WITH a star studded lineup of artistes, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s annual Phagwah Mela and & Bazaar and Folk Dance Festival, which will be held on Saturday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, from 4pm, promises to be a spectacular event that should not be missed.Heading the list of artistes is outstanding US- based Guyanese singer Purnash Durgaprasad. Trained professionally both in USA and India, Purnash, a former ZEETV USA SAREGAMAPA contestant, is currently an instructor at the Suresh Wadkar Academy of Music, USA. He also composes and produces music and is a phenomenal performer.
Purnash has performed extensively and had the honour of opening for Sonu Nigam’s Concert in New Jersey in 2012 and Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Concert in Guyana in 2013.
Purnash became a household name in Guyana when he took on the role as judge of the popular E-Networks Emerging Voices competition last year.
Purnash will be performing a number of hit songs at the Phagwah Mela and will be bringing with him to provide musical accompaniment Grammy Award winning singer/ song writer and producer Jeremy Mage and percussionist Gabriel Globus-Hoenich.
Also performing will be E-Networks Emerging Voices winner Vishalie Sukram and runner-up Artie Sookhai, along with Rekha Singh, Sookrane Bookdhoo, Dharmendra Gobin and Chevalia Rampersaud backed by the Caribbean Hotshots Band.
In addition, more than 30 dancers from the Sabha’s Dharmic Nritya Sangh, recently out of a successful Naya Zamana, will be presenting exciting choreographies replete with energy, glitz and glamour.
The Folk Dance Festival has become a highlight of the event with the competition intensifying each year. The Sabha is very happy with the great interest expressed by dance groups from across Guyana and looks forward to some electrifying and creative performances from groups coming from Essequibo, Berbice and West and East Coast Demerara.
All of the dancers have been working hard on their performances and are excited to be part of the folk dance festival. Keen competition is expected for the top spots. In the past three years since the festival’s inauguration, the top spots were won by the Saraswati dance group of Essequibo and the Jewan ka Nritya Group of West Coast Demerara. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded.
The grounds of the Conference Centre will be transformed and patrons can move freely from the beautifully decorated stage area to the bazaar, featuring numerous food stalls offering a variety of sumptuous dishes and sweets, mehndi booths, games for all as well as great shopping deals on everything from Indian clothes, jewellery and Phagwah supplies to phones from Digicel.
Strictly no alcohol will be allowed.
Tickets cost $1000 with children under 5 being given free admission. Paid parking will be available within the compound of the Conference Centre. Patrons can also choose to park outside for free.
The Sabha wishes to thank Digicel, ICEE, MAGGI, GBTI, NTN, NCN, IRadio, Rent-a-Tent, Shaline’s Flower Shop and E-Networks for their kind contributions towards the event.
Tickets are available at Red Mango – Robb Street, Bhagwan’s – Water Street, E-Networks – Camp Street, Harrinarain & Sons – Regent Street, Boodhoo’s General Store – Parika, Payless Variety Store – Vreed-en-Hoop and the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra – Prashad Nagar or call 227-6181 or 219-1900.
In addition to the Mela, the Sabha will also be hosting its annual Holi Utsav on Phagwah Day, March 6th at the Everest Cricket Club Ground. In addition to scintillating performances, there will also be powder giveaways, count downs, colour throws, food stalls and other exciting activities at this family event. Holika will be burnt on the eve of Phagwah at the Camptown Ground, Campbelville at 7:30pm.
The Sabha’s countrywide Chowtaal Samelans commenced last Thursday in West Coast Demerara. On Sunday February 22nd, Samelan will be held at the Hope Mandir, East Bank Demerara beginning at 3pm. On Sunday March 1st beginning at 10am, Chowtaal Samelan will be held at the Tain Kendra – Central Corentyne, Shieldstown Mandir – West Berbice, Yakusari Mandir – Blackbush Polder, Better Hope Mandir – East Coast Demerara and the Colombia Mandir – Essequibo. The East Berbice Praant’s Samelan will be held on March 1st at the No. 19 Mandir from 5pm.
In addition to these events, East Coast Demerara Praant’s Phagwah Sangam will be held at the Mahaica Market Tarmac on Sunday, February 22nd at 6:30pm while the Essequibo Praant’s Phagwah Mela is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground. The West Berbice Praant will host Holi Utsav on Phagwah day at the Bath Market Tarmac from 3pm.
The Sabha urges all to attend these events.
(By Alex Wayne)
