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watched these programs. Both programs were

Houston, Houston,Texas Texas

A News Letter of Surangan Music School – Houston, TX

Surangan Hosted Harano Diner Gaan

live streamed through ‘Surangan’ YouTube

Life during the COVID-19 pandemic has been

channel and ‘Facebook’. Audiences enjoyed the

full of mostly unwelcome twists and turns, but

both programs. Rupa Ghosh, Director of

songs and poems give us great solace that after

Surangan coordinated these programs. Her

every dark day there is a new dawn that brings

direction and teaching ensured these programs

hope, the cycle of life will continue and shall not

become a great presentable show.

lose faith in humanity.

With

many

cultural

events

cancelled

or

postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

These

many organizations around the world have

Sengupta,

Pervin

turned to hosting programs online. To continue

Banerjee,

technical

our

Haque Faisal and video edited by Baidurya

old

traditions

and

remain

culturally

programs

were

anchored

Kulsum

and

supported

by

by

Mila

Baidurya Manirul

Banerjee.

connected, Surangan arranged two online programs on ‘Harano Diner Gaan’ (Old Bengali sons). Over 30 local artists participated in both programs which was held on September 27 and November 08, 2020. A huge number of viewers

Please visit our web site: www.surangan.org Vol: 08, Page: 01, December 2020

Durga Puja goes digital in Houston

priest Buddhadev Bhattacharya, the priest

Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals of the Hindu Community. Goddess Durga symbolizes power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. Every year people wait for this auspicious occasion, however this year, Durga Puja

was

unforeseen

celebrated

under

circumstances.

panel conducted all religious rituals as per established Tithi and rituals. Puja, Chandi Path, Anjali, Arati, Puja Sankalpa and Yagna were performed in accordance with full religious norms.

completely

Due

to

the

unprecedented COVID-19 situation gripping the entire world and for everyone’s health and safety, most of the puja committees arranged their puja program virtually, viewed from the comfort of home and to take the blessings of the

The temple was beautifully decorated, and the entire

premises

adorned

with

scintillating

decorative lights bringing a semblance of puja atmosphere even at Covid times. The entire

goddess.

Puja was live streamed on HDBS YouTube

Houston Durga Bari Society Houston Durga Bari’s event was held from

channel allowing the community members to participate

and

immerse

in

Puja,

albeit

virtually. A wide array of cultural programs was presented by local talents across all age groups as well as artists from abroad.

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH) celebrated Durga Puja on October 17, 2020, in their center. Resident Swami Atmarupananda October 21st. -25th, 2020.

The ongoing

pandemic made it extremely difficult and forced adoption of a virtual format, however the enthusiasm of Durga Bari Executive committee as well as the willpower of the community proved to be a decisive factor, overcoming all

conducted the whole proceedings of the puja. In challenges to befit as a 20-year milestone Puja

this

celebration. The rituals were led by the head

pandemic, only volunteers who were directly

unprecedented

time

of

the

COVID

Vol: 08, Page: 02, December 2020

involved with the Puja were allowed inside the

Greater Houston (VSGH) celebrates Kali Puja on

temple during the worship. The Puja started

8th November but it was restricted from general

with great austerity and devotion, and the live

visitors due to COVID-19’s situation. Only

stream started on the VSGH YouTube channel.

couple of volunteers were allowed inside the

Rupa Ghosh’s melodious devotional songs

center who were associated with the puja

during the entire Puja made the temple

works.

reverberate with divinity. The entire choir could not participate due to COVID restrictions and

there was no accompaniment of musicians

Swami Atmarupananda, resident of VSGH

either. The Puja ended with the Arati performed

performed a short symbolic puja because of his

by the Swami with the chandelier lamp to the

health problem. After that, one family at a time

beat of the traditional dhak. Once the Puja

was allowed inside the shrine hall to offer

concluded, devotees were allowed into the

flowers at Ma Kali’s feet. According to Vedanta’s

center one family at a time to pray and offer

system, Rupa Ghosh sung a series of Shyama

flowers at Ma Durga’s feet. Although the

Sangeet on Ma Kali.

devotees could not attend the Puja in person, but the online streaming provided everyone

34th. Annual Convention of FOBANA Goes Virtual.

with a good flavor of the Puja.

Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in

Vedanta Society Celebrates Kali Puja

North America (FOBANA), is a non-profit, non-

Kali Puja is the second largest festival of Hindu

political and non-discriminatory organization, established 1987. One of the most important goal of this organization is to preserve and promote the language, culture and heritage of Bangladesh. Since its inception in 1987, FOBANA has been working tirelessly in this

community. Ma Kali is the Goddess of strength, wisdom and enlightenment, and was born to save heaven and earth from the growing cruelty of the demons. This year Vedanta Society of

land far away from our ancestral homeland to keep our indigenous culture and commence it to our next generation growing in North

Vol: 08, Page: 03, December 2020

Many famous artists from Bangladesh, North America and over 25 organizations with more than 60 artists joined hands to uphold Bangla culture globally. It was an amazing 8 hours non-stop live program each day that kept audience glued to their screens from starting to finish. It was not a small feat to organize this type of event, especially acknowledging the inherent limitations of technology, all credits go America, primarily. Aside from promoting their

to technical team of this program.

home of origin’s rich culture and enticing delicacies

to

contributing

to

community

development activities, FOBANA have been building good relations and understanding among and within the communities they live in, as well as between Bangladesh and USA. Every year, Team of FOBANA celebrates their annual convention (Friday to Sunday) through nonstop live stage program, but this year due to the

unprecedented

COVID-19

situation

gripping the entire world and for everyone’s health and safety, 34th. Convention was held

The 34th FOBANA convention was inaugurated by renowned journalist, Head of Bangla Service, Voice of America Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, special speeches was presented by Mr. Shah Haleem, president of FOBANA and Dr. Ahsan Chowdhury, secretary of FOBANA. The nonstop 2-days program was smoothly conducted by Cultural committee chair Mr. Abir Alamgir, Nahida Ali Daisy, etc. Their overall narration between the intermissions of segments was beautiful. Finally, this year convention was indeed a milestone for FOBANA families, and Bangladeshi community’s in USA and Canada.

virtually and live streamed through FOBANA TV on November 28-29, 2020. The 34th. Convention theme was ‘FOBANA for Humanity’.

The first ever virtual FOBANA convention, made history, setting up a new example for all other

Overall, the executive committee for 34th.

organizations in entire North America to follow.

FOBANA convention did an outstanding job.

Vol: 08, Page: 04, December 2020

Surangan family is proud to be a part of this

celebrating its 50th Victory Day at home and

convention. A group of Surangan students and

abroad paying tribute to around three million

friends actively participated which was led by

martyrs including students and intellectuals who had laid down their lives for the country during the liberation war.

Though the pandemic Covid-19 has almost paralyzed the whole world barring the people

Rupa Ghosh. Mr. Biplab Samadder and Pradip

from attending any public gathering in person,

Ghosh helped video editing and recording etc.

the celebration of Victory Day this year has a

Special thanks to Amit De (Prince), Khaled

different dimension. For everyone’s health and

Zulfiqur Khan, Hafiz Rahman, Bithi Ahad,

safety, the celebration was organized virtually

Kulsum Pervin, Benajir Khan Bobby, Bina

and live streamed for all to view from the

Mallick, Manirul Haque

comfort of their homes.

Faisal, Puja Roy

(Labony), Shanta Talapatra, Meenakshi Maitra,

Bangladesh Association of Houston (BAH)

Rumana

Uday

celebrated the Bijoy Dibas 2020, through online

Chakraborty, Nandini Sarkar, Amitava Biswas,

platforms for the first time. Over 30 performers

Saleh,

Anupam

Dhar,

Mahasweta Chatterjee, Baidurya Banerjee etc.

Bangladeshi

Community

Celebrates

50th. Victory Day Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan on December 16 in 1971. The day has greater significance to the Bengali nation due to the fact that after 9 months of bloodshed, the state was declared as an independent country in the

participated in BAH’s virtual program which

world.

been

was held on December 27. It was wonderful

celebrating the day as “Victory Day” with the

non-stop live streaming program that kept the

Since

then, Bangladesh

has

audiences glued to their screens from starting to finish. The students of BAH’s Bangla School did excellent performance. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Khaled Zulfiqur Khan,

highest dignity and joy. It is a national holiday in

Bangladesh

and

widely

celebrated

throughout the nation. In 2020, Bangladesh is

Chairperson of BAH. The Ex chairperson of BHA and FOBANA, Mr. Shah Haleem showed

Vol: 08, Page: 05, December 2020

and all martyrs including four national leaders, freedom fighters, Intellectuals, and Students. In

an excellent documentary video on ongoing projects of BAH. This program was successfully broadcasted through Times24 TV channel

celebration of the 50th glorious of “Victory Day”, they arranged a Virtual program for tributes to the

martyrs

of

the

liberation

war.

The

presidents of Texas and Houston Awami League

Mr. Abu Naser Zahir and Mr. Anisur Rahama which is the designated media partner for BAH.

Anish respectively gave a special speech on war

The whole program was conducted by Mr. Kabir

1971. The whole program was anchored by Bina

Kiran, and Dr. Rafiq Khan. Audience enjoyed

Mallick. This program coordinated by Mr. Zulfekar Karne and Shadat Hossain Porag.

Surangan Family proudly joined this online program.

this 3-hr. long victory day’s program through online. Surangan family happily and proudly participated in this program.

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Bangladesh Awami League - Houston and Texas branches also celebrated the day by showing their deep homage to the father of

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

nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 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