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Transcendental Birthday Party in Spanish Fork, Utah
By Caru das

CHAKRA (Spanish Fork, Utah, USA) - The Appearance Day of Shree Krishna (August 11 in North America, August 12 in Europe) for Hindus compares to Christmas Day in Christendom. Five thousand three hundred years ago this Avatar of the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared on earth to protect the pious, annihilate the miscreants, and re-establish the principles of religion. This was accomplished in a span of 125 years even at the end of which the Lord appeared as a fresh blooming youth of 16 or 20 years.

Before returning to His own spiritual abode, the Lord spoke the wisdom of Bhagavad-gita (Song of God) to his friend and disciple, Arjuna, thus leaving behind Him a legacy of wisdom for the ages. So stimulating and profound are these words of Shree Krishna that there have been over 300 translations of Bhagavad-gita in the English language alone.

The Krishna temple at 8628 S Main St. in Spanish Fork has planned a transcendental birthday party for Saturday August 11th to celebrate the event. From 6 pm there will be Indian dance, drama, musical concerts, hot meals, exhibits, and gifts available to all. The following artists will perform between 6 pm and 9:30 pm, with other festivities going until past midnight.

6 pm: Manoranjan Pradhan is one of the most talented, leading male Odissi dancers today. He trained at the Orissa Dance Academy in India with Guru Gangadhar Pradhan (who continues to teach him even today), completing his Master's degree in Odissi dance at Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, through Utkal University, in association with many world-famous Gurus. He is frequently invited to teach and perform in the U. S. A. by such organizations as The Center for World Music in San Diego, the Orissa Society of America, and Indo American Society. An outstanding performer, Mr. Pradhan has received many awards. As a solo and group artist, his performances have been broadcast in India on national and regional television. He has been recognized as an 'A' Grade Artist by the Government of Orissa, and has several compositions to his name. "Highly accomplished Manoranjan looked as though he had stepped out of the timeless foliage of a Konark Temple miniature. "-Indian Times

7 pm: Ben Kunin, a former guitarist, has studied sarod (precursor of the guitar) at the Ali Akbar Music College since 1986 and given many concerts in the San Francisco Bay area. His tabla player will be Debopriyo Sarkar.

8 pm: Ms Asha Ravikumar, a 22 year medical student at Northwestern University, has been trained in classical Indian dance since the age of 5 by Ramya Harishankar, Viji Prakash, and most recently, Guru Smt. Padmini Ramachandran. She graduated as the Valedictorian from Foothill High school in S. California. She is a National merit scholar. In June 1997, Asha appeared in the Orange County registers Special Edition, as one of the Best and Brightest.

Since her Arangetram (debut performance) in 1993, she has given solo performances throughout the USA and India. The program will be a dance drama, focusing on the immortal devotion of Meerabhai towards Lord Krishna. The music is mostly in Hindi, and there will be narration in English. Some of the artists accompanying her are: P. Ramma is an A grade vocalist. . She has been giving performances all over the world. She has been awarded Karnataka Kalasri from the Government of Karnataka. P Janardhana Rao is reputed Mridangam (percussion) artiste of Karnataka. He has widely traveled all over the world. He has given Mridangam support to all the famous dancers of India. His guru is Sri Vasudeva Rao. V. K. Raman is the disciple of Mr. N Ramani. He has widely traveled all over the world. He has given flute support to the famous dancers of India.

9:30 pm-Midnight : Devotional songs and responsive kirtans by local members, culminating in the gala midnight arotik.

A nominal $2.00 donation ($1.00 children) will apply to non-members. For more information contact Caru or Vai (801)798-3559/787-1510. www.ISKCON.net/utah .

© CHAKRA 29-Nov-2003

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