By Ekalavya Das
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Hare Krishna.
__/\`o_
I would like to submit the following report of a successful Youth Festival that I was fortunate to participate in at ISKCON Pune, Maharashtra, India.
The theme was “East or West, Krishna Consciousness is Best.”
We advertised a Mantra Rock Dance Concert with international devotee musicians.
Arjuna Krishna Das: Ukraine: Electric Guitar Gaura Krishna Das: Denmark: Drums Bhakta Robert: Poland: Keyboards Ekalavya Das: USA: Trumpet, Keyboards
The normal attendence of the program is 210 boys. For our special program featuring H.H. Candramauli Swami Maharaja plus our International Mantra Rock Band, there were 800 in attendence.
When we asked the audience to raise their hands to see if this was their first time attending an ISKCON function, we were shocked to see 550 hands go up (approx. 70% of the crowd). 550 totally new boys introduced to Krishna Consciousness through this program brings it into a special historical catagory.
Krishna Bhakta Das a young gentleman devotee working a job said, “Two of my friends came from my company. I had invited them many times before, but they were never interested. But when I invited them for the Mantra Rock dance program, they were eager to come. My friends came to the program, heard the lecture from HH Candramauli Maharaja, and danced and chanted like madmen in the mantra rock program. They were very impressed.”
Candramauli Maharaja’s program was well received, especially the questions and answers. Sitting outsidethe rock show, Maharaja and the boys were talking together till 10:30 pm.
One youth coming for the first time remarked, “Most impressive is to see very talented devotees, who are technologically very apt, yet extremely dedicated in Srila Prabhupada’s service. This was very inspiring”
Another youth remarked in suprise, “In ISKCON, you have all these qualified people?”
ISKCON Pune started Youth Festivals in 1997. It has new built till averaging 210 for each festival.
Bal Govinda Das, the co-ordinator for all Youth Festivals in Pune, remarks, “I was very surprised when I asked the audience that all people coming for the first time could kindly stand up. Practically 70% of the crowd stood up. I was shocked.”
“These are good tools for the boys to invite their friends. Plus, the new boys had tremendous appreciation.”
“Having the Mantra Rock program also broke up the routine. It created some sensation even amongst the devotees. It shook up eveyone.”
We had two programs. One regular program going in the temple hall, and one simulationsuly in our lecture hall.
The show was only for students aged 17 – 25, but those people who were regular Sunday visitors came to the temple for darshan, those that were elderly, or had come to the temple to get blessings for their new marriage, etc. they practically stormed the gates trying to get into the show.
A security person said to them, “I’m sorry, but this for students only.”
Then they shouted, “We are also students! Everyone is a student of Bhagavat Gita. Everyone should be in learning mood.”
Then, we replied, “Yes. However, your classroom is on the other side.”
Promotion:
“We made a rule that all our devotee boys should go through their cell phone directory and make sure that all potential candidates must be called.
We also put up 100 big size posters.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Transcendental Book Distribution:
Books worth Rs. 1900 were distributed. Book table announcements were regularly made for the stage. The musicians from the band were engaged in signing books.
Prasadam menu: Pulau, kadi, “chocolate” (Caramel) Halava. Everything in ghee.
We are currently working on getting articles about the event published in newspapers and editing the video of the event into something that can be shown to further encourage newcomers in Krishna consciousness.
Please give your blessings and pray for us that we can always remain engaged in serving the devotees and in the distribution of the fruits of Krishna consciousness under the guidance of the vaisnavas.
Dasanudas, Ekalavya Das
I am happy to see that Krsna Consciousness is spreading like rock. But if some one hits with hammer very hard it may break. We should not be famous as rock consciousness. Dancing and singing is very good, that is good for physical health but with Halava we need some Chatni at the end of this rock. At the end we need to test after this hard rock, how much interested these new boys for love of Krsna and Radha. That’s why sometimes little speech about Krsna and Radha from Bhagavat Gita is also required as menu in between, with a sudden break. Sometimes chanting of holy name together is most welcome. Some Question answer is also very good in that session that inspires these new boys, that Krsna Consciousness is for not only dancing and singing but also for chanting and knowing about supreme person Krsna. All glory to Prabhupada!
wonderful!
just see- devotees can rock and preach at the same time!
ys
Hari dasa
Haribol!
This is such fantastic news!
Attracting people to Krishna Consciousness in such a dynamic way in Pune!
And to see the model of the new Temple is just as awesome!
IYF Pune has always been right up there… at the forefront!
Keep up the fantastic work!
Ys,
yashoda dulal das (TKG)
Hariiiii Bollllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wat a great news .it is really encouraging to see such boys coming out of their ignorance and taste the bliss in Krishna Bhakti.
Hari Bol !
Srila Prabhupada will be very much pleased with this effort of yours. Please keep up the spirit and of course FOLLOW UP, these new devotees.
All Glories to IYF PUNE.
Ecstatic news! Many of our devotees are excellent musicians. Let them Rock down the material house, and Roll out the Holy Names!