By Mahadevi dasi
During the Vrndavana Kartik Festival of 2008, 12 of Srila Prabhupada’s Gurukuli classical artists from around the world, presented a two hr Classical Indian dance and music production called Kartik Vandanam. “Namo Radhikayai tvadiya priyayai”
In the courtyard of the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula, which was lit up with hundreds of small candles, these devotees offered their musical mala of prayers for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, Radhe Syama, Krsna Balaram and our devotee family under the starry, full moon sky of Sri Vrndavana Dhama.
“Spectacular!” commented Indradumna Maharaj. “Each performance was completely captivating! I was very impressed!” This seemed to be the opinions of many senior devotees and hundreds of other Vaisnavas who attended the Kartik Vandanam.
“Prabhupada wanted this! He enjoyed the cultural presentations very much so, when he was with us,” Satyanarayana Prabhu expressed.
“This was like a professional, classical concert that one would pay money to go and see. Simply divine!” said Sarvamangala mataji.
“One of the highlights of Vrndavana Kartik this year,” added Kusa matajee.
“One could feel the joy in the audience. Everyone was up-lifted!”
.”We need to promote these young classical artists, as we do other activities within ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada must have been very proud of his Kulis that evening! It was like a mini Vrndavana Kuli-mela!” exclaimed many other devotees.
It was the first-ever production of it’s kind in Vrndavana ISKCON. Mystically magical for Prabhupada’s young atists to offer their prayers for the last night of Kartik and equally exhillerating for the audience. Srila Prabhupada’s life size photo was in the front row, clapping his hands, sublimely smiling, and blessing us with His Divine Presence.
This troupe of Srila Prabhupada’s classical artists have spent more than ten years in the rigorous disciplines, study, and performances of the Indian Classical Performing Arts. Classical arts were first performed in temples before reaching public venues. Each art has its own history of devotional tradition and thus the various flavors of bhakti are presented through the expressions of each artist.
Srila Prabhupada’s Kuli classical artists are currently performing at other venues…. but are again requesting sponsored opportunities to perform in Prabhupada’s ISKCON Temples around the world for various functions and festivals. Managements do not need to look “outside” for entertainment.
Srila Prabhupada’s second generation are very special as they were born and raised in ISKCON to propagate Lord Caitanya’s HARINAM Mission. Let us support and welcome their devotional services.
We have posted the production of Kartik Vandanam on youtube. There are two parts to the video. Type in Kartik Vandanam. Part 1 and 2 will pop up. We would like to hear your feedback and support. We would also like to come to your temple and enthuse your congregation with a magnificent show!
We are currently working on a Bhagavad-gita dance drama that will be presented for Gita Jayanti. It’s a simple production but we are hoping to embellish, as time goes on. If we had anyone in the ISKCON World, or outside, who would like to sponsor our desires for performing Mahabharata/Ramayana dramas along with classical music and dance, we could develop our devotee troupe into a Broadway style Festival of India……. IN INDIA! This certainly would attract the media……hence Srila Prabhupada would be glorified for his dancing white elephants!
Please help us in this endeavor to spread the Holy Names and Pastimes of Krsna through the medium of the Indian Classical Performing Arts. As thousands and millions of Indian youth turn to Western style music, dance, and entertainment, we can appreciate how these young devotee artists are preserving and presenting the dying culture of the Indian Classical Arts…… for the higher purpose of propagating Krsna Consciousness.
“This Krsna Consciousness Movement will be propagated by the spreading of the cultural arts and education.” (Srila Prabhupada in the Bg Intro)
We are trying to take shelter of our devotee family. Dunyavat and dandavats for your time and consideration. Please give us your guidance, support and blessings….
your servants,
Goura Prema dasi
and friends
Email: paramparadancetroupe@gmail.com
bhakti108123@yahoo.com
Contact numbers:
0981 834 8105
09359199476
Every step is a dance and every word is a song.