Recent three week ends in Highlands Ranch & Recreation

RECENT THREE WEEK ENDS IN HIGHLANDS RANCH & RECREATION

( i ) There was a Carnatic Music Concert last week, held in the Hindu Temple in Highlands Ranch , and one Sri Ram from California was the singer. Sri Ram is a desciple of Lalgudi Jayaraman and the concert commenced in the evening at 6.15 p.m. We reached the temple just 5 minutes before. Sri Ram was clad in double dhoti with large ' zari ' border and a starched white jibba. He gave a look of below 30. He was tall and gave a pleasant and intelligent look without any air.

He began with a keerthana in Bahudhari raga set to adhi tala. Abhohi followed Bahudhari with a fine mettle. Sri Ram delivered Amruthavarshini next in a style reflecting what Amruthavarshini really means. Sahana is known for its melody and the there was concurrence in its rendition by the musician, to this effect in the raga alapana . The main song Sr Ram chose was " Oh Rangasayee " and he brought out the elements of kambhodi in great details. The kalpana swaram was lifting in rhythm & poetic in appeal. Shanmugapriya was taken up as a piece of ragam and thanam and pallavi was rendered in ragamalika. There was a ' Vritham ' , sung devotionally and the audience appeared to be in a state of trance when the singer was wandering in the high octaves. Sri Ram was well accompanied by Smt. Nirtya in the violin, again a desciple of Lalgudi . Kanjira and Mirudhangam was played by one and the same man in appropriate style. Both the accompanying artists are the residents of Highlands Ranch ( Denver ) only.

The women audience looked as if they were from Mambalam and Mylapore areas and there was no doubt that carnatic music was running in their blood as exhibited by their gestures reciprocating the ' tala ' and ' bhava '. We returned home by 9.15 p.m., heart filled with vibrant music.

(ii) In the mid afternoon of previous week end , we were at Chat field State Park. The Park has a beautiful setting with a diversified ecosystems.Visitors admire the Chat field's rolling foot-hills, expansive reservoir. Abundant wild life exists in the arena but we did not go deep inside. We sat on the shores of the Chat field Lake and mingled with Highlands residents.. Boating is a common activity in the lake. The park has a reputation as a popular area for launching hot air balloons. I was given to understand that 15 lakhs tourists visit the park in a year. The Chat field Park is just 6k.m. from Aparna's residence.

(iii) Yesterday evening, Highlands District Metro, organised a " Ice-cream Social ", in the Civic Green Park which is located at the heart of Highlands ranch. The Park is a favorite among the residents. Civic green park hosts family picnics, community events, The park is being built in six phases where funding is required.

There is an Am phi theater graced on each side by bright purple penstemon flowers. Flowers which are drought-tolerant flourish in Green Park. There is a wading pool with an interactive fountain , children celebrate the evenings especially in summer splashing the water with spirit and enthusiasm. An attractive monument is at the entrance. The play ground areas have a green patch. Shelters with benches and picnic tables and having electrical connections are available and they can be booked in advance for convenience. Rest rooms are available in the park. Providing automatic drinking water stands is a retrieving picture in the park.

Additional amenities like new shelters, picnic tables are being added. Park is filled with children who climb the popular structures and play. A huge basement car park area helps the visitors to park their cars comfortably.

Coming to the " ICE - CREAM SOCIAL ", it was a big success. The highlands residents stood in different Qs with their children. the Q was moving very orderly. Children, both boys and girls in age group of 8 to 14 were the volunteers and they dug the laddle deep into the different cans and served with a smile, strawberry, Vanila, Chocolate, Fruit ice-creams in a bowl in addition to cone ice cream. Like the attractive co lours of Ice-creams, their attire also seemed to match, more so were their smiles. We purchased some co loured ribbon bands at a nominal price to collect five varieties of unlimited ice-creams. We spread the blanket on the lawn and squatted in front of the stadium and tasted the Ice-creams - they were tasty , fresh and and good.

In the stadium, orchestra was on play where 35 to 40 artists dressed in an immaculate white shirts and pitch dark pants were seen in swift action in tune with the direction of the Conductor.

The interesting part was little Karthik was seen dancing to the rhythm along with some other children in the open area in front of the stadium. He was gesticulating in line with the drum beat with his hands and body. Perhaps he has an ear for music.

The Ice-Cream Social was yesterday.