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the magic of Holi. The Basanta Utsav means

Houston, Houston, Texas Texas

A Newsletter of Surangan Music School-Houston (A Cultural Center of Two Bengals)

Eid Mubarak May God Bring You Lots of Joy, Happiness and Good Health Surangan Celebrates Basanta Utsav আহা আজি এ বসন্তে এত ফুল ফফান্তে, এত বা​াঁশি বান্তি এত পাশি গায়, আহা আজি এ বসন্তে

spring festival in the local tongue. It is celebrated very much like Holi. This festival was

an

integral

part

of

Visva-Bharati

University but has long since spread outside those bounds and is now celebrated as a

The king of seasons (spring), and nature

grand

takes the form of a colorful outfit to welcome

community.

festival

across

the

Bengali

our Basanta. Even if the flowers do not bloom, the arrival of spring cannot be suppressed in any way. The Bengalis have a very old history of welcoming the spring as ‘Basanta Utsav’.

Every year Surangan celebrates this festival.

To continue our old traditions, this year Surangan family and friends were arranged ‘Basanta Utsav-2021’ through online. They broadcasted this program on March 10 Rabindranath Tagore introduced the festival

(junior group) and March 17 (senior group).

of Basanta Utsava at Santiniketan to bring

Total 40 artists participated in this virtual Vol: 09, Page: 01, May 2021

program. musical

The

programs

performances,

were

featured

dances,

poetry

recitals, and more. It aired on Surangan YouTube and Facebook. It is true that performing virtually is not as fulfilling as performing in front of a live audience. “We feel more connected that way,” said Rupa Ghosh, Director of Surangan. She said that the performers had been preparing for the event

for

the

past

2/3

weeks.

They

performed from their respective places and their performances were pre-recorded and aired during the show. Specially junior

welcomes the New Year by celebrating the Kalpataru

Utsav.

Priest

Buddhadev

Bhattacharya did a special puja on that particular day. Due to Covid, only a few volunteers who were directly involved with the occasion were allowed inside the temple during the worship.

For this auspicious day, devotees of Durgabari arranged a ‘Geeti Alekhya’ on Thakur’s life. In this program, Rupa Ghosh, Salil Sarkar, Ganesh Mandal, Swapan Dasgupta, Jarna Sarkar, Sweta Bose, and Misha Chakraborty were participated online to show their respects.

All

artists

sang

a

devotional

song

on

Ramakrishna.

group performances were wonderful.

A huge number of viewers watched these programs.

Mr.

Hafiz

Rahaman,

Pervin

Kulsum, Nureen Khan (Bobby), and Bioplab Samader narrated these programs. Both

It was a script-based program and emceed by

programs were excellent. For details, please

Sumanta

visit: 1) http://www.youtube.com/c/Surangan

coordinator of this program.

2) https://www.facebook.com/Surangan.Houston

program was streamed through Durgabari's

Houston Durgabari Society Celebrates

YouTube and Facebook channels. A huge

Kalpataru Utsav -2021

number of viewers have watched this program

Hindus offered their homage and prayer to Sri Ramakrishna Deb on the 1st. of January, every year, Houston Durga Bari Society (HDBS)

Sanyal.

Rupa

Ghosh

was

the

The whole

from across the globe. For details, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7yxQiAz 96U&t=8714s Vol: 09, Page: 02, May 2021

VSGH Celebrates Kalpataru Day and

Bengali

Community

Celebrates

Sarada Devi’s Birth Anniversary

Pohela Boisakh-1428

This year, the Vedanta Society of Greater

Pohela Boisakh is celebrated every year in

Houston (VSGH) celebrated both Kalapataru

the Bengali community on April 14th. But

Utsav and Maa Sarada Davi’s Birth Anniversary

this year Pohela Boisakh wasn’t celebrated

on January 1, 2021, to honor the divine

across the world due to Covid-19. Most of

transformation of the great soul of Hindu, Sri

the programs were canceled to avoid mass gatherings in a bid to break the chain of the virus

transmission

and

most

of

the

organizers arranged online programs to welcome the Bengali New year 1428. Despite all the inconveniences and harsh reality, the pulse of culture never missed a beat, and everyone celebrated Pohela Boishakh in an Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Maa Sarada Devi’s birthday (Maa Sarada Devi’s Birthday on December 22).

unprecedented way.

Pohela Boisakh celebrations have become an integral part of Bengalis culture since it

Resident Swami Atmarupananda conducted the whole proceedings of the worship. Due to Covid restrictions, only volunteers who were directly involved with the occasion were allowed inside the temple during the worship.

began more than six centuries ago. Mughal Emperor

Akbar

introduced

the

Bangla

calendar in the year 1556 of the Gregorian calendar in a bid to streamline the timing of land tax collection in the then “Subah Bangla” region, much of which now falls in Bangladesh and West Bengal.

As a tradition of Vedanta, devotee Rupa Ghosh sang

a

couple

of

devotional

songs

on

Ramakrishna and Ma Sarada during the worship. It was streamed through VSGH’s YouTube channel. Once the Puja concluded, devotees were allowed into the center, one family at a time to pray and offer flowers to Sri Ramakrishna.

For details, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZ7RoBewQ0

This year, SURANGAN family celebrated Pohela Boisakh at home as a 'Boisakhi Adda'. A small group of students and friends of surangan were joined in this program Vol: 09, Page: 03, May 2021

Boishaki

program

on

SHATADAL

TV:

Shatadal TV arranged a special program on ‘Pohela

Boisakh’

on

April

11,

Sunday.

Prominent vocalist MA Shoaib, Rupa Ghosh, Kaberi Rahman, and Hasan Amjad were attended on air.

wearing

the

colorful

traditional

attire,

complemented with delicious Bengali foods, participated in fun games, and adda. Inbetween, everybody sings a couple of group songs on Boisakh. It was a very nice small gathering after a long time.

Boishaki program on JAGORONY TV: It is one of the online TV channels operate from New Jersey, USA. Jagorony TV broadcasted a Boishaki program on April 09 in the name of ‘শিয় শিল্পীর শিয় গান’.

Mrs. Albina Rafique coordinated and was the anchor of this live program. Prominent

Cultural enthusiast, Mr. Kabir Kiron was coordinated and anchored this program. His narrations

and

recitations

beautifully

blended with songs, which was created for a Baisakhi atmosphere for the huge audience.

It was a melancholic treat to the large audience who enjoyed the whole program.

For details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/ShatadalTV/video s/904436457006786

Vedanta Society Celebrates Swami Vivakananda’s Birth Anniversary Swami Vivekananda was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the modern world and a Tagore singer Rupa Ghosh was invited to this program and sang a bunch of Tagore

great lover of humanity. Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH) celebrated Swami

and Nazrul songs on nature and prem genre.

She also sang a couple of old modern songs.

It was a very nice program altogether. A huge number of audiences watched this program and put their valuable comments.

Vivekananda’s Birthday on January 10, 2021,

For details, please visit:

with full of respect and enthusiasm.

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

Vol: 09, Page: 04, May 2021

Swami Atmarupananda resident minister of

Seema sang a series of Tagore and Nazrul songs

VSGH performed the worship and homa.

where audiences from around the globe enjoyed

Following the COVID guidelines, nobody was

and put their valuable comments during the show.

Rupa Ghosh started her song with ‘ওন্ত া ওন্ত া ফর, শবফন্তল িভাত বন্তহ যায় ফয ‘at the begging of the

program, after that she sang a bunch of Tagore songs from prem, nature, and shades genre.

For details, please visit: allowed inside the temple except a couple of

https://fb.watch/43pbf6nEFv/

devotees, who were involved with this worship.

Bangladesh Association of Houston

During this worship, Rupa Ghosh sang a bunch

Observed IMLD - 2021

of devotional songs which were sung by Swami

21st February is known as Shaheed Dibosh and

Vivekananda. The whole program was streamed through the VSGH YouTube channel. After Puja, 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, please visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBM RnASNYnw&t=651s

‘TIMES 24 TV’s Live Show

after the declaration of UNESCO, the day has

‘Times 24 TV’ is a popular online TV channel

been known as International Mother Language

which is operating from Bangladesh and

Day (IMLD). More than 188 countries in the

broadcasted a special program on ‘গান্তন গান্তন

world celebrate this day to remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives.

On this day in 1952, students and people from all strata of society took to the streets in Dhaka to protest the Pakistan government's refusal to

সকাল,’ March 06, 2021, guest-starring eminent singer Rupa Ghosh from Texas and Seema Khan from Washington DC including Kabir Kiran, an anchor in this program. Rupa and

recognize Bangla as one of the state languages Vol: 09, Page: 05, May 2021

and imposition of Urdu as the only official

Shreya Guhathakurta also participated and

language of Pakistan.

gave their best wishes for this program. In this program. BHA’s Bangla school students, who are

born

and

brought

up

in

USA

also

participated and did excellent performances.

Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiur, Jabbar, and some other brave sons of the soil sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla as the state language.

A

couple

of

international

organizations

participated in this event. BHA choir group along with Surangan jointly presented a couple

As we know, the Language Movement is indeed the most important turning point in the history of Bengal, as its spirit led to the Independence of Bangladesh through a bloody nine-month war in 1971.

On February 27, Bangladesh Association of Houston (BAH) organized a virtual event named ‘একুন্তির ডান্তক’ (Ekusher Dakay) to honor and

of patriotic songs. Cultural personality Mr.

remember the ones who sacrificed their lives for

Kabir Kiran conducted the whole program

the language movement. Local talents and

spanning for 3 hours.

BAH’s members participated in this program

audiences enjoyed the whole program till the

while also arranging a small gathering on

end.

February 28 at the Shaheed Minar ground with

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOKqR_CAc8

limited participation in line with the COVID-19

g&feature=youtu.be

measures.

2)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnQlkCM_Mr M&feature=youtu.be

For

details,

A huge number of please

visit:

1)

Surangan is a Bridge of Epar - Opar Bangla --!!

VSGH Celebrates Sri Ramakrishna’s BHA chairperson, Mr. Khaled Zulfiqur Khan, welcomed everyone to both virtual and live programs. Mr. Shah Haleem, ex-president of BHA, and Mr. SM Haleem Mitu, Secretary of BHA also delivered their welcome speeches.

Renowned cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam, choreographer, actress Laila Hasan, writer Lutfor Rahman Riton, and Tagore singer

Birth Anniversary Every year, on the auspicious day of February 18th, devotees around the world celebrate the Birth

Anniversary

of

Sri

Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa Dev who is recognized as a pure Devotee of Maa Kali. Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH) celebrated the 185th Birth Anniversary

of

Bhagavan

Ramakrishna

Vol: 09, Page: 06, May 2021

Paramahamsa on March 14, 2021, with full of respect and enthusiasm. The resident minister

Ekushe medalist Dr. Nurun Nabi was a special guest. Prominent freedom fighters Dr. Ziauddin of VSGH Swami Atmarupanandaji performed

Ahmed, Mr. Golam Farooq Bhuiyan, Mr. Rahat

special puja for Thakur’s birthday. Every year

Hossain, Hassan Amjad, and Dr. Nesar Ahmed

Houston

this

from different states were also joined as guest

auspicious day with full of respect. In this

speakers. Musicians Shahid Hasan, Anup

program, devotee Rupa Ghosh sang a couple of

Barua, Rupa Ghosh, Rafiq Khan, Mallika Khan,

Vedanta

society

celebrates

Hasan Mahmud were also invited and sang different types of patriotic songs, which were enjoyed by the audience. For details, please visit:https://www.facebook.com/ShatadalTV/ devotional songs during the worship. The

videos/463117334936869/

worship ended with arati and pushpanjali. The

Govindaji Gaudiya Matha Celebrates

whole program streamed through the VSGH YouTube channel where devotees watched this

Gaura Purnima

worship from their home. For details, please

Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha is a Gaudiya

visit:

Vaishnava

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjUNs9TGBr0

spiritual guidance of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta

Opening Ceremony of SHATADAL TV

Narayana

Temple Goswami

established

under

Maharaja,

who

the is

recognized as a pure devotee of Lord Krishna in

'Shatadal TV' an online channel newly started

the line of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and as

on March 21, 2021, which is operating from

an authority on the doctrine, culture, and

New York, USA. They arranged a grand opening

practices

of

bhakti-yoga

in

the

Gaudiya

ceremony named as ‘উন্নত মম শির’ and conducted

by Kabir Kiron, CEO of Shatadal TV. It was a huge success, with viewers joining the program from

across

ceremony,

the

globe.

renowned

In

freedom

this

opening

fighter

and

Vaishnava

tradition.

The

devotees

of

Sri

Vol: 09, Page: 07, May 2021

Govindaji Gaudiya Matha celebrated the Gaura

the people, he has lived on amid his 100th

Purnima on March 28, 2021, Sunday.

birthday celebrations.

A special puja was performed by Sripad

The day is celebrated across the country as the

Bhagavat Maharaja with a group of senior

National Children’s Day with the theme of

devotees. A huge number of devotees attended this celebration. When everybody was chanting the ‘Hare Krishna’ kirtan (devotional chanting of God's name) during the worship and mangal arati then the temple atmosphere was created as divinity.

“Bangabandhu’s birthday, rinsing children’s lives

with

colors”.

Various

socio-cultural

organizations were taken up several programs to mark the birthday of the great leader.

Rupa Ghosh was invited to this celebration. She

In Houston, the leaders of Texas Awami League

sang a couple of Bhajans on Lord Sri Krishna

celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of father

during the puja. The whole program also aired

of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

on their Facebook. For details, please visit:

Rahman with limited participation due to Covid

https://www.facebook.com/sggm.houston/vid

restrictions. President of Texas Awami League

eos/281559043528659

Mr. Abu Naser Zahir with his team paid humble

Bangabandhu’s Birthday Celebration

tributes to father of the Nation. In this program

“যতকাল রন্তব পদ্মা যমুনা ফগৌরী ফমঘনা বহমান ততকাল রন্তব কীশতি ফতামার ফি​ি মুজিবর রহমান ” ‘As long as the rivers Padma, Meghna, Gauri, and Jamuna continue to flow, the legend of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will remain alive in the hearts of the people.”

The poem by late legendary poet Annada Shankar Ray speaks of the love of Bengalis for the man named Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest of all Bengalis of all times.

Despite his brutal assassination in 1975 and efforts to wipe out his name from the hearts of

a couple of patriotic song sang by Rupa Ghosh, Bina, Jitu, Bithi, Farida and Marzia. Texas and Houston

Awami

league

leaders

Shahadat

Bhuiyan Parag, Anisur Rahaman, Mostafa R Hasan, Zulfekar Karne, and Apu Bhuiyan participated in a round table discussion on Bangabandhu’s

lifestyle,

followed

by

cake

cutting.

Please Subscribe -SURANGAN YouTube Channel Vol: 09, Page: 08, May 2021

Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASHO goal is to

‘STUDIO NEW YORK’s Live Show ‘Studio New York’ is a popular online TV channel operating from New York, USA. On January

15,

2021,

Studio

New

York

create a safe place for the family members of Autistic individuals- specially to share their concerns and experience. Rubaiya Rahaman

broadcasted a special program with Rupa Ghosh. Cultural personality Mr. Abir Alamgir, was coordinating and skillfully anchored this program spanning for 60 mins. In this show, she was interviewed by Alamgir and told her journey of music from childhood to the present towards the audience.

Director of ASHO, Dr. Animita Saha, Kerbanoo Drozaria,

Prominent

musician

Salauddin

Ahmed, and Rupa Ghosh were joined in this discussion panel. Mr. Kabir Kiron, CEO of Shatadal TV coordinated this program. It was a very informative show. In this program, Mr. In-between, she sang a series of songs from

Salauddin Ahmed and Rupa Ghosh sang a

Tagore and Nazrul where broad audiences from

couple of songs in-between the discussion to

around the world were excited and enjoyed the

supports autistic families to stay positive and

program from starting to finish. This program

assure a sense of belonging in this society. A

was blended beautifully because of Rupa’s song

huge number of viewers watched this program.

and Mr. Abir’s narration thus resulting in an

For details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/ShatadalTV/video s/457333098659401/

excellent program. For details, please visit: 1) https://www.facebook.com/abir.alamgir/videos/10 220743370269077

160th. Birth Anniversary of Kabiguru

2).https://www.facebook.com/abir.alamgir/videos/ 10220742829615561

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the

‘SHATADAL TV’s Live Show

Bengali community was digitally celebrated the art of Indian subcontinent with contextual

On April 25, 2021, Shatadal TV was arranged a

modernism. Nobody

special program on autistic people name

influenced the minds

“Manush Manusher Jonno”. Autism Society

of so many Bengali-

Habilitation Organization (ASHO), NY was

speaking

organized this wellness program. Their mission

before

people or

after

has

been

is to advise and assist the Bangladeshi-

Rabindranath.

American children and youth with Autism

compared, by many, to that of Shakespeare in

His

influence

Vol: 09, Page: 09, May 2021

the English-speaking world. The youngest of 13 surviving children of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, Rabindranath, nicknamed Rabi, was born on 25th of Baishakh in 1268 (May 7, 1861) in Kolkata’s Jorasanko Mansion. His novels, short stories, songs, dance-dramas and essays always speak about the political and

General, Mr. Aseem R. Mahajan. TSH president Gopendu Chakraborti and Vice President Mrs. Mila Sengupa also welcomed everyone. It was a small gathering in front of Tagore statue.

For details, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUIQkTGSZes

❖ Surangan trains and encourages personal life of people.

true ‘Bengali Music’ to our young generations.

Just like last year, Tagore society of Houston

❖ We publish a Newsletter twice a

(TSH) paid tribute to the Gurudev by organized

year, name Surangan News.

an online program with esteemed artists from local and India, which was streamed live from TSH YouTube and Facebook on May 08 and

❖ Surangan believes Music makes

life better and brings together.

May 09, 2021. As a part of program, renowned Tagore singers Manoj Murali and Manisha Murali sang a series of Tagore songs which was a wonderful nonstop live program. As we know, it was no small feat to organize this type of event, all credits go to both Raja Banga ex-

president of TSH, and current treasurer of TSH Suva Biswas for overall coordinated this online program.

The celebration started early morning on May 08, 2021, at the Tagore Grove in Ray Miller Park with reverential garlanding of the Tagore statue.

Editor: Rupa Ghosh Editorial Board Baidurya Banerjee, Manirul Haque Faisal, Uday Chakraborty, Dona Goswami, Pritha Ghosh

The occasion was inaugurated by Consul 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