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Report of the Holi
Program on March 17, 2001 |
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Pictures of Hori Melana, and
the Cultural Program will be added very soon.
This report will be compiled again with more details.
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Contents |
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General Overview |
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Melana |
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Bhajan on the theme of Krishna Lila |
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Cultural Program |
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- Gitinatya: Paramabandhu
(by Children)
- Children Talent Show
- Pala: Kitchaka Badha
(by Pitamber Sarangi as Gahana)
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Dinner |
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Memories: Video Recording and Photographs
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Cleaning |
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Note:Hoii program was arranged by the Oriya
Bhajan Group at Murugan Temple Auditorium, 6300 Princes Garden
Parkway, Lanham, Maryland 20706. |
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General Overview |
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It was a great day for all of us who participated
in the program. It was such a memorable event. Although because
of rain (aDina megha), the program started a little late,
the program was very good. The organizers had devoted their
morning in making the stage decorations and hall decorations.
Many devoted people from Pennsylvania, New Jesrsy, Massachusetts,
Virginia and Maryland joined the function and it felt like
a mini regional convention of Oriyas in Eastcoast. The most
important achievement was the motivation that was created
in the children's mind to be involved, participate and do
something. Just looking at the children who were performing
in the stage, many other children were motivated to show their
talents and that was the effect we wanted to see and we saw
it.
The "pala" by Pitambar Sarangi of New Jersey was
something to see. We also felt that Pitambar Babu's "pala"
talent needs more recognition and he should be encouraged
to present the "pala" atleast 4-5 times a year.
I request that people who plan for any religous event or any
other types of event in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia
area please encourage Pitamabar babu to present "pala".
Another great fact was the greatness of the temple people.
Although our function went beyond time, they were very coopeartive
and nice. We felt the brighter side of the human nature, and
that is caring, considerate and noble nature.
Most of the credits goes to Illa and Arun Ojha for stage decoration. |
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Melana |
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The first part of the program was
"Melana". Four "bimanas" had arrived for
the procession. They are: |
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- Lord Radha-Krishna brought by Munmaya Mishra's family
from Richmond, Virginia;
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- Lord Jagannath brought by Nrusingha Mishra's family
from Germantown, Maryland;
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- Radha-Krishna by Shrikant Nayak's family from Lanham,
Maryland;
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- Radha-Madan Mohan brought by Naresh Das's family from
Columbia, Maryland.
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The bimana's entered the auditorium
with kirtan and playing of color. The crowd was cheerful.
After all the bimana's reached the auditorium stage, Kanan
Mishra, Bandita Mishra and Bijoylaxmi Dash did the "Arati".
Temple priests Mahashakti Dasa, Mahasringha Dasa and Nrusigha
Chaitanya Dasa sang Arati songs while everybody in the audience
were invited by Kanan Mishra to do the "bandApanA".
Kanan Mishra had taken charge of the Arati and she called
everybody with personal affection to do the "Bandapana".
Indu Mishra and Shashadhar Mohapatra were at the registration
desk distributing the program schedule, name tags and the
bhajan patrika. |
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Welcome Speech
After a formal introduction given by Srikant Nayak,
Bigyani Das delivered the welcome speech (50/50 Odia/English).
Then she invited Nrusingha Chaitanya Dasa of Baltimore ISKCON
temple to coordinate the Bhajan program. |
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Bhajan |
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Bhajan Program was moderated
by Nrusingha Chaitanya Pravuji. He gave many touchy introductions
about Lord Krishna's different Lila. His descriptions took
the people to Gopapura and some of us felt as if we are visualizing
Lord Krishna with Jasoda Mata and Nanda Raja.
Bhajan started with Mahashakti Dasa. The bhajan was on Lord
Krishna's birth (Nanda kole khele gobinda). Deepa Parija sang
the bhajan "Uthilu Ede begi Kahinkire" with Jasoda
Mata's love. Deepa being the mother of a few months old daughter
reflected the feeling in her beautiful voice. The third bhajan
was on Lord Krishna's play and different acts with Gopis (Shyama-sama
kamaniya nahin kehire sahi) presented by Surendra Ray. Surendra
Ray being a veteran singer and harmonium player reflected
the original odissi tune and "bhaba" through his
singing. The fourth bhajan was a group bhajan presented by
Lipishree Nayak, Meera Mahapatra, Bijoylaxmi Dash and Bigyani
Das. This bhajan was a hori bhajan on "Phagu Ranga Bola
Angaku Ta Dekha Dekha" and with the combined effort reflected
the sensation of Hori Khela in "Gopapura". The last
bhajan was presented by Mahashakti Dasa on insisting people
to concentrate more on "Krishna Nama".
The songs were presented with the help of Surendra Ray and
Mahashakti Dasa on Harmonium, Naresh Das and Surendra Ray
in Tabla. |
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Cultural
Program |
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Lipishree Nayak was the Masters
of Ceremony for the cultural program. Lipishree welcomed everybody
and thanked Nrusingha Chaitanyaji for his help. Then she proceeded
with the items of the cultural program.
The stage management, lights and sounds were taken care of
by Dhirendra Kar, Surendra Ray, Hosensu Sahoo and Naresh Das.
The first item was the Odissi Dance presented by Mrunali Das.
Mrunali learns odissi under the guidance of Dr Chitra krishnamurty,
the director of Odissi dance school Nrityalaya.
The second item was presented by Prerana Pradhan. It was a
dance set with the collection of some rhythmic Hindi Songs.
Gitinatya: Parama-bandhu
This drama was the shortest version of the drama
"Bandhu Mohanty". The audio cassette of this drama
was made with well celebrated singers and actors in Orissa.
The performers were Bagmi Das (Bandhu Mohanty), Mrunali Das
(Kanaka, Bandhu's wife), Siddhartha Mohapatra (Jaganatha in
disguise, and King's companion), Satish Mishra (King Prataprudra),
Shashwati Das (Bandhu's child), and Suman Ojha (minister).
The children did excellent job showing their understanding
far above their age level.
This drama is very significant which relays the message that
God is the only friend we can count on always. The other friends
are friends in good times.
The costumes for the drama were simple and were designed by
the parents of the performers. If you have watched the drama,
then you could have probably noticed the talents within all
these children. All the children have many talents that stay
hidden and they just need a medium to express it. It's our
duty to provide them the medium.
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Children Talent Shows
The fourth item was the skit by Alok and Happy Mohanty of
Philadelphia. The skit "jATa dekhA" was written
by their mother Sulochana Mohanty.
The karate show by Koustuv Das of New Jersey was enjoyed
by all. Even Koustuv became a hero by smaller children who
started practicing Koustuv's karate in the hall.
Swati Mishra played violin first solo and then duet with
Bagmi Das.
Kunmun sarangi played piano.
Rutu sahoo presented his yo-yo skills.
The last item was a Holi dance with the song "SoNi
SoNi" of the movie "mohabatein" presented
by Srotalina Nayak and Ritu Desai. The dance was so beautifully
presented by the duo, who learn Kathak dance.
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Program by Adults
The first item was a group Hori song "Aji Asichhi
re Asichhi, Asichhi Hori" presented by Deepa Parija,
Sushim Dalabehera, Lipishree Nayak and Bigyani Das. The song
was in the tune of "Bhumru Bhumru" of "Mission
Kashmir".
The second item was an Odissi song "Re batachhada suhata
nagara" presented by Asha Sahu. Asha sang it very well.
The third item was the musical "Twinkle Twinkle Little
Star" presented by Hosensu Sahoo.
The Master of Ceremony Lipishree Nayak ended the cultural
program with the song "Purnami Jahna Sate Dharabuke
Hasila". With her beutifull voice she presented the
mood very well.
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Pala: Bideshi Babu
The pala was performed by Pitamber Sarangi of New Jersey
as GAHANA.
It was Pitambar Babu again with a new subject and a very
interesting subject for this year's pala "Bideshi Babu".
Pitambar Babu recited Odia literature to describe New York
City. He mapped the life in Odisha during the King's era
to today's life of an immigrant Oriya in New York city.
I personally appreciate and congratulate Pitamber babu
(a Physics toper) for his excellent presentation and wish
he keeps this tradition.
Pitamber babu was accompanied by Pratap Dash who actually
did some of the Gahana role, Naresh Das, and temple priest
Mahashringha Dasa. Surendra Ray made guest appearance to
present a variety of Pala Presentation.
Arun Ojha gave final thanks. Indu Mishra recognized the
children for their hard work and Surendra Ray recognized
the temple priests for their help with some awards. Arun
Ojha then announced the formal end of the Hori function. |
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Dinner: |
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The last item of the Hori function
was the religious discourse by Nrushingha Chaitanyaji, the
president of Baltimore ISKCON temple. Nrushingha Mishra introduced
him. It was late, so he spoke to us by reducing his original
planned speech. He picked up the pala Kitchaka badha and emphasized
the preservance of the culture through all odds. He also told
that Kitchaka died because of "kama", a weakness
that could take human to their end if not controlled properly.
He also mentioned about other destructive elements such as
anger, ego, jealousy, greed and attachments which should be
controlled. Although it's very difficult for the common human
being to completely get rid of these destructive elements,
they should be within control. Nrusingha Mishra gave final
thanks and announced the formal end of the Hori function.
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Memories:
Video Recording and Photographs |
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Arun Ojha
has made video recordings of bhajan, drama, pala and the
ending. Dhirendra Kar has taken digital photographs which
will be available very soon.
All of these will be compiled.
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Cleaning |
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Everybody participated in the
clean up. Special thanks to Lokanath Mohapatra for cleaning
the hall. |
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Author: Dr
Bigyani Das (bdas@bme.jhu.edu)
Last Updated:
04/13/2001
Reason: Original
Contact
No: (301) 498 3729 |
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