Renewal of music traditions on Chicago platform

Veena Festival participants from RAMA Advanced Music Academy

The most celebrated and worshiped South Indian music instrument, the celestial veena, dazzled a 300-strong audience at the 3rd International Veena Conference organized by the Sri Annamacharya Project of North America (SAPNA) in collaboration with India Classical Music Society (ICMS) in Chicago recently. Inspired by the success of previous conferences in 2009 and 2010, this unique festival in April 2011 brought forth over 80 veenas and 100 performers, support on vocals, Western string instruments such as guitars, and classical and folk percussion instruments.

Veena holds an esteemed place in the world of instrumental music. It is the most ancient, most revered instrument that finds mention in Vedic lore as one of the three principle music instruments, along with the Venu (wind instrument) and the Mridanga (percussion instrument). Archeological digs have uncovered gold coins from Gupta regime, inscribed with Emperor Samudra Gupta (330-375 AD) playing the harp, a form of veena.

The chosen theme for 2011 Veena conference was Raga Kalyani, one of the major scales of Carnatic music. Chicagoland's very own artist, Jazz

Rangla Punjab 2011 performers dazzle guests in Chicago

Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford with members of Punjab Cultural Society of Chicago at the 2011 Rangla Punjab event.

More than 250 performers dazzled guests at the "Rangla Punjab 2011, the annual event presented by the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) to celebrate Vaisakhi festival on April 23, 2011, at Copernicus Theater in Chicago.

The five hour long show was attended by more than 1500 guests, including chief guests Dr. & Mrs. Bhupinder Singh Saini of Pain Management Clinics in Wisconsin. The program included bhangra, gidha, Punjabi songs and music, a short play, recognition of sponsors, guests, and the P.C.S. officials, including announcement of the 2011 board of directors.

Bhangra and Gidha performers of all ages ranging from talented young boys and girls to exceptionally entertaining adult artists in a variety of colorful Punjabi costumes from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa performed their best on stage. Performances by college bhangra teams - University of Chicago's Balle Bhangra; Illinois Institute of Technology's Tech De Fateh and University of Iowa's Hawkeye Bhangra - were a delight to watch. The dance moves by the colorfully dressed ladies from "Milwaukee Da Gidha" Team, and "Shaunkna Chicago Diyan," the Chicago gidha, team won the hearts of the audience.

Dan Rutherford, the Illinois State Treasurer, a special guest of honor, in his opening remarks said, "It is my 6th time at this PCS event.

I have also attended PCS sports festivals. I came to you during my campaign and now that I have been elected I must come back to thank you - my friends and supporters. I really enjoy your shows and someday would love to learn Bhangra."

Indian Americans to lend support to Baba Ramdev's Satyagraha

Dr. Bhishma Agnihotri, president of Friends of India Society International, announcing support to Baba Ramdev's Satyagraha.

Friends of India Society International (FISI), the Bharat Swabhiman Overseas (BSO) and the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) have announced their support to Baba Ramdev's movement against corruption in India and his indefinite "Bhrashtachar Mitao Satyagrah" that begins in New Delhi on June 4, 2011.

Addressing a meeting held at the Mahatma Gandhi Center in Wayne, New Jersey, Dr. Bhishma Agnihotri, president of FISI, said groups of supporters will observe a token hunger fast in support of Baba Ramdev's movement, in cities across the US on June 4, 2011.

The OFBJP national executive committee also resolved to organize mass protests on that day in New York City, Upstate NY, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Richmond-VA, Tampa- FL, Houston-TX, Dallas-TX, St. Louis-MO, Atlanta- GA, Chicago-IL, Boston-MA, and California. "India is in trouble," said Agnihotri referring to the rampant corruption in the country. "I am a soldier in the fight against corruption. I told Ramdevji that I will dedicate the rest of my life to this cause."

Another speaker, Jyontindra Patel said leaders like Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare should work together. Corruption, he said, was cancerous and the only cure for it in a democracy was the elections where people have the right to decide. Baba Ramdev, who is known for his healing techniques through yoga and herbal medicine, as also for his political views, has said that he would break his fast only if the government drafts a strong anti-corruption Bill that includes a death sentence for the corrupt. Ramdev's three major demands are: Take initiative to get back the black money stashed in foreign banks; take strong action against the corrupt; and make strong legislation like Lokpal Bill against corruption. OFBJP President, Dr. Adapa Prasad urged the Indian American community to come out and join the protest. Referring to the recent multi-crore scandals involving central ministers, he added, India was never looted in such a fashion either by the Turk- Afghan/Arab-Mongol invaders or European intruders.

Morari Bapu Discourse on July 2, 2011

Morari Bapu

Spiritual Hindu leader Morari Bapu will speak on "Navadha Bhakti" (nine methods of devotion) on July 2, 2011 at 6.30 pm at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Romanti Auditorium. The admission is by invitation only.

Morari Bapu has given 9 daylong discourses in both Gujarati and Hindi all over the world—including India, the US, UK, on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea and on an airplane traveling the world—since the mid-1970s. He has until now conducted over 600 discourses, most of them based on Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas. Dr. Bhishma Agnihotri, president of Friends of India Society International, announcing support to Baba Ramdev's Satyagraha.