DOWNEY,CA - With over 160 participants, a sold out audience were entertained and taken down memory lane at Shree Ramkabir Mandir’s annual Diwali program, on Nov 18, at the Civic Theatre, here. The program, ‘Ek Yaadgar’ Safar, was opened in style by none other than the legendary cricket batsman Sunil Gavaskar. He delivered an eloquent and stirring address, using metaphors and examples from his illustrious cricketing career, to highlight the importance of family, cultural values,
and teamwork among and between generations, all central themes of the Diwali program.
‘Ek Yaadgar Safar’ opened with a beautiful backdrop of a small farming village, with 80 young children reliving the childhood of their parents in a village in India. Through the eyes of a school-aged brother and sister, the story depictsed children forming a bond and growth through joy and laughter. They also learn to sing prayers and traditional Bhakta bhajans.
Next, the audience was transitioned into the dawn of adolescence with all that is involved, including college life, finding and falling in love with a life partner and grandiose wedding celebrations. Teenagers filled the stage with dynamic dance numbers and choreography honoring many styles of Bollywood music.
The final phase of the performance demonstrated the complexity of the newly married couple, living in two different countries with each focused on their respective duties; the daughter in law adjusting to her new role in India, while her husband seeks to plant roots in America. The journey of marriage, parenthood and the milestones that come with a family’s quest to create a thriving home and life in a new country is told through song and dance. The 40 participants, many of them mothers themselves, showed that the traditions remained an integral part of the parents lives. Despite being uprooted, these parents wished that the coming generations will hold the values and traditions transmitted to them. Emcee Seema Shah was spot on, again, with her humor and self-deprecation. Appreciation was expressed for the success of the program to the participants, volunteers and lead organizers.
‘Ek Yaadgar Safar’ opened with a beautiful backdrop of a small farming village, with 80 young children reliving the childhood of their parents in a village in India. Through the eyes of a school-aged brother and sister, the story depictsed children forming a bond and growth through joy and laughter. They also learn to sing prayers and traditional Bhakta bhajans.
Next, the audience was transitioned into the dawn of adolescence with all that is involved, including college life, finding and falling in love with a life partner and grandiose wedding celebrations. Teenagers filled the stage with dynamic dance numbers and choreography honoring many styles of Bollywood music.
The final phase of the performance demonstrated the complexity of the newly married couple, living in two different countries with each focused on their respective duties; the daughter in law adjusting to her new role in India, while her husband seeks to plant roots in America. The journey of marriage, parenthood and the milestones that come with a family’s quest to create a thriving home and life in a new country is told through song and dance. The 40 participants, many of them mothers themselves, showed that the traditions remained an integral part of the parents lives. Despite being uprooted, these parents wished that the coming generations will hold the values and traditions transmitted to them. Emcee Seema Shah was spot on, again, with her humor and self-deprecation. Appreciation was expressed for the success of the program to the participants, volunteers and lead organizers.