Surangan News

Making Music A Par

Making Music A Part of Our Life

-

Surangan News Houston, Texas Surangan (A Cultural Center of Greater Houston) A Soulful Musical Evening Renowned Singer Shuvro Deb

With

On May 22, Sunday a soulful musical evening

congratulates his wife Mrs. Maggie Haleem and niece Mrs. Sylvia for their graduation in this year.

was organized by Shah and Maggie Haleem family. Mr. Shah Haleem longtime resident in Houston

and is

serving

our

Bangladeshi

community. He is the ex-president of FOBANA and the Bangladesh Association of Houston (BHA). On this evening, the main attraction was

After his speech the program formally started

renowned singer Shuvro Deb from Bangladesh.

with a group song ‘Aaji Bangladesher hridoy hote’ which was led by Rupa Ghosh. They presented a couple of selected chorus songs from Tagore and Nazrul. The songs were soulfully rendered and touched the hearts of

Shuvro Deb started his music career in the mid1980s and sang modern romantic songs. He released his first music album ‘Hemiloner Bashiwala’ in 1984. Mr. Dev released a total of

the audience. In this group Mr. Khaled Zulfiqur Khan, Hafiz Rahman, Bithi Ahad, Bina Mallik, Abilina Chowdhury, Benajir khan (Bobbe), Pervin

Kulsum,

Maggie

Haleem,

Nandini

25 albums.

It was the first stage concert after the COVID pandemic in Houston in front of audiences.

More than 300 audiences were present this evening. At the beginning of the program, Mr. Shah

Haleem

welcomes

the

audience,

dignitaries, and his well-wishers. He also

Vol: 11, Page: 01, June 2022

Sarkar,

Meenakshi

Chakraborty,

Debjani

Tarafder, Silvia, Katha Nafiza and in tabla Mr.

commerce),

Mr.

Khaled

Zulfiqur

Khan

(President of BAH) and other community leaders were also present in this program. Each and everybody enjoyed the whole program till the end.

A Special Program on Shatadal TV Shatadal TV broadcast a special program as a part of Nineteenth North America Nazrul Conference 2022 as "চির উন্নত মম চির" on March 19, 2022. Mr. Kabir Kiron, convenor of the conference coordinated this program. He invited a couple of dignitaries from the USA and Bangladesh. In this program Mohammad Zakir Niranjan

Roy,

percussion

Adi

Roy

have

Hossain,

Director

of

Nazrul

Institute,

participated. Two local band groups also performed.

After that Mr. Shuvro Deb took the stage and started his favorite songs which were hit in Bangladesh in the mid-80s to 90s. He also performed

some

requested

songs

from

audiences. It was an awesome concert. The program was continued till 11:30 pm.

Bangladesh,

Mr.

Mosharraf

Hossain,

Dr.

Ziauddin Ahmed, and Mr. Raihan Chowdhury from USA as guest speakers. They discussed the upcoming Nazrul conference and how to succeed the event.

Renowned singers Salauddin Ahmed, Shahid Kabir Palash, Rupa Ghosh, Jannate Romman Local dignitaries from fort bend and Harris

Tithi, Rafique Khan, and Marlin Marlin were

counties such as KP George (Fort Bend County

joined and sang a bunch of Nazrul songs.

Judge),

(County

Hasan Amjad Khan and Mr. Kabir Kiran also

(Hon

Consul

recited Nazrul’s poem. It was a very nice on-air

(Associate

Judge),

program. A huge number of audiences watched

Cynthia

Chairwoman),

M.

Marty

General),

Argie

Beverley

Walker

Ginyard

McVey

Brame (County

Clerk),

Suleman

Lalani, Neeta Sane, Qaiser Imam, Orhan Osman

(President,

Turkish

Chamber

of

this program till the end.

For details: https://www.facebook.com/ShatadalTV/videos/49 1922079064838/ Vol: 11, Page: 02, June 2022

Houston Vedanta Society Inaugurates ‘Lonestar over Trinity Retreat’ center The Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH) purchased a large parcel of land to build up a Retreat Center led by Swami Atmarupanandaji.

It is located just outside of Trinity and around twenty miles from Huntsville. The retreat center will serve both the local and the Houston-area

the Houston Vedanta Society arranged special worship, lunch for all, a tour of the property, devotional song, dance, and meditation. The special worship started at 11 am. communities,

as

well

as

the

Vedanta

Swami Sarvadevananda, resident minister of

communities in Dallas, College Station, and Austin. It's a beautiful 91 acres of forest and meadow. It has a spring-fed pond and an old wood-frame cottage. It has full potential for a retreat where spiritual seekers can take a pause from their routine lives to focus on inner development and rejuvenation.

On April 03, Beautiful sunny weather, blue sky with a bunch of clouds like the garden of flowers

South California performed the worship and

in

Society

arati. Swami Atmajnanananda from Vedanta

formally inaugurated a dream project ‘Lonestar

Society of Greater Washington, DC and Mataji

over Trinity Retreat’ center. For this occasion,

Pravrajika Brahmaprana from Ramakrishna

heaven,

the

Houston

Vedanta

Vedanta Society of North Texas, Dallas were attended

this

program.

Many

fans

and

enthusiasts from the area participated in this program.

Vol: 11, Page: 03, June 2022

After worship and arati, lunch prasad was

of the spiritual realizations of the seers and

served to all devotees. At 2 pm, a special

sages of the Indian subcontinent. His whole life

program started on the side of the pond on open

was literally an uninterrupted contemplation of

ground. At the beginning of the program, Swami

God. Seekers of God of all religions feel irresistibly drawn to his life and teachings. Sri Ramakrishna is a silent force and influences the spiritual thought of our life.

The

Vedanta

community

celebrates

this

auspicious day with full of respect each year.

The Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH) Atmarupanandaji gave a speech and told us how he started this project and collected the money to purchase this land, and his future plans. Everybody appreciated his dedication and work for establish this retreat center. After his inaugural speech, devotee, Rupa Ghosh

celebrated the 186th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Dev on March 05, 2022, with full of respect and enthusiasm. The resident minister and head of VSGH, Swami Atmarupanandaji conducted special worship and arati. A few fully vaccinated devotees were allowed inside the center.

sang a couple of selected devotional songs and kirtans on Sri Ramakrishana. The songs were soulfully rendered and touched the hearts of the devotees. Ananya and Anushree Dhar performed

a

dance,

and

finally,

Swami

Atmarupanandaji guided a short meditation. A

On that occasion, Rupa Ghosh performed some

huge number of devotees were present and

of Sri Ramakrishna’s favorite songs. Due to

enjoyed

COVID-19,

the

whole

day-long

inauguration

the

whole

program

streamed

program.

through the VSGH YouTube channel where

Sri Ramakrishna’s Birth Anniversary

devotees watched this worship and arati from

Sri Ramakrishna, who was born in 1836 and passed away in 1886, represents the very core

their homes.

For details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze9tmSsjeZo Vol: 11, Page: 04, June 2022

Pahela Boishakh: A Day to celebrate Pahela Boishakh, the beginning of a New Year comes with renewed hopes blossoming with love as we sing: “Muchhe Jaak Glani, Ghuche Jaak Jora, Agni Snanay Shuchi Hok Dhora”. Let’s hope and pray there will be another beautiful sunrise

tomorrow:

free

of

sickness

A small group of students and well-wishers were joined in this gathering and enjoyed the whole program. Surangan house was decorated as Bengali style with kula, dala, paka, flute, etc.

Everywhere looks like Baisakhi atmosphere. All attendees wearied colorful traditional dresses.

and

affliction.

Surangan family arranged different types of delicious Bengali foods, snacks, and sweets for all. After lunch, a cultural program was arranged by Surangan and started with selected ‘Pohela Boishakh’ is the biggest cultural festival

Tagore’s famous Pahela Boishakh song ‘Esho

worldwide

and

He Boishakh, Esho Esho’ followed by solo and

welcome the New Year with great enthusiasm in

chorus songs, dance, and other activities.

keeping with the age-old traditions called

Finally, Rupa Ghosh sang a couple of songs

‘Borsho Boron Utsab.’ It marks a day of cultural

from Tagore, Nazrul, Atul Prasad, etc.

and religious unity, April 14. As a tradition of

It was a very nice small program; everybody

where

Bengalis

celebrate

enjoyed this type of program after a long time.

Houston Durgabari Society celebrates Pohela

the Surangan family, this year Surangan celebrated this occasion as a 'Boisakhi Adda'.

Boishakh as ‘Boishaki Ananda Mela’ in the

Vol: 11, Page: 05, June 2022

Durgabari complex. It was a day long festival.

streamed through VSGH YouTube. Once the

There was jewelry, cloth, foods and delicious

worship finished, devotees were allowed into the

snakes’ stalls. It was started with a special

center, one family at a time to offer flowers to

Boishaki puja and finished by kid’s cultural

Lord Shiva.

programs. A huge number of people attended

For detail:

this festival and enjoyed the whole day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8FQ83apWvU

VSGH Celebrates Shiva Ratri Puja

Houston Durgabari Society Celebrates Graduation Ceremony-2022

Maha Shiva Ratri is one of the most significant sacred festivals of the Hindu religion. The lord

Houston

durgabari

hosts

the

Graduation

Shiva is considered the Adi Guru or the First Guru from whom the Yogic tradition originated.

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH)

Ceremony-2022 with full of joy like each year.

Mr. Buddhadev Battacherjee, Head priest of Houston Durgabari Society arranged a special graduation

puja

for

the

graduates.

celebrated the Maha Shivaratri on March 1,

seventeen

graduates

participated

2022, with full of respect and gusto. The

ceremony.

Durgabari

committee

resident

Swami

especial lunch and also gifted T-shirts to all

Atmarupanandaji performed a special puja and

graduates and their family. It was a very nice

arati for this occasion. Devotee Rupa Ghosh

arrangement. The ceremony ended with cake

sang a couple of devotional songs on Lord Shiva

cutting and photo op.

as a part of the worship. This program was

Consul General of India Celebrates National Youth Day-2022

minister

of

VSGH

in

Total this

arranged

In India, 'National Youth Day' is observed to honor the ideals and thoughts of Swamiji Vivekananda who had tremendous faith in youth. The people of India celebrate National Youth Day on 12 January, every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of the social Vol: 11, Page: 06, June 2022

reformer, great thinker, and philosopher Swami Vivekananda.

Rupa Ghosh with Shatadal TV This year, the first program of Shatadal TV was

On January 12, the Consul

General

of

India, Houston (CGI) participated celebration

in

broadcast on January 08, named ‘নব আনন্দে জান্দ া’. Renowned Rabindra sangeet singer

the of

‘National Youth Day’ commemorating the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda organized in partnership with the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston as a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The consulate General Shri Aseem R. Mahajan inaugurated this program.

Mrs. Rupa Ghosh from Texas was the especial

After that Rupa Ghosh sang a Vivekananda

attraction in this live program. Mr. Hasan

vandana stotram ‘Murta Maheswara Ujjwala

Amjad Khan from New York, and Dilara Nahar

Bhaskaraa’.

Swami

Babu from Canada also joined this program.

Sarvapriyananda, resident minister, and head

Rupa Ghosh performed a couple of Rabindra

of the Vedanta Society of New York delivered a

and and Nazrul sangeet. The program begins

speech on ‘Life and Teachings of Swami

with a prayer song for peace (Shanti Koro

In

this

program,

Borishono) from Tagore. She also explains the meaning and significance of each song.

Mr. Amjad Khan and Mrs. Dilara Nahar recited a couple of poems from Rabindranath and Nazrul. Mr. Kabir Kiron, CEO of Shatadal TV

Vivekananda’. It was a very powerful and informative lecture. A senior devotee of Vedanta Society Mrs. Swapna Choudhury coordinated this program. The whole program was streamed on both VSGH and ICC's Facebook and

coordinated this program and recited a Nazrul

YouTube channels. A huge number of devotees

poem. A huge number of viewers watched this

watched this program across the world.

program.

For details:

For details:

https://www.facebook.com/IndiaCulturalCenterHo uston/videos/1117383312399485

https://www.facebook.com/ShatadalTV/videos/38 8723273029279

Vol: 11, Page: 07, June 2022

VSGH Celebrates Kalpataru Day-2022

program from across the globe. Once the Puja

Worldwide, January 1st is celebrated as the

concluded, devotees were allowed into the

first day of the year, calling it New Year’s Day.

center,

On this day, people across the globe send

Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi.

greetings to their near and dear, wishing them

For details:

a happy and prosperous year ahead. However,

to

pray

and

offer

flowers

to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_gD9gdcQQ

Ramakrishna Mission, January 1st celebrate as

Tagore Society Celebrates RabindraNazrul Jayanti -2022

‘The Kalpataru Day’.

Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861.

for

the

disciples

and

believers

of

Devotees

the

and

followers

of

His literary achievements included philosophy,

the

Ramakrishna believe that

whatever

is

prayed on this day will

be

upon.

Houston Society

bestowed

Each

year

Vedanta celebrates

‘Kalpataru Day’ with full of respect and gusto.

On January 1, 2022, the Vedanta Society celebrated both Kalapataru Utsav and Maa Sarada Davi’s Birth anniversary. Resident Swami Atmarupananda conducted the whole proceedings of the worship. Due to COVID

novels, poetry, composing, visual art, and playwriting. All forms of the arts seemed of come naturally to him. Nobody influenced the minds of so many Bengali-speaking people before or after Rabindranath.

Kazi Nazrul Islam, who later became known as the Rebel Poet, was born on 25 May 1899. He

restrictions, only a few volunteers were allowed inside the temple during the worship. For this

auspicious day, Rupa Ghosh performed a couple of devotional songs on Ramakrishna and Ma Sarada Devi during the worship. It was streamed through VSGH’s YouTube channel. A huge number of viewers have watched this

Vol: 11, Page: 08, June 2022

influenced the literary world of Bangla with his

particular being a melting pot of different

poetry, music, philosophies, and revolutionary

cultures.

views. Nazrul wrote most of the poetry on love

Chakraborti

TSH

president

welcomed

Mr.

the

Gopendu

audience

and

emphasized Tagore’s borderless vision and its relevance to modern times. They also projected their future plan and programs.

After that a few songs of Rabindranath ('Hey nutan dekha dik aar bar', 'Jodi tor daak shune' etc) were performed with a group of local artists led by Rupa Ghosh in front of the Tagore statue.

The morning beauty, nice weather, and Tagore’s songs blended beautifully. It was a very nice and freedom etc.

gathering in front of the Tagore statue. This

Tagore Society of Houston (TSH) paid tribute to the Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul

Islam

by

organized

two

separate

programs on May 8 and May 14, 2022.

On May 08, Sunday (Ponchishe Baishakh), the celebration started early morning at the Tagore Grove in Ray Miller Park with reverential garlanding of the Tagore statue, Tagore’s 161st.

program was conducted by Mrs.Sanchali Basu.

birth

was

On May 14, Tagore society celebrates Rabindra

inaugurated by honorable Consulate General of

-Nazrul Jayanti at the Durgabari auditorium.

India, Houston Mr. Aseem R. Mahajan. He

Mr. Gopendu Chakrabarti inaugurated this

elaborated on the relevance of Tagore's writings

event. The program featured some Rabindra

and visions of international brotherhood in the

and Nazrul Sangeet with local artists led by

world of today and of the city of Houston in

Kamlpriya Roy.

anniversary.

The

occasion

TSH's orchestra group and

local dancers performed at the program. In that program, Mr. Raja Bangla played the table.

Mondakini

Chatterjee,

Amit

Sarkar,

and

Dhruba Ghose coordinated this program.

Vivekananda’s 159th Birth Anniversary Swami Vivekananda is one of the spiritual leaders of the world and also a great lover of humanity. He is best known in the United States for his groundbreaking speech to the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in which Vol: 11, Page: 09, June 2022

he introduced Hinduism to America and called

Durgabari Celebrates Drama Fest-2022

for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism.

Bengal has always been famous for its art and

On January 30, 2022, the Vedanta Society of

culture and Bengali theater has made an immense contribution to enriching Bengal’s heritage. Starting from almost the sixteenth century, Bengali theater evolved over time and gained a redefined dimension mirroring sociopolitical and contemporary issues amidst its artistry.

Greater Houston (VSGH) celebrated Swami Vivekananda’s 159th. birth anniversary with full of respect and enthusiasm. Resident minister the

Every year Houston Durgabari society hosts

COVID

‘Dipika Dasgupta Memorial Drama Festival end

restriction, a few devotees were allowed inside

of May. It attracts drama groups from all over

the temple.

the states. This year was no exception. This

Devotee Rupa Ghosh sang a couple of Swami

year’s festival boasted 6 plays over 2 days May

Vivekananda’s

the

28-29 (Saturday and Sunday) at the sur

worship. The whole program was streamed

auditorium in the Durgabari complex. Each day

through the VSGH YouTube channel.

featured 3 plays. The festival was well organized

Swami

Atmarupananda

worship

and

homa.

favorite

coordinated

Due

to

songs

the

during

with food stalls served delicious snacks and dinner prepared by the HDBS kitchen crew.

Houston Observed IMLD-2022 On February 21, 1952, students, and people from all strata of society took to the streets in Dhaka to protest the Pakistan government's refusal to recognize Bangla as one of the state

A huge number of devotees watched this program. After worship, devotees were allowed into the center, one family at a time to pray and offer flowers at the foot of Swamiji’s picture.

For details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEiGjUgsxZo Vol: 11, Page: 10, June 2022

languages and the imposition of Urdu as the

colorful

cultural

presentations

by

multi-

only official language of Pakistan. In this

national organizations and local talents. It

movement, Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiur,

included youth programs, poetry sessions, Drama, and also different types of booths. Both organizations served complimentary traditional breakfast

to

all.

Mr.

Zulfikar

H

Khan,

Chairperson of BAH, Mr. Muhammad S Zaman, President of BASGH, and Mr. Abunaser Zahir, President of Texas Awami Leaque thank all community people who joined their program.

Shatadal TV also broadcast a special program Jabbar, and some other brave sons sacrificed

on February 20 to remember those heroic

their lives to establish Bangla as the state

soldiers who sacrificed their lives and struggled

language. Finally, the language movement is

for this Bengali language. The program theme

indeed the most important turning point in the

was "একুি মান্দন মাথা নত না করা".

history of Bengal, as its spirit led to the

Renowned Rabindra sangeet artist Rupa Ghosh

Independence of Bangladesh through a bloody

from Texas, Hasan Amjad khan, Tanzina Islam,

nine-month war in 1971. Now, the day has been known as International Mother Language Day (IMLD). More than 188 countries in the world celebrate this day to remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for mother language.

Rafique Khan, Raihan Chowdhury, and Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed were joined in this live program. Rupa Ghosh performed some patriotic songs in this program in memory of the martyrs. The whole program was presented by

Every year, the Bangladeshi Community in Houston observed this day with full of respect.

Bangladesh Association of Houston (BAH), Bangladesh

American

Society

of

Greater

Houston (BASGH), and Bangladesh Awami League -Texas separately observed 'IMLD-2022' on their own premises with a Probhat Ferri rally at around 10:00 am followed by a series of

Mr. Kabir Kiron. It was an enjoyable live Vol: 11, Page: 11, June 2022

program. A huge number of audiences enjoyed this program from all over the world till the end.

For Details: https://www.facebook.com/ShatadalTV/videos/29 0201456544352

Vedanta Society Hosts a Spiritual Retreat Vedanta Society of Greater Houston hosts a

A huge number of devotees were present in

spiritual retreat on ‘Managing the Mind’

each episode. The Houston Vedanta Society

from May 6 to 8, 2022. Mataji Pravrajika

arranges lunch for the devotees at the end of

Brahmaprana,

each episode.

Ramakrishna

Resident Vedanta

minister

Society

of

of

Dear Readers

North

Greetings, popular

‘Surangan and

News’

widely

is

a

circulated

Newsletter in the Greater Houston area (Dui Bangla). It entered its 6th year (11th edition).

Texas was invited and the guest speaker in

Please visit:

this program. She delivered her lectures into

➢ www.surangan.org

three secessions on Friday, Saturday and

➢ Surangan YouTube Channel

Sunday. Mataji discusses and explains in detail the ‘Managing of Mind’ in each episode which is listened to with great interest by

Editor Dr. Pradip Ghosh every

devotee.

In

this

retreat

program

Editorial Board

devotee Rupa Ghosh sang a few Tagore and

Mr. Khaled Zulfiqur Khan, Dr. Ashis Roy,

devotional songs.

Dr. Shyamal Saha, Dr. Munir Chowdhury

Published By: Surangan Music School; 17714 Strolling Stream Ln, Richmond, TX 77407 Phone: 832.704.8867; 832.274.6823; Email: surangan2010@yahoo.com; Website: www.surangan.org