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Making Music A Part of Our Life

Surangan News

Houston, Texas

Surangan News is Published Twice a Year

We Lost a Great Soul

Our beloved, culturally enthusiastic person, well-wisher of Surangan, and community leader Mr. Shahadat Hossain Bhuyian (Porag). Our Condolences to his family.

7th Years

Bangladesh Victory Day Celebrated in Houston

Expatriate in Houston through various events. On the occasion of Victory Day, an evening discussion andculturalprogram wereheldattheir venues. Later, a cultural program was held with performances by local artists. Every yea with due dignity, this is a most precious day for

the Bengalis, as the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on that day 51 years back after a nine-month-long bloodstained War of Liberation. On December

16 in 1971, Bangladesh was born as an independent country under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million people and the honor

Ingreater Houston,theBangladeshAssociation of Houston (BAH) and Bangladesh American Society of Greater Houston (BASGH) celebrated the victory day on Friday and Saturday

separately with due dignity and fervor to paying homage to millions of freedom fighters who embraced martyrdom to liberate Bangladesh from the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971. Both organizations started their programs with the hoisting of the national flag of Bangladesh and the USA, and the playing of national anthems of both cou

Bangladesh American Society of Greater Houston (BASGH): The Bangladesh American Society of Greater Houston observed Bangladesh's ‘Bijoy Dibash’ (Victory Day) on December 17, Saturday at

The second part of the program featured local artists performing group songs, fashion shows, group dances, and recitations, etc. that

Stafford Civic Center, Houston, Texas. Their entire program featured based on the art, culture, and history of Bangladesh. Thefirstpartoftheprogramwastheaccounting of the organization, the annual introduction of new board members and the lifetime achievement award ceremony, etc.

The last episode was Tagore's timeless drama 'Raktakarobi' directed by Mukul and Madhumita Barua which was a memorable presentation that was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. An enormous number of audiences enjoyed the whole program.

iation of Houston (BAH):

Bangladesh Association of Houston (BHA) celebrated Victory Day on December 16, Friday evening at Sur Auditorium. The program begins with a melodious solo by the local artists. In the

the account and progress of the newly built Bangladesh American Center Haleem.

After that of the program featured local artists performing group dances, etc. that enthralled the audience. last part of the program was local singer Dr. Adiba Akter's melodious songs. A huge audience enjoyed the whole program. celebration was marked with rich traditions that reflect the unique culture and customs of Bangladesh.

Shatadal TV: ‘Shatadal TV’ is an online platform that is broadcast from New Jersey, USA. On December

New York joined in this program. It was an lent program combining liberation war memories, recitation, and a series of patriotic songs which was beautifully conducted by Mr. Kabir Kiron, CEO of Shatadal TV. A vast number of audiences watched this live program https://www.facebook.com/mohammed.kabir.31/v

Houston CelebratesDurga Puja-2022

Durga pujas abroad can often feel more traditional than those in Bengal. Perhaps because Puja is the most relevant occasion for Hindu Bengalis overseas to reconnect to their roots, culture, and community. In this respect, the Houston Bengali Community is no

17, broadcasted a special program to remember those heroic soldiers and freedom fighters who embraced martyrdom to liberate Bangladesh from the Pakistani occupation forces. Renowned singer Mrs. Rupa Ghosh from Texas, Bijoya Sen Gupta from Pennsylvania, and intellectual person Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed from

With the increasing number of Bengalis in the greater Houston area, more Durga pujas are being held to accommodate the desire of all

second part of the program, the newly elected representatives of the organization had an introduction, organizational progress, details on

Bengalis to participate in their biggest festival of the year. Durga Puja, however, is not limited to a celebration by the Bengalis but is a celebration by all Hindus revering and paying homage to the Hindu goddess, Durga. The festival epitomizes the victory of good over evil, where she wins her battle against the shape shifting asura, Mahishasura. It is also in part a harvest festival celebrating the goddess as the motherly power behind all of life and creation.

Covid-19 protocols. But this year Houston Durgabari Society decided to celebrate this Durga Puja on a larger scale. This year the puja

inaugurated their first Durga puja in 2000. Since then, been celebrating Durga Puja every year in style making it one of the largest Durga Pujas in North America. This is the only temple in N America dedicated solely to the worship of Maa Durga every day. Houston Durgabari society is a beacon organization of the Hindu community of greater Houston.

ThisDurgaMandir regularlyorganizesreligious discourses, weekly pujas, and all other festivals.Durgabariishometovariouscultural, educational, and athletic endeavors, etc.

In the last two years, Durga Puja has been celebrated on a much smaller scale due to the

started on the 29th of September and ended on the 4th of October. All the rituals of the Puja were beautifully performed under the v Bhattacharya, Head Priest of HDBS. Hundreds of people attended the Durga temple premises every day in Puja. The Puja celebration committee organized a wonderful cultural program every evening with Anand Mela from Mahishasuramardini as well as a fashion show and many more events. Local artists of different aged groups participated in cultural programs every day and renowned artists from Kolkata also participated with them. Every year in the following days, Durga

Houston Durgabari Society: Houston Durgabari Society (HDBS)

Mandir turns into a gathering of children, teenagers, and old people. The surroundings of the temple were beautifully decorated with lights.

Every day the members of the kitchen committee served delicious food in the morning and afternoon. There was a separate food corner for children from wh to them. Finally,HoustonDurga bari Puja 2022 endswithalltheritualsofDasamiPujafollowed by the dhunuchi dance and sindoor khela.

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston: Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH)

auspicious beat of the Dhak and the blowing of

celebrates Durga Puja a week ahead of the actual Puja every year, and the 5 condensed into a half day puja. It was a sultry day to invoke Maa Durga on the punya tithi of Mahalaya to the VSGH grounds on

the shankh, early in the morning, creating a divine atmosphere. Maa Durga and kalabau were decorated in festive splendor and Mother was ready to welcome and bless all her

As

is the

September 24, after a hiatus of 2 years when the Puja could not be held outdoors on a large scale due to the COVID pandemic. KalabauandtheidolofMaa Durgawerecarried to the nicely decorated pandal outdoors to the

tradition

every year, Swami daji, head of the Toronto

Vedanta Society assisted by Buddhadeb, conducted the puja. Dr. Amrit Achari did the Chandipath chanting. The puja was performed

According to Vedanta tradition, the melodious devotional songs sung by the VSGH choir, led by Rupa Ghosh, made the environment reverberate with divinity. Pandit Suman Ghosh and his team also performed a beautiful devotional song, adding to the divinity of the atmosphere. The puja ended with the beautiful

arati performed with the chandelier lamp to the beat of the dhak, and pushpanjali, the offering of flowers, by devotees. Fruit & lunch prasad wereservedintheadjacenttenttoallattendees. Houston Vedanta Society Durga Puja means creating a heavenly atmosphere. It is a unique DurgapujainthegreaterHoustonarea.Around 700+ devotees attended this celebration.

excellent Mahalaya rendition. Everybody enjoyed this program till the end. From Friday to Sunday, they presented wonderful programs of renowned artists from Kolkata with local artists. It consisted of full of fun, food, and religious activities. The overall 3 days puja was excellent and vast numbers of audiences attended day and night. All devotees enjoyed delicious lunch and dinner each day. The temple was beautifully decorated with lights which were a semblance of a puja atmosphere.

celebrates Durga Puja at Houston ISCKON temple on September 30 to October 02, with great devotion and joy. Dr. Bishnupada Goswami, the head priest of the organization, Puja Samithi of Greater Houston, performed Durgapuja while maintaining all the rituals from Hawan, puspanjali, and ceremonial bolidan to bhog and Arati every day. The organizers organized a delightful cultural program every evening where local artists of all ages participated. Their program started with a Mahalaya rendition led by Dr. Salil Banerjee. It was an

Texas: Ramakrishna celebrated their annual Durga Puja, where there were in-person and online arrangements. There was also an

Puja Samithi of Greater Houston: Puja Samithi of Greater Houston (PSGH)

afternoon Darshan session for those devotees who were unable to attend the puja in person. Resident minister and head, Mataji Pravrajika Brahmapranaconductedthewholeproceedings of the puja. It was also one day puja. In this puja, Rupa Ghosh was Houston. She sang a few devotional songs throughout the worship as per Vedantic rules, making the temple reverberate with divinity, which was broadcasted by a Zoom platform. According to Mataji, a huge number of devotees attended in person and watched this worship from their homes till the end.

‘Chitrangada’ Presented by BASGH ‘Chitrangad composed by Nobel laureate Gurudev RabindranathTagorein1892,wasbasedonthe love life of Manipur’s princess Chitrangada and Arjun, the third Pandava of the epic Mahabharata,anditdocumentedtheemotional journey of Chit her irresistible passion for the love of her life, Arjun.

Tagore expands the narrative with his deep

sensitivity in the characterization of princess Chitrangada, where feminine subjectivity comes out through his characteristic lyrical style. Through her transformation from the masculine warrior princess to the diva with charming, feminine attributes, Tagore carves her as the timeless, complete woman who personifies love, courage, and substance.

esh American Society of Greater Houston (BASGH) presents Rabindranath's Chitrangada Dance dram for their annual fundraising program at Stafford

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2022

Under the leadership of a local eminent dancer, Syed Mohammad Talut (Sunan) presented this Chitrangadaplaywithlocalartiststhroughlong 2 to 3-month hard practice. Vol: 12,

It was a superb dance drama presented by BASGH. In this play, renowned dance artist

from Bangladesh Mrs. Sadia Islam (Mou) and her group also participated which was full of classical and memorable shows. audienceenjoyedtheentireshowfor two hours. A big thanks to BASGH for putting on such a productionfortheHoustonBengalicommu

The first part of the program consisted of fundraising for the organization led by Imtiaz Ahmed Pavel and a few Tagore songs performed by renowned local artists

was brutally assassinated at his Dhanmondi residence by a group of killers with the direct and indirect connivance of anti-liberation forces. His wife Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, and Sheikh Russel, and many of his near and dear ones were also killed along

Elora Ahmed Shukla atmosphere of the hall rabindric. 600+ audience enjoyed the whole program till the end.

Bangladesh National Mourning Day Observed

15 August is a scandalous chapter in the history of the Bengali nation. On this fateful night in 1975, the undisputed leader and the greatest Bengali of all time, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

In Houston, the Texas Awami League observed the National Mourning Day with due dignity and solemnity on August 15, Monday. On the ladesh and Bangabandhu, children's drawing competition and screened a documentary on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A special Dua Mahfil was also arranged for seeking peace and

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forgiveness of the departed souls of BangabandhuSheikhMujibur Rahman, andall themartyrsof15thAugust.Alargegroupofthe Bangladeshi community attended the event, and dinner was served.

Houston Vedanta Society Celebrates KaliPuja

Kali Puja or Shyama Puja, the second largest festival of Bangali Hindu celebrated across the abroad with due religious fervorandenthusiasm.Themainpurposeofthe puja is to seek the help of the goddess in destroying evil

puja on October 29, Saturday from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm with full of religious activities. Swami Mahayoganandaji, a resident monk of the Vedanta Society of Southern California intaining all the

rituals from worship, arati, and puspanjali. Devotedladiesinthetemplepreparednicebhog for Maa Kali. It was a wonderful Kali Puja. The devotee Mrs. Rupa Ghosh sang some wonderful Shyama Sangeet throughout the whole worship ched the hearts of the devotees who

within the human being. Kali Puja is also called Deepabali or Diwali, the festival of lights. The light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, which brings us closer to divinity. Usually, Kali Puja, worshipping the goddess of strength, wisdom, and enlightenment, is celebrated at the night of Amavasya of the Bangla month of Kartik (October or November). At the night of the festival, members of the Hindu community light earthen lamps (Pradeep) at their houses and crematoriums in memory of their departed elderly persons. This year the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH), celebrated their annual Kali

0+ devotees were attended the kalipuja and delicious boxed Prasad served to all. It was indeed a memorable evening for all attendees.

Vedanta Society of North Texas Celebrates KaliPuja

On Sunday, October 23, the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of North Texas celebrated its

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Resident

A huge number of devotees watched this worship from their homes and also attended in person.

SpiritualRetreat

Retreats are spiritual gatherings regularly organized by the Vedanta Society of Houston. The Society invites eminent Swamis and Nuns from across the US to create a spiritual atmosphere where devotees can ask questions and answer them. On November 20, Saturday,VSGH arrangedaSpiritual Retreatat

Kali Puja observance with special worship to Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Mother Kali.

minister, Mataji Pravrajika Brahmapranaconductedthewholeproceedings of the worship. and other devotees from abroad sang a couple of Shyama sangeets throughout the worship, which ended with a Zoom talk by Swami Prasannatmanandaji.

their center where Mataji Pravrajika

Brahmaprana,ResidentMinister,Ramakrishna was a guest talks, Mrs. sang a few attended this prasad to gathering in

Texas Awami Leaque Arranged a Mr. ASM Feroz is a Senior Member of the Parliament of Bangladesh and Chairman of the Public Undertakings Committee. He is also the

In September, Mr. for some personal and o Awami League organized a meeting with dinner in his honor on September 20 at Maharaja Restaurant, Houston. A huge number of Bangladeshi communities attended in this reception party. Mr. F speech on the recent development of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh

Awami League conducted the wholes program. In this program, a few patriotic songs were performed by local artists in honor of Mr. Feroz. It was a beautiful program, and dinner was served to all.

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younger brother of Texas Awami League Mr. Abunaser Zahir.

Hasina. Mr. Abunaser Zahir, President of the TexasAwami League presidedover themeeting TheBangladeshi also attended the gathering.