Seniors observe Baisakhi

The new year festival of Baisakhi comes in spring in India, when the crops turn yellow, waiting to be harvested. Although it coincides with the season of autumn in our hemisphere, the traditional ‘spring’ festival is celebrated with much fanfare here too.

At ISCA’s celebration, Acting President Dr. Suresh Sharma dressed patriotically in kurta-pyjama and slippers even in Melbourne’s cold. He welcomed the guests – among them, ‘ISCA’s friend’ Minister Maxine Morand, Dy. Speaker of Australia’s Parliament Anna Burke, the Hon’ble Alan Griffith, Cr. Joy Bannerji and Sharon Porteous from Migrant Information Centre. He highlighted with gratitude the sound system and photocopier VMC Chairman George Lekakis kindly donated from ‘Community Strengthening’ fund, and in addition granted $ 500.00 for this function in particular, besides other usual grants.

MC Anu Sood then got the festivities rolling for the 200-strong audience: Barso re by Nisha and Chanchal from India Beauty and Art Centre (Glen Waverley); Desi girl by 8-year-olds Kaajal and Krishna, and the most delightful bharatnatyam recital by 7-year-old Taran.

ISCA’s customary entertainers Jasbir and Paviter Bedi sang Bollywood songs. Cyril Anthony Meeratwala’s tribute to 1950s crave Talat Mahmood, Tasweer banata hoon, brought the house down, as did Meera Sharma’s dance Ay dil mujhe bata de

Dhansukh Panchal on drums, Sanjeev Naik on keyboard, and Ravi Walia on tabla, all from Gunjan India Music Group, contributed by adapting to the moods of the songs sung.

Punning that she had nothing ‘Basanti’ in wearing traditional clothes,” she remarked, and “keep the tradition alive, treasure it to add to Australia’s diversity.”

Alan Griffith termed the function community-minded. “Pass your culture along, little dancers,” he encouraged the young ones.

As Joy Bannerji recommended we must bring along “our grandkids to such functions” some lighthearted pragmatist retorted, “Why not our grandparents!” A City of Monash Councillor, Joy is credited for recommending small and large grants to ISCA.

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Kingston Indian SCA combined their celebration of Baisakhi with Mother’s Day, with an afternoon of great music and good food.

Barbara Nagaya sang Sanskrit shlokas of radio 3WBC presented a tribute to his own mum. Signifying a mother’s position in every life, Gopal Krishna stated that realistically for a dedicated son, every day is Mother’s Day. He sang a few Bollywood oldies as well.

Attired in Basanti style Rajasthani bandhej choli-lehnga, colourfully decorated pitchers in hands, six ‘Dancing Devas’: Nutan Thoman, Sangeeta Patel, Kanta Swami, Sarita Swami, Veena Kumar and Kamal Segran performed amorously suggestive Choli ke peeche kya hai, and Om, Shantni, Om, etc., to entertain 70 odd seniors. Excellent performance!

Contributions to the community by the over 70 members, incidentally not one appearing more than 50, were acknowledged with token gifts. So were over 65s, appearing 40, were acknowledged as well.

Singer Bikram Singh Malhaar, of the Gwalior and Punjab Gharanas presented a superb performance. Chanelling Mukesh, his Chhoti si yeh zindgani re, chaar din ki jawani, impressed one and all. To our surprise, some persistently Hindi speaking Fijian demanded that Bikram sang Punjabi songs, and happily he obliged, but casually mentioned that his forté was slow and romantic ghazals and geets

Cr. Steve Staikos graced the occasion with his presence and spoke a few encouraging words.

President Mona Raju asked members to pray for Member Naidu, the dinner provider, who was in hospital at the time.

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Indian Senior Citizens Forum celebrated Baisakhi late April, “the appropriate time” of the festival, they mentioned. Om Music Group sang bhajans and Bollywood songs to the delight 50 members. Guru Deepika Shome graced the occasion with her presence. Earlier, the Forum also took a bus load to Gumbaya Park east of Melbourne, where there is a mini zoo, water sports, long parks for walks, shaded seats that accommodate large groups, etc. Home made lunch by members was delightful.

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Fijian Indian SCA (FISCA) made it a double celebration: Baisakhi and Lord Buddha’s birthday. Bhajan singing the order of the day, discourse on matters relevant and high tea made it a day worth remembering.

George Thakur

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