandiyas came out and people eagerly danced to a four beat rhythm.. By the end of the evening, the venue seemed more like a battlefield as people fought for space, and dancers competed with new moves and props. But fans never missed a beat and did not mind the commotion and chaos.
Delicious food items were served to guests at reasonable prices during the whole show, which was surely a ticket to a magical place.