“India Day Celebration 2006,” a mega event which all the Indians and Indo-Americans in the New England area have been eagerly looking for was organized by the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) on Sunday, August 13, 2006 in the Hatchshell located amidst sylvan surroundings of lushgreen lawns on the banks of the Charles River in Boston, MA. The event marked the 59th anniversary on India’s Independence Day.

 The excellent cool, sunny weather added an extra fillip and encouraged a large number of enthusiastic people (numbering about 7000) to converge on the lawns to enjoy the multi-cultural program staged for nearly five hours by a host of talented artists and amateurs. The meticulously prepared and presented items comprising of songs, dances and drama followed in quick colorful succession providing sumptuous feast for the eyes and the ears and throving the audience into rapturous ecstasies of joy and merriment.

 The program started with a welcome address by Mr. Amrit Soni, Secretary, IAGB, followed by an invocation by Dr. Vinod Chungi, Vice President, IAGB, who quoted from Atharva Veda praying for peace, harmony and prosperity for all. The Notional Anthem of the USA was then sung by Noura Khan followed by the National anthem of India sung in chorus.

 In his Presidential address, Mr. M. Rajanikanth, president, IAGB, traced the steady growth of IAGB since its inception in 1962. It had blossomed into a truly representative organization of all Indian-Americans in the New England area diversifying en route its multidimensional activities to address and promote all matters concerned with the welfare of the community. IAGB celebrated all India’s National Days and has been organizing cultural programs to mark India’s Independence Day at the Hatchshell  venue successively without a break for the past two decades. Meena Hewett, IAGB, Saheli, Boston, then explained the laudable services rendered by Saheli to women through its programs to promote self-employment, computer and English language education and support services to render emotional, logical, psychological and financial help to needy women.

 Mr. Ramesh Advani then introduced the honorable Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, (Ms.) Kerry Healy. In her address, she traced the close ties that bonded our two great democracies right from the time they fought for their freedom from British rule and applauded the close links that are developing between the two countries for the promotion of the mutual growth of both. She also read out the governor’s proclamation urging all to celebrate August 15, 2006 and India’s Independence Day. The chief guest for the function was the Honorable Timothy P. Cahill, Treasurer and Receiver General of Massachusetts, who elegantly outlined the widespread and irreplaceable contribution made by the Indian community to the state of Massachusetts. He paid rich encomiums to the glorious history and vibrant culture of India and wished them a bright future. The president of IAGB presented him with a plaque recording our appreciation for the meritorious services rendered by him to the state.

The cultural program that followed was truly a colorful extravaganza giving exposure to a wide spectrum of talents. Starting in a devotional spirit, it highlighted the inmade qualities of a true devotee through the song “Vaishnav Jan To.” This was followed by a Bengali patriotic song of Rabindranath Tagore, “O Aamaar Desher Mati.” Another patriotic song “Janani Janma Bhoomi” presented by HSS was noteworthy for the vigorous sense of patriotism and the subtle love for the motherland entwined in it. Patriotism was the fenur of another song “Janani Jaganmataki” conducted by Jeyanthi Ghatraju.

 A subtle transition from songs to dance came in the form of “Bhoomanjali,” a group dance in the Bharathanatyam style in praise of Goddess Earth, choreographed by Ranjani Saigal. A major highlight of the cultural events was an armchair travelogue of the various regions of India through the delightful presentation of many of their classical and folk dances. “Jathiswaram,” a classical dance of Andhra Pradesh in Kuchipudi style (choreographed by Neena Gulati), “Kitaro Channdam,” a classical dance set to Kitaro music (choreographed by Sambiti Bandopadhyay), and “Mangala Charan,” a classical dance in Oddisi style (presented by Sathsang center and choreographed by Jayshree Mohapatra) all drew standing ovations from the audience. The folk dances vied with each other in their vibrant music, colorful costumes, and elegant weaving of dance pattern marked by the harmonious rhythm of foot steps. The folk dances of Orissa, “Govinda Gokul Aao,” Maharastra, “Dhol Kara,” Bengal, “Kanak Champa Dhaan,” and Gujarat, “Paghaldi,” and also the “Vindya-Sahya Fusion Dance” presented by the Kerala Association of New England all stood out as unique items in the cultural presentation.

 As is common knowledge, the cultural art form is an embodiment of the three distinct forms of music, dance and drama. To give all the three their deserving importance, the IAGB program also staged a dance drama, “Narasimha Lila,” depicting one of Lord Vishnu’s fiercest incarnations, Narasimha, emphasizing the victory of justice over malice.

  Irrespective of the occasion or the forum, the evergreen, vibrant Bhangra dance throws the entire audience- young and old- into raptious ecstasies marked by joyful shouting, jumping, dancing and rhythmic hand claps. The cultural event had a substantial potfull of Bhangra dances by various professional and amateur groups like Boston Bhangra Inc., MIT Summer Bhangra, “Aag Di Jind” by the Lexington Bhangra, “Kuniyan Punjab Diyan” choreographed by Ruhee Singh, and “India’s Energy,” a Bhangra dance drama choreographed by Reshma Singh. All these Bhangra dances exhibited the great energy and dynamism of the dancers marked by vigorous dancing, powerful music and acrobatic feats. All drew standing ovations form the audience.

 â€œBollywood” is a magic mantra that rings bells in the minds of all modern youngsters – boys and girls alike. To all of them, the event supplied an adequate dosage of this vitamin too. India’s glorious past and marvelous present were projected through a wide range of film songs and apt dances. “Nanna Munna Rahi Hoon,” form the film “Son of India,” a modern dance melee “Young Bollywood,” “Bollywood – a Nostalgic Journey Through the Decades,” presented by Taal Nrityangan, were all danced with great gusto.
It was a long journey of nearly five hours traveling through the many colorful paths of music, dance, and drama, several milestones in India’s cultural history extending over centuries.

The Emcees were Sutanuka Debasri Basu and Neil Dang ably supported by Shimna Sameer and Ganesh Davuluri. Through their delectable interludes, jokes and interactive dialogues with the audience, all of them maintained an excellent rapport with all on and off the stage, thereby enhancing the quality and impact of each item.

 The city in general and the Indian community in particular might have witnessed several cultural events. But, this India Day Celebration, 2006 is really an outstanding one which is sure to linger long in the nostalgic memories of all those who attended it.

 The humungous effort of a large number of organizers, producers of programs, stage managers, and volunteers supported by a large numbers of sponsors and well writers has made this stupendous effort a glorious success. All of them richly deserve our sincere thanks and appreciation.

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