This Sunday, April 29, the second annual show went over two hours and saw a terrific turnout, to celebrate the foundation of the two states. A huge crowd thronged around cultural performances and free workshops.
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Times Square was rung with the sounds of a band Dhol Tasha Lezhim artists, dressed in colorful traditional attire, which has attracted passers-by from around the world to stop and watch their performance.
Maharashtra Day commemorates the formation of the state when the earlier Bombay State was divided on May 1 1960. Gujarat Day is also celebrated on May 1.
Referred to as the ‘Jewel of Western India’, Gujarat has now completed 50 years. About 59 million people speak Gujarati, making it the 26th most-spoken native language in the world.
The meet was organized by Jai Bharat Dhol Tasha Pathak USA and TV Asia. The unique meet was conceptualized by Dr. Manisha Madhavi of Jai Bharat Dhol Tasha Pathak USA and Srujal Parikh of TV Asia, to showcase the unity in diversity of the Indian rich culture.
The program started with a ‘Ganesh Vandana’, followed by Dhol Tasha music and Lezhim dance presentations. Later, garba and dandiya dances were performed by some local Gujarati artists.
Jai Bharat Dhol Tasha Pathak USA has honored the founder of TV Asia, H.R. Shah, for receiving the Padma Shri award in India and for his philanthropy. Shah was honored by the chief guest Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a fellow Padma Shri awardee, and the founder of Parikh Worldwide Media. Dr. Parikh has also felicitated some other community leaders at the meet.
Madhavi of Jai Bharat Dhol Tasha Pathak USA, said that the crowd this year has enjoyed a demonstration of drums and free workshops meant to create awareness about the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
“The response was overwhelming,” said Madhavi, who started the organization with her husband Vasant Madhavi. “Our aim is to show the unity in our culture and respect the two states have for each other. We get along and support each other,” she added.
This year, the cultural festival saw 60 performers. There were 200 invited guests from Tristate area and Philadelphia.
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Gujarat and Maharashtra on the eve of their Foundation Day on May 1, speaking via video conference to the members of diaspora.
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“I congratulate the citizens of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Both the states have striven to reach the heights of progress continually, contributed to the development of the nation and a number of great people have born in both states have continuously inspired us,” Modi said in his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
By Premji
