Music and dance spice up Samosa fete

By George Orido

The fifth edition of the Samosa Festival addresses social ills such as corruption, tribalism, and moral rot through a rich menu of plays, music, photography, and film.

Using the theme Creating Cultural Encounters, the festival has brought together Kenyans of all races and tribes. The special guests on the list are the African-Indians known as Sidis – all the way from India.

For those who visited Mombasa in the 1990s, they remember Kenya’s second largest city for its cleanliness. When one walked on the streets, there was no fear of being mugged and there were no open sewers. The people’s great hospitality was captivating. If you describe that state of the city to residents and visitors, they may think you read it in a book.

This poor state of affairs is a result of the Mombasa City Council’s choice of nepotism, sycophancy, sleaze and incessant infighting, instead of returning the city to its former glory.

Personal glory

This account of events is depicted in Kuldip Sondhi’s play, Tides, that has featured in the festival in Nairobi.

The plot is hemmed by a spice of love and hate. Tides, which is directed by Hillary Daid Namanje and Agnes Nanjosi, is a tale of citizens generating high tides that ebb away the core of social mores and norms as they pursue personal glory.

“We are really excited about showing this play, just months to elections. It urges voters to think twice before making their choice of leaders,” says Namanje.

The cast is a basket of talent including Ibrahim Chitahi, Ashik Yussuf, Caroline Mutua, and Enos Opiyo, among others.

Film is not the only attention grabbing event taking place at the festival. At the entrance of Louis Leakey Auditorium, there is a breathtaking photographic exhibition of Kenya’s people.

Taken by Kenya’s Neil Thomas, the photos are a glimpse and reflection of our rich cultural heritage and diversity.

Set against varied Kenyan landscape, the pictures remind viewers that the country’s largest population live in rural areas. The photography celebrates their resilience.

And there has been plenty of music here with refreshing renditions.

Take for instance George Babu’s orutu version of the Kenyan anthem at the beginning of a dance by Sidi Goma troupe from Gujarati, India.

The master of orutu, who plays for Suzanna Owiyo in her evergreen hit, Kisumu 100, pleasantly surprised many when he beautifully rendered the anthem with his single-stringed instrument. He got a standing ovation for his performance.

“I am so happy I can express my patriotism through the medium I love most,” says Babu.

Just like Samosa is incomplete without some pepper, the festival had a slot of seasoned Hadithi storytellers led by Alumbe Namai. Together with Githanda son of Githae and Zamaleo’s John Mukeni two new faces were on stage – Krushnat Patel and Vikash Patni.

The group entertained with an art of animated banter, chants, music, sing-along tunes, narration, persuasive dramatics, and  dance.

Kersi Rustomjee’s poem, Ode to the Indian Dukawalla, opened the stage for the poets to persuade through their rhythm, simile and rhyme.

The ode is a special tribute to the contribution of the Indian community to Kenya’s modern society since the building of the railway.