Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
Anglos have the ball of a time
Anglo-Indians having a gala time at the 'Unity Ball' . --Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
It was half past nine at night. The small gathering, dressed in its best, was cooling its heels at a vintage hall. As more and more men, women and children arrived, those who were already present rose from their seats and welcomed the women and children with a tender kiss on their cheeks and men with a handshake and a friendly hug.
The atmosphere outside was getting cold in contrast to the growing warmth inside the hall. The young men and women could no longer resist the temptation as the foot-tapping English numbers invited them to shake their legs with their partners. The revelry, which started on Friday, continued till the wee hours of Saturday.
This is not a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. It was the Anglo-Indians of the City of Destiny having a ball of a time at the `Unity Ball' organised by the Visakhapatnam branch of the All-India Anglo-Indian Association at the South Eastern Railway Institute, near the railway station.
A vibrant and fun-loving community, it has retained its cultural identity, despite being rooted for generations in India. A majority of the girls turned up wearing tight pants and shirts, frocks and minis. A few, however, wore Punjabi dresses and saris, reflecting the regional influences on them.
The festive season for the community commences with their members attending the prayer service at Ross Hill church for nine days from November 29. The community members get together and go around the city heralding the festive season by singing carols. Children look out for the arrival of Santa Claus with special gifts.
The celebrations have undergone a sea change over the years with most of the community members preferring a single platform as they believe in `the more, the merrier'. Incidentally, a vast majority of the Anglo-Indians are Railway employees and they live in Railway colonies. Hitherto, the celebrations used to be held separately in the colonies. The venue has since been shifted to the S.E. Railway Institute.
The association had organised sports and fancy dress competitions for children of members up to 12 years of age at the St. Aloysius' High School on December 21. A Christmas dance was held at the S.E. Railway Institute on December 25. A beauty contest based on the concept `Beauty and Brains' was also held on the occasion.
"The Christmas celebrations begin at midnight of the Christmas-eve. The Christians of the city, most of whom are Catholics, like to attend the midnight mass and greet their family members and friends," says Frederick Pereira, president of the association's Visakhapatnam branch.
On the New Year-eve, the association conducts competitions in dances - Jive, Fox-Trot and Disco - at the Railway Institute. The celebrations begin at 7 p.m. and the young and old join the fun. A grand march is held around 11.45 p.m., in which couples form a queue and take out a unity rally. It is followed by a bonfire and singing of community songs by the members.
A grand display of fireworks is organised and as the clock strikes 12, the participants and guests greet each other and the revelry continues late into the night. "Though various organisations and star hotels in the city hold New Year-eve celebrations, ours is the most sought after as the Anglo-Indians are a vibrant and fun-loving community. No wonder even non-Anglos look forward eagerly to join the fun," says Frederick.
"The president-in-chief, Neil O'Brien, has directed the branches all over the country to hold the celebrations on a spectacular scale as it marks the 125th anniversary of the All-India Anglo-Indian Association," says Frederick.
B. MADHU GOPAL
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
