Experience of the “MAIN KAUN” Bhajan program held in Toronto on June 25th, 2010

Siddhartha Dasgupta

For the first time outside India, Saccidananda Society had organized a few bhajan programs from June 22nd thru 27th, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Out of all of the programs, I was only able to attend the Main Program, which was held on June 25th, 2010.

I was at the auditorium that morning to also witness the rehearsals for the program. In fact, I also stayed at the same hotel as all the artists from the evening of June 22nd through the early morning of June 26th. I arrived in Toronto on June 22nd, just after the conclusion of the 1st program (which was held at the Toronto Vedanta Society, also known as the Ramakrishna Mission). On June 23rd, I went with the artists to visit Niagara Falls. Besides the artists, my mom, Jasmine Aunty (Jasmine Rajderkar
of Luxembourg) & Sunetra Aunty (Sunetra Chakraborty of Delhi) were also staying in the hotel, & they joined the artists for the Niagara Falls tour. There was also Guddu Kaku (Mr. Gautam Guha of Delhi), & Mr. Prosenjit Chandra Lahiri with us in the hotel and for the Niagara Falls trip.

The program started with an opening speech by Partha Uncle (Mr. Partha Guha). He gave an introduction on Sri Sri Babathakur and then proceeeded to introduce the artists performing in bhajan program. After Partha Uncle's speech, Mr. Kedar Narayan Bodas sang a couple bhajans – the first one being “Prem Se Bhaja Mana”, followed by “Na Hee Hoo Mai Jeeva Kabhee”. These two bhajans were followed by Mrs. Shaoni Mitra singing “Amrita Madhura Hari Naam Se Lage Ra Ho Man”. After this song, there was an instrumental piece, which was just performed by Mr. Debasish Ghosh on the harmonium & Mr. Pritimoy Goswami on the tabla. After the instrumental piece, a DVD on Sri Sri Babathakur was played for the audience, which was followed by an intermission.

The second half of the program began with two bharat natyam dances performed by Ms. Arupa Lahiry accompanied by live singing by Mr. Kedar Narayan Bodas. The first song was “Hara Hara Shambhu” and the second was “Hridoyete Nache Ma Shama”. It was impressive to see Ms. Lahiry portraying the role of Lord Shiva. After the dances, Mrs. Shaoni Mitra sang a couple bhajans – the first one being “Anande Bhaja
Mana”, followed by “Atmaram Atmaram”. Mr. Kedar Narayan Bodas ended the show by singing a couple bhajans – “Apon Swarupe Poorna Apon” & “Aho Ki Ananda”.

At the end of the event, Mr. Subir Karpurkayastha thanked the audience & uttered a prayer “Om Purna Madaha Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate, Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi ……………………”. The audience joined Subirda in the chanting.