Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 On Saturday, June 20th, Shri Surya Narayan Mandir held a joint celebration of Father’s Day and of Hari Om Sharan’s life. This cultural extravaganza was a fundraising venture in aid of erecting a bust of Hari Om Sharanji in Diwali Nagar, Trinidad. It also served as a memorial service for Shri Prakash Gossaiji. The program was chaired by Amar Persaud, the president of Shri Surya Narayan Mandir, and co-sponsored by Anoop Dhanpat, a chela of Dadaji.
Opening remarks and prayers were done by Spiritual Leader Pandit Ram, who spoke about the importance of keeping our dharma alive, and how Dadaji has done such in the Caribbean and for Hindus and bhajan-lovers the world over. Panditji remarked how fortunate he was to have performed Dadaji’s das gaath and Shraad ceremonies at the mandir last year. He also spoke in memory of Prakash Gossai and his contributions to the Guyanese Hindu community, especially in New York City.
Opening prayers were done by a large group of children from the Shri Surya Narayan Mandir Surya Veer Sang program which included the junior, first, second, and third year’s classes.
Many singers from the New York, Trinidad and Tobago, and Toronto communities came to pay their respects at the event by rendering sets of bhajans. Some singers included the Kinar and Payal Seen of Sangeet Vilas Kinar Cultural Center, Bernard Sankar, the mandir’s music class teacher, along with Vishnu and Majorie Brown of the BWIA Indian Orchestra of T&T, and Narendra Ramdular.
The Shri Surya Narayan Mandir dance school performed a devotional Ganesh Vandana number, by Anila Ramsarran, Amy Lalak, and Sarika Persaud, teachers at the dance school, accompanied by a student of the dance school, Nandanie Niranjan. A solo kathak performance was also given by Sarika Persaud. The program ended with a lively medley of dances performed by star “actresses” from movies fathers may have enjoyed in the 70’s and 80’s. Performers included Anila Ramsarran, Amy Lalak, Sarika Persaud, Nishini Kistama, and Kiran Goberdhan. The show was a huge success and the fathers loved it.