When dance is a tool for communication Sundar Kaand a success

For the first time in Australia, the Sundar Kaand Paath was organised and hosted by the Australian Association for Indian Culture & Education Incorporated (AAICE), recently. The “Sundar Kaand” is the 5th chapter from the holy book of Shree Ramcharitmanas.

Shree Ashwinkumar Pathak (Guruji), the founder of, ‘Jai Shree Ram Sundar Kaand Parivar, Ahmedabad, India, was invited to the 13-day festival by AAICE to recite the most commanding mantra in Hindu sanskriti (culture) “The Sundar Kaand”. Guruji has been reciting this path every day since the year 2000, and has been invited to recite at various international cities.

The concept behind this event in Australia was to promote peace and harmony in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) society and to actively educate the younger generations about India’s rich culture and heritage. This free event included distribution of the holy book of Sundar Kaand Paath by the AAICE.

bhajans performed by Mr Amitabh Singh, director of Om Music Group and his team of musicians, Mittal, Amit and others.

Attendees joined in and sang along with great enthusiasm. After the bhajans, Didiji, who accompanied Guruji from India and has been following him for over a decade, offered insights on Guruji. After this, Shri

Kaand Paath and all devotees followed. The recitation took an hour and a half.

AAICE successfully hosted The Sundar Kaand Paath continuously for 13 days in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney. A huge number of people of all age groups attended the Paath at all locations, and the response was overwhelming.

The success of this event can be measured by the number of people who became members of AAICE Inc. More than 1000 associated members across Victoria and other cities who attended the “Paath” felt the benefit of peace and harmony. Several volunteers worked hard each day to ensure smooth running of the event.

AAICE would like to thank all their sponsors, Priya Indian Restaurant, Café Saffron, Aditya Birla Minerals, Wedding Mandaps, Wyndham City Council, Indus Age and Om Music Group Australia, along with our supportive community members and media such as South Asia Times, Beyond India, India At Melbourne, Bharat Times and Indian Link, to name a few.

AAICE is also grateful to all supporters, volunteers and individuals, who were directly or indirectly instrumental in the grand success of the Sundar Kaand Tour’2010 and the launch of a new community group, AAICE.