Scenes from the celebration of Nepal Day and arrival of Nepali New Year 2070. Over 300 people celebrated the night in a family-based environment and welcomed the arrival of new year 2070 Bikram Sambat.
HOUSTON: Nepalese Association of Houston (NAH) organized a social and cultural evening to celebrate Nepal Day and the arrival of Nepali New Year 2070 B.S. on April 13. During the Non-resident Nepali Conference 2010 held in Houston, Mayor Annise Parker had recognized to celebrate Nepal Day in Houston every year. Since then, NAH has been organizing various events and programs in Houston City to celebrate the tradition, culture, heritage and identity of Nepali diasporas in Houston.”Houston is home away from home for many of Nepalese now. It is a matter of our pride and pleasure to be able to celebrate our national culture in the great city of Houston every year”, said Madhukar Amatya who was re-elected as the NAH President for second term in October, last year.
This year’s Nepal Day celebration included a blood donation drive on March 30 at NAH office located in the Hillcroft area. Over 35 people donated blood during the event. Jyoti Ghimire, the coordinator of the event underscored the importance of blood drive, “blood is fundamental to human life and one of the easiest way to help to save lives”. Similarly, on April 6 Nepal Day Soccer Tournament was organized at Memorial Park where 6 Nepalese soccer teams competed in the one day event. On the eve of Nepali New Year 2070, the Nepal Day celebration was marked by children art competition, family fashion show, cultural program, and dj night at Taj Hall located in the Hillcroft area.
The children art competition theme was Angry Bird Goes to Nepal. Angry Bird has become a popular computer game that is enjoyed by millions of children and even adults around the world every day. Angry Bird-Rio, a movie based on Angry Bird that was released last year also enjoyed a great success among its fan. We want our children that are being raised here to remain connected with Nepal, and such art competition helps us the children to connect USA and Nepal creatively stated the General Secretary of NAH, Dr. Rupak Rauniar. The cultural program hosted several Nepali folk dances and recital of national songs from Nepal. Over 300 people celebrated the night in a family-based environment and welcomed the arrival of new year 2070 Bikram Sambat.
As the Nepalese community in Houston continues to grow in the Houston area, events and functions like this helps to preserve the rich South Asian culture in the city.
Dr. Ratheesh Radhakrishnan and KTRU’s Varsha Vakil at the film festival at Rice Cinema.
HOUSTON: KTRU’s Navrang show expands its understanding of India’s Experimental films by hosting two informative interviews. The first interview on Saturday, April 6 was with director Gurvinder Singh, India’s 2011 National Award winner for the Punjabi film Anhe Ghore Da Daan (Alms for the Blind Horse). KTRU’s Navrang show director Varsha Vakil introduced listeners to this film through the lens of Gurvinder Singh. Samhita Sunya, a Rice University graduate student accompanied in the conversation and shared information about the film festival.
A lively interview ensued in which Singh spoke about his journey from journalism to film school to his making of critically-acclaimed 2011 feature that won National Awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Direction in Punjabi films. Singh explained on KTRU that the film was adapted from a Punjabi novel by the same name written by Gurdial Singh, to whom a Jnanpith (highest Indian literary honor) was awarded in 2000.
Alms for the blind horse, Singh clarified is a phrase that refers to a custom by which alms are requested in the name of a blind horse on the night of a lunar eclipse. However, the film – like the novel – does not take up this idea in any literal fashion, but rather explores it symbolically, as it tells the story of a community of poor farmers who continue their everyday struggles within a feudal structure controlled by landowners – a structure that remains in place despite other changes in size, growth, transportation, and technology that have overtaken the rural town.
The second interview was hosted on Saturday, April 13 with the Festival of Experimental Films from India’s curator, the visiting humanities scholar Dr. Ratheesh Radhakrishnan from the Indian Institute of Technology-Mumbai. The festival showcased contemporary experimental films as well as a retrospective of films by the renowned, late filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak. Dr. Radhakrishnan pointed out the coincidental connection between director Gurvinder Singh’s mentor late Mani Kaul, a student of Ghatak, and the retrospective of Ritwik Ghatak at the festival.
Houstonians devoured this rare treat hosted at Rice University. This one of a kind film festival was free to the public and commenced at Rice Cinema (Rice Media Center) on April 5 and ended on April 15. The festival was presented by Rice University’s Chao Center of Asian Studies in conjunction with the Rice Visual and Dramatic Arts Department.
Legendary filmmaker Ritwik Kumar Ghatak films at the festival were the Golden Line, The Cloud Capped Star, A Soft Note on a Sharp Scale and A River Called Titash. Dr. Radhakrishnan emphasized on KTRU the innate artistry captured in each of these films and the brilliance in direction exhibited by Ritwik Ghatak. Varsha praised other extraordinary films at the festival – Miss Lovely, Bidesia in Bambai and Nainsukh.
Navrang show is one of KTRU’s specialty shows. Navrang show airs on Saturday’s from 10am to noon. Listen to the 24/7 radio station via ktru.org, iheartradio app, iPhone and droid apps or on the dial at 90.1FM HD2. For more information about KTRU’s Navrang show email ktru@ktru.org.
Arzan Gonda (center first row) with her Rhythm India dance troupe after their performance at the Toyota Center last Friday, April 12. John Donovan with the Toyota Center is on the upper left. Photo: Navin Mediwala.
HOUSTON: It didn’t seem like a year had slipped by since the last time Arzan Gonda and her troupe were on the waxed, shiny, yellow floor of the Toyota Center, but here they were again making the whole arena pulsate with Bollywood music and a happy, energetic dance number, hallmarks of Rhythm India’s brand of performance.
They started off like a poised drill team, hands at their sides, arms straight down and waited for the music. When it came on, it was like a dynamo had been let loose and a torrent of feet ran across the floor, arms teasing the air and bodies swaying in rhythm with the pounding beat, excited eyes and smiling faces with delighted expressions connecting with the seated spectators.
In the stands were many South Asians who had come to see the ball game between the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies (Houston lost by four points!) and some of them, like Bikram Singh and his wife Kanchan, waved to the dancers they knew. Other Houstonians sat there, amused at the performance, but totally engrossed in it.
This was the fourth time in as many years at the Rockets game for Arzan and her Rhythm India group and they already knew the drill even before they got to the floor. They had done a final rehearsal earlier on the first floor, letting out huge screams to let off energy and get the adrenaline going and then they were led down by John Donovan, with the Toyota Center, to the tunnel that opens to the floor and waited in excitement for the game to come to half-time.
The dancing was spellbinding, all ten minutes on that arena floor and the whole show was televised and also projected on the huge, new overhanging monitors. Some of the dancers had done this before in previous years; for others it was their first time in front of 18,000 spectators. All in all, it never ceased to be a rush and the crazy Bollywood music just heightened the experience.
Last year, the bhangra groups intervened with the dhols; this year it was just the fun of dancing in abandonment for four minutes that was a pleasure to watch, though it seemed longer … and then it was over just as fast.
And when it was over, the dancers let out whoops of excitement and rushed off down the tunnel to their rehearsal area, delighted that they had a chance to show their moves and add to the fabric of the city for all Houstonians to watch.
HOUSTON: If there was a Telugu concert you wanted to attend, then Radio Hungama Super Singers Musical Nite was the one. The singers enthralled audience with their performances. The songs ranged back from the 60’s movies to the latest hits such as Mirchi, Nayak and Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu.
Sridhar Dadi and Radio Hungama in association with North American Telugu Society (NATS) presented Telugu community with a memorable evening. As expected, Houston’s Telugu community was very receptive to the idea of MAA TV, Super Singers fame singers performing live and entertaining them on different tunes.
The crowd started pouring in as early as an hour and half before the scheduled start. Prudential Insurance entertained kids with Balloon twisting and Metlife with Henna tattoo for ladies. The pleasing aspect of the show was people of all age group enjoyed the show and everyone socialized and lined up for the Remit2india raffle (a Wii game console and a Digital Camera). Mayuri Indian Restaurant had a stall for the ones who wanted a quick snack.
The show started with Sridhar Dadi introducing Super Singers, Usha Munukutla, popularly known as Usha, Bhargavi Pillai, and Dinker Kaluvala, known as Dinker. Usha is a well known singer in the Telugu Movie industry with various hit numbers from movies such as Indra, Santosham, Varhsam, Jayam and many more. Bhargavi Pillai is famous for the hindi song Pappu Can’t Dance and Dinker, the super singers star is quickly establishing himself in the industry.
As with all typical Indian events, the show started with pooja and diya (lamp lighting), which was done by the Emcee Sridhar Dadi, co-host Raaga and NATS members, Venkat Kolli, Vijay Velamuri, Rajesh Chilukuri and Chalasani Mallikarjuna Rao. Vijay Velamuri and Rajesh Chilukuri of NATS came all the way from Dallas to exclusively attend the event.
The evening kicked off with Usha singing a devotional/semi classical song. And from there, it was pure entertainment for the audience. Speaking to one of the attendees, Bhupendra Bhupathi said “Ambiance, the sound system, LED lights, intelligent lights, backdrop all added to the event and were appropriate to the high energy event.” He also said he was glad that he got the tickets well in advance and was happy that he got all his money worth. Remit2India also offered free tickets to 5 lucky prize couples through an online contest at www.remit2india.com/hungama.
Vijay Velamuri and Rajesh Chilukuri spoke during the break about their upcoming 3rd Annual NATS convention in Dallas at the Irving Convention Center in July 2013. Tina Bose and Kiron Kumar of Infused performing arts infused further energy in the atmosphere by their impressive dance performance to a Telugu Medley. The dance moves were quite superb and left the audience in awe.
Songs from movies such as Simha, Santosham, Nayak, Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu, Dookudu, Businessman and many more chart busters entertained the audience. Audience was captivated by the singing from the artists. Energy that Bhargavi Pillai brought to show was contagious, children and adults stood up and danced to her songs and some joined her on stage and danced. If Bhargavi Pillai was contagious then Usha was melodious. The audience was surprised by the other talent of Usha, mimicry. Imitation of other singers and performers brought laughter to audience and one of the host quipped Usha to start her own standup comedy act. The crowd was also receptive to Hindi songs and Usha obliged to their requests and did sing some beautiful Hindi and Telugu songs. Dinker also pitched in with his euphonious voice. Sirivuri, one of the attendees said “Dinker reminds me a little bit of both S.P and Sonu Nigam”
The packed auditorium enjoyed every bit of the evening and reluctantly left at 11:15 PM. Vijay Velamuri, Rajesh Chilukuri, and Asha Dadi presented mementos to Super singers Usha, Bhargavi Pillai and Dinker.
Sridhar Dadi took the opportunity to thank each and every one who made the show a success. He thanked all sponsors, volunteers, Radio Hungama team, Infused Performing arts and last but not the least everyone associated with Houston Durgabari Society for their great support. He also said he is very sentimental about the place and is very grateful for their resources. He also thanked Photographers Abhinav Sagar and Jayanth Rahul, DJ Darshak Takkar for a superb sound system and the special lights that captivated the audience. Sridhar also thanked University of Houston students Anusha, Jayanth and Rakshith for all their help.
With many positive comments from the audience such as “A+ for arrangements by Rajasekhar Yellamanchili”, “One of the best shows in the recent times…. very well organized” and “want a second show with the artists”, we can certainly expect something similar soon from Sridhar Dadi.
Talking to Sridhar Dadi about the success of the event he said, “There was a lot of planning that went into it. With support of our sponsors NATS, Remit2india, Prudential Insurance, Sulekha.com, Vonage, Vishala Grocery Store and Restaurant, Mayuri Indian Restaurant, Metlife Insurance and Radio Hungama team we were able to bring such good artists to perform live in Houston. We started planning/research about the type of songs that people of Houston enjoy very early. We expected a very good turnout but a sold out event, days before the show, was something that was not anticipated. A lot of folks were keen to attend the show, but we had to regretfully say no to them. The VIP tickets were sold out many weeks in advance. If the community continues to support such events we will be more than glad to bring it to them. I take this opportunity to thank Radio Hungama team of Sasi Lingineni, Hema Nalini, Sanket Kulkarni, Amitha Kulkarni, Nandu Boddeda, Anu Dadi, Raaga Vahini, Srinivas Gummadi, Ravi Kasani, Ranga Tirumalasetty, Srinivas Badam, Jayanthi Badam and Narayana Swamy”. He also added that he was grateful to the Houston Telugu Community for appreciating the effort and attending the show.
Radio Hungama airs every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on KCHN AM 1050. You can also listen to their shows on internet at www.Radiohungama.net. For any further information you can contact Sridhar Dadi directly at 281-217-9736. You can listen to their 24 hour Telugu radio channel on Radio Hungama website.
Rehan Siddiqi with Strings. Photos: Meedu’s Fotografy
HOUSTON: Rahat Fateh Ali khan will be performing in Houston in the Reliant Arena on April 20. Rehan Siddiqi of Hum Tum Shows who has brought many successful shows in the past, is the show promoter and the mastermind behind organizing this show in Houston. He recently presented Houston, in the last three weeks with two successful shows, Adnan Sami and Strings. Both shows were sold out events. The audience enjoyed Adnan Sami show a lot and the team had to put together a second performance which was also a sold out event.
Rehan has a passion for doing shows and is an expert in organizing them well, in a way very different from others. The sound, light, and stage management in his shows are exceptional; he adds a personal touch to every element of the show, which make him different from all other promoters. He works hard and delivers top quality shows by working on the minutest details. The entire Houston audience believes in him and knows that if a show is organized under his banner, it will be a world-class event.
A sold out Adnan Sami show.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will be arriving in Houston next Wednesday, on April 17 for a special VIP meet and greet event. Rehan Siddiqi has put together this event after convincing Rahat to make a special visit during the week, before his concert. Rehan Said, “This will be a special meet and greet event exclusively in Houston on Wednesday April 17, and is organized for VIPs and Houston’s media. It is a party to kick start Rahat’s North American 2013 tour.”
Rehan Siddiqi promises that the upcoming concert will be a totally different one as compared to the past performances that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has given. Rahat will be landing directly in Houston to initiate his North American 2013 tour consisting of his performances in over 25 cities across USA, Canada and the Caribbean.
The group will be arriving inHouston on April 17 and will leave for the Dallas show and will return to Houston on Saturday April 20, where Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform in front of an estimated audience of over 8500 people at the Reliant Arena. With a group of over 20 musician performing all his latest hits like Dagabaaz Re, Halki Halki Khumarian, Tere Mast Mast Do Nain, to his amazing qawalis and all major hit songs.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s, LasVegas concert was recently televised on Star and since then fans are going crazy for the tickets. His performance is world class, he is one of the best performer in the world with number one rating across South Asia.
This year there is a special sound company who will be touring with the maestro ensuring that the audiences get top class sound across the tour. Therefore, get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the biggest performance of this year!
In conclusion, Rehan Siddiqi says, “This is a very special treat for Rahat fans and all I can say is one world, one voice, billion followers, so Houston get ready for the best performance ever at Reliant Arena on April 20.
For tickets, visit www.sulekha.com or www.desiclub.com.
Tickets also available in stores at Patel Brothers, Keemat Grocers and World Food Warehouse.
For group ticketing Call Rehan Siddiqi at 713-545-4115.
Leeann Randolph speaking about Houston Area Parkinson Society. Also present were Jeevan Nair, Dr. Sulabha Hardikar, Mayor Delores Martin and Narayanan Sathiamoorthy
MANVEL, TX: The basis of Indian culture is to recognize divinity in everything—in prayer and worship; in people, in nature, in places and in objects; and also in work, vocation, charity and art—and to offer these actions and their results back to God.
Global Organization for Divinity (G.O.D.) strived to do just that for the third anniversary celebrations of its Houston Namadwaar Prayer House. And it appeared that the heavens too were pleased as it was a perfect, pleasant afternoon for the outdoor celebrations on Saturday, March 30.
Nagara Sankirtan
Humanity and Divinity are inseparable. This being one of the tenets behind G.O.D.’s mission, several community projects as well as charitable-giving programs are conducted by G.O.D. throughout the year. As a special commemoration of Namadwaar’s third anniversary, G.O.D. was privileged this year to present a substantial donation of medical supplies to Houston Area Parkinson Society and of food and clothes to SEARCH Homeless Services, in the presence of chief guests, Honorable Mayor Delores Martin of Manvel city and Dr. Sulabha Hardikar, retired physician and active community member.
Kid’s performance
Following this, a number of cultural events were presented as an offering to the Divine:
An entertaining musical play was staged by young children who are part of G.O.D.’s “Gopa Kuteeram” Indian heritage program. Kids from Cypress, Pearland and other parts of Houston along with a few visiting children from Dallas, sang, danced and playacted an interesting incident about Lord Panduraga and Naraharisonar – that conveyed the message that God is one and that one should not hold any bias or animosity towards different forms of the one God.
Vaishnavi Narasimhan with Deepa Ramachandran and Vijay Ramamurthi
Surabi Veeraragavan, a talented Bharatanatyam dancer, gave a graceful, expressive and majestic performance of three pieces that depicted various leelas of the Lord where He saved and protected His devotees. The performance was truly moving and held the audience spellbound. The songs that Surabi danced to were composed by His Holiness Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji of India, who is the inspiration behind G.O.D. The songs for this performance were sung by Uma Ranganathan and accompanied by Deepa Ramachandran on violin and Karun Salvady on mridangam.
The final cultural performance of the afternoon was accomplished singer Vaishnavi Narasimhan’s classical Indian vocal concert. Ably accompanied by Deepa Ramachandran on violin and Vijay Ramamurthi on mridangam, Vaishnavi enthralled the listeners with her rich rendering of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji’s compositions. Her melodious voice wonderfully brought out the beautiful meanings of the songs, even as she enhanced the rendition with superb classical improvisations.
Surabi Veeraragavan.
Thara Narasimhan of Hindus of Greater Houston, who was a special guest at the event, gave a short talk appreciating all the artistes and their performances including the little children of Gopa Kuteeram. She also congratulated Namadwaar on completing three years of service and expressed her appreciation and support for G.O.D.’s activities.
At the end of the program, a Prayer for Peace was conducted by Sriram Ramanujam where he compared the Namadwaar to a “Divine Name Bank”. Divinity manifests itself in any place where God’s name is chanted continuously. And hence, he said (repeating his Master’s words), that a Namadwaar was akin to a bank. When we deposit a few “Names” (chants) in it, we reap huge dividends in the form of Divine Grace and all our prayers are fulfilled. Everyone then took a minute to silently offer their own personal prayers, and the Divine Names of God were then sung in unison.
Other highlight events during the prayer house’s weekend-long anniversary celebrations were 12-hour continuous chanting of the Divine Names on Thursday and Friday with prayers for peace in the neighborhood, city, state, country and the entire world. There were also discourses by Sri Narayanan Sathiamoorthy of Boston, MA and Sri Ramaswamy Subramaniam of Susanville, CA on Saturday.
On Sunday, G.O.D. was joined by other Houston organizations and together they conducted a Nagara Sankirtan (chanting the Divine Names on the streets) in the streets around Namadwaar in Pearland/Manvel area.
For more information about Namadwaar or Global Organization for Divinity and its activities, visit www.godivinity.org, email houston.god@godivinity.org or call 281-402-6585.
HOUSTON: Give a group of enthusiastic, inventive and talented teenagers a stage and you get an evening of pure unadulterated fun.
The Clear Lake High School ICC student body organized India Night, an annual cultural evening and dinner on March 30to showcase the talents of its 70 odd members during its evening of music, dance, fashion and drama.
The show began with one of the emcees, Will Alexander, running into an old classmate Jahnavi Shriram (the other emcee) in India. Thanks to Jahnavi, the anything-Indian loving Will gets a firsthand taste of Indian culture and Bollywood masti.
The sizeable crowd that turned up to root for the participants stood to attention for the American and Indian National Anthems sung excellently by Emory Duncan and Sumedha Rao. This was followed by Emory’s group which promised to “rock us” and, boy, did they deliver on their promise!
Deeksha Madala and Divya Koyyalagunta doing a dance medley.
Rohini and Pratyusha kicked off the evening with a lovely fusion dance – Dheem Tat Tai followed by Mere Dholna Sun – where a graceful Nikita danced to the tune of the lyrically gifted Lekha Yesantharao. Uff Teri Ada by Ayushi, Khushboo, Kaajol and Kaanan, Dil Mera Muft Ka by Lajja and Roma, a dance medley by Divya and Deeksha and a Fashion Show added to the fun of the evening.
A valiant and hilarious effort to sing the title song of the Aamir Khan starrer was made by the Rang De Basanti team followed by the pulse pounding Sadda Haq where drummer Aden Fuestel was brilliant. Divya’s soulful Mitwa, Vishmi’s confident rendition of Yeh Ishq Ha Hai, Romil’s Sadda Haq and Kishan, Vasu and Faraaz’s Roobaroo is more than proof that one doesn’t need to grow up in India to sing Hindi songs well.
The evening’s highlight was the skit depicting a class in India. Akilan’s impersonation of a stereotypical cane wielding abrasive class teacher was simply outstanding. The back and forth play between the students and the teacher, the corny one liners, the strolling-into-class American from Kentucky who wants a tardy pass had the audiences erupting with appreciative laughter.
President Nishant Raman acknowledged the efforts of all the people who helped put together the show which included the backstage and technical team that worked the show without a hitch. Teachers Dass and Goradia were also thanked for their support, encouragement and advice. The proceeds of the evening would be donated to Pratham, USA, for the education of economically backward children in India.
The evening wrapped up with the Seniors lining up to perform a lively dance medley to Bollywood chartbusters building in a funny storyline about a Wrangler honcho who falls for a desi girl. More proof that even though we may be miles away from India, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani!
Ararti Ankalikar’s mian ki malhar composition, originally rendered for Tansen, mesmerized the audience and literally caused the clouds to thunders and bring showers over St. Thomas University’s Jones Hall.
Classical music vocalist Arati Ankalikar (center) was accompanied by Pandit Shantilal Shah on the tabla, Varsha Halbe on the tanpura, Aparna Shah on vocals and Milind Kulkarni on the harmonium. In the second half, Sruti Sample was the accompanist on the tanpura.
By Jyoti Kulkarni
HOUSTON: When classical singer Tansen sang raag Mian ki Malhar at King Akbar’s court, legend has it that clouds would thunder and showers would begin sprinkling over the city of Delhi.
Modern-day classical music vocalist Arati Ankalikar accomplished the same result at her performance before a packed hall on Sunday, March 31 at St. Thomas University’s Jones Hall.
Houston is suffering from drought to such an extent that we need all the showers we can get. As one source of divine inspiration, the city should have Ankalikar permanently on its staff to sing Mian ki Malhar every afternoon!
Arati Ankalikar was the featured performer for India Music Society of Houston’s (IMSH) inaugural concert of its 2013 season.
IMSH was established in 1992 by a group of Hindustani classical music lovers that is bringing world class classical performing arts to Houston.
“I am pleased to inform you that this is the 178th classical concert we have brought to Houston as we step into our 21st year,” said IMSH’s Govind Shetty, who is a tabla artist in his own right. Over the last 21 years, IMSH has served as the host to giants of the arts like Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhat, Smt. Ashwini Bhide, Ustad Rashid Khan, as well as provide a platform to young, upcoming rising stars, who have gone on to make a name on the classical music horizon.
At the Sunday concert, Ankalikar thrilled the audience with her delightful stage presence that was full of zestful energy.
Ankalikar began her concert with a beautiful rendition in raag Bhimpalasi. Her presentation of raagmala, where in three different taals, ek taal, teen taal and jhap taal were combined on one composition, brought thunerous claps from the audience. Ankalikar also sang compositions in Hori and Chaiti, and ended the concert with Durga and Bhairavi.
What made the concert extra special were the talents of accompanists Pandit Shantilal Shah on the tabla and wife Aparna Shah as a vocalist, and Milind Kulkarni on the harmonium. Varsha Halbe and Sruti Sample were the tanpura accompanists.
Ankalikar started her training with Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni of the Agra Gwalior gharana. Thereafter, she was under the tutelage of Kishori Amonkar.
Indian Music Society’s next concert takes place on April 28 at 10am, featuring morning raagas by Anand Bhate.
For more information, visit imshouston.org or call 713-789- 4653.
HOUSTON: A large number of enthusiastic students of the Abhinaya School of Performing Arts presented “Rasaanubhava ’13, the annual recital at the Kaplan Theater, Jewish Community Center on March 30, 2013 as a dedication to the classical arts of Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi.
The director Indrani Parthasarathy well versed in the Pandanallur style of Bharathanatyam and also trained in Kuchipudi style of dancing is the daughter of the Karnataka Kalathilaka Guru Radha Sridhar of Bangalore. She has to her credit more than 100 solo performances, has been a performer in India, UAE and USA and has been a part of her mother’s dance drama productions.
Indrani established the “Abhinaya School of Performing Arts” in 2001 which is originally based in Katy has now grown and has branches in Cypress and Pearland.
The annual recital began with the junior performance emceed by Deepti Setlur. The junior students presented a highly colorful yet synchronized performance maintaining their lines and formations from adavus to Jathiswaram. Indrani had specially choreographed some folk and fusion dances to suit the age group of 5-8. The students performed with fervor and confidence in their coordinated costumes. The Junior performance started at 2pm and ended at 3:30pm.
The senior segment began 4pm with the highlight of the evening, a forty minute dance drama “The Tulsi Garland”. The dance drama, based on the story of Goda devi a Vaishnavite saint, was beautifully enacted by the senior students. Neeraja stood out as Goda devi while Avira, Shreya, Spoorthi, Aishwarya, Seetha, Sammitha, Sailakshmi, Shruthi, Priyanka and Maya complemented out as the beautiful friends of Goda. Anupama as the playful Krishna, Ritvik as Vishnuchitta supported well, as the male characters. Mellifluous music composition and vocals by Srivatsa, effective lighting and colorful costumes added to the effectiveness of the drama.
The senior recital had an array of beautifully choreographed traditional classical dances like the Shabdams, Jathiswaram, Padam, Keerthanams and Thillana. They also presented contemporary thematic presentations like peace, enlightenment, music, musical instruments and love. The intricate choreography stood out more because of the colorful coordinated special costumes. The joy and passion for dancing was evident on the faces of the students as they performed.
Every student happily received a specially designed Rasaanubhava’13 trophy with a Indian dance art work on it.
Anupama Nagasimha, the assistant teacher at Abhinaya School of Performing Arts thanked everyone and concluded with a note of admiration choreographing, planning and executing an event like Rasaanubhava and appreciation for her teacher’s passion and hard work in making this event a success.
Ecstatic Bhajan by Sunday school Children. Photos: Thejas Rajaram
HOUSTON: Last week, Gaura Purnima was celebrated with two days of celebrations at the Hare Krishna Dham temple. The festival marks the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – an appearance of Krishna in 15th century in Bengal, India. Vedic texts state that Lord Chaitanya is the Supreme Person, Krishna, appearing as His own worshiper. He is the combined form of Krishna and Krishna’s most dear devotee, Srimati Radharani. He came to experience the love She feels for him, and to show by example how to fully surrender to Krishna. His appearance then as the child Nimai is special to Vaishnavas the world over. The festival Gaura Purnima – “golden full moon” – is called so because the golden-skinned Chaitanya was born under a full moon. The Gaudiya branch of Vaishnavism began with him.
Maha Abhishek of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda.
This past Tuesday, March 26marked the actual appearance day in 1486. This was celebrated at the Hare Krishna Dham (the ISKCON temple close to the Galleria area) with hundreds of worshippers. The festival started with Maha Aarati and a joyous kirtan. There was Maha Abhishek for the deities Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. The bathing ceremony included honey, ghee, yogurt, many fresh fruit juices, and milk.
The worshipers were then treated to spiritual talks by two visiting swamis, H.H. Giriraj Swami and H.H. Bhakti Sundar Goswami. A full prasadam meal was served by ISKCON’s famous kitchen.
Sunday, March 31, was the public celebration of Gaura Purnima. Aarati, kirtan and a spiritual talk in the temple were followed by a cultural program in the temple’s large Gauranga Hall and there were hundreds in attendance. Spirits were especially high after a wonderful kirtan and lecture by HH .Guruprasad Swami at the temple room. Youth group lead a kirtan to Gauranga hall for the cultural program. The program comprised of bhajans sung by theSunday school children; Hari Katha or a lila kirtan by HG. Barsana Devi Dasi accompanied by Jiv jago youth; folk dance by Sunday school children; and finally Hare Krishna Theater presented a musical dance drama “Gaura Lila – Delelverence of Jagai and Madhai” a famous pastime of Lord chaitanya Mahaprabhu directed by HG. Vatsal Prabhu. This musical dance drama was performed by devotees and kids of Hare Krishna dham. Musical support was provided by youth group jiv jago and dances by Natya sakhi’s. After the program all enjoyed a great prasadam meal.
Jubilant Devotees participated in cultural events.
The celebration of the appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is important for two reasons. First, he is none other than Krishna appeared as His own devotee, predicted in many scriptures and fulfilled. Second, he laid the foundation for the ever-growing bhakti worship of the past half-millennium. Anyone who has studied the Vedas knows that in previous ages there was great benefit from the many sacrifices and sacred rituals. However in more recent centuries the world and India had fallen so far from the Vedic ideal that Krishna delivered a merciful path for those born into this era: bhakti yoga – the path of pure devotional love. Krishna came as Chaitanya to show how to live that life of loving devotion to Krishna. This allows one to live life as embodied in the sacred Bhagavad Gita. Worshipers at the Hare Krishna Dham are grateful for this wonderful blessing to the world and in their own lives. Thus the reason for the joy during the two days of festivals and over a thousand Houstonians took part in these events. The deities Sri Sri Radha Nila-Madhava preside over a welcoming aarati and kirtan each Sunday at 5:30pm at ISKCON Hare Krishna Dham located on 1320 W 34th Street, Houston TX. 77018, just off the 610 Loop close to the Heights and Galleria.
For more information, visit www.iskconhouston.org or Call 713-686-GITA (4482).
