Pune, September 11: FOR 14 of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s most talented youngsters, this year’s Ganesh festival promises to be an unforgettable one: They are all set to partake in the celebrations in faraway Mauritius, a country with a sizeable Maharashtrian presence.

Performers at Nrityakala Mandir in Nigdi — an institute that promotes Indian classical and folk dances — these teenagers have been invited by the Mauritius Marathi Mandal Federation to perform during Ganesh Chaturthi to be held from September 14 to 19, a festival the federation has been organising for several years now. Nrityakala Mandir founder Tejashree Adige told Newsline that a group of 18 people, including the 14 performers, will leave on Thursday for the six-day cultural tour that will include performances at Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, and Newgrove City.

“It will be a proud moment for Pimpri-Chinchwad as the group will be performing in front of an august gathering to comprise Mauritius Prime Minister Dr Naveenchandra Ramgulam besides cabinet ministers Mahendra Gwresoo and Sheelabye Bappoo,” Adige said, adding the invitation is the first of its kind extended to any classical dance institute in the town.

Adige is directing and choreographing the songs and dances, to be based on traditional themes. Six-year-old Prachi Pilwalkar, who is a national dance contest winner, will perform a solo piece, while the opening composition Isha Stuti — composed by Nandin Sarin — will be performed Adige herself.

Prasahant Shinde, to perform a folk piece, said he has participated in the popular TV show Boogie Woogie besides the Pimpri-Chinchwad Festival. “I’m looking forward to this tour as I will get an opportunity to perform in front of the Prime Minister,” he said.

Another student, Rutuja Deshetti, is doubly thrilled especially because she missed a tour of France last year. “The thought of performing during Ganesh festival in a foreign country excites me,” said Deshetti, a student of Modern College in Yamunanagar. Pranoti Kulkarni, an engineering student of Pimpri-Chinchwad Polytechnic College, said she was “absolutely excited” about the tour, which will help her showcase her talent before a world audience.

Santosh Ghante will perform a solo piece with the harmonium, while Kedar Deshpande will take care of the rhythm. Other troupe members include Pranoti Kulkarni, Namita Talekar, Pranali Kulkarni, Shradhha Mandalecha, Amit Dubey and Priya Pilwalkar. The two-hour shows will be compered by Ajita Tilak and Devika Shetty.