Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai: Not too long ago the Shiv Sena brigade used to go on a rampage on the occasion of Valentines’ Day, damaging shops selling greeting cards and attacking couples in parks and elsewhere. It seems the party has now decided to groove with the times.
At a function held on Monday in Sion to mark the first anniversary of Shiv Sena’s youth-wing, the Yuva Sena, those present at Shanmukhananda Hall were treated to raunchy dance numbers by skimpily-clad women. Sheila ki jawani..., Jalebi bai...the dancers ‘entertained’ the guests, including Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray.
And, apparently, not to offend the ‘Marathi Manoos’ sentiment some Marathi dance numbers were also performed.
Adding to the glamour quotient were disco lights and a whistling audience packed to capacity in the auditorium.
The dias on which dancers ‘entertained’ the crowd had larger than life images of Sena chief Bal Thackeray, his son Uddhav and grandson Aditya, who heads the youth wing.
Later, when asked whether the raunchy dance-fest indicated a departure for the Shiv Sena, which once claimed itself to be the custodian of Indian and Marathi culture, Uddhav chose to stay mum.
He, however, did tell the crowd that the changes had become necessary.
“Times have changed and you have to talk with the youth in their language. I am happy with their progress,” Uddhav was quoted as saying by a newspaper.
First Published: Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 13:22