Despite the
rain on Saturday last, the visiting Indian Cultural Group delivered a
mesmerizing performance at the Monument Garden on Church Street. This event was
made possible by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Indian
Commemoration Trust, and was one of the events held in observance of Guyana’s
48th Independence
Anniversary and Indian Arrival Day.
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| Monument Garden Guyana |
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| Kalpana in Monument Garden, Guyana |
After a few performances by Guyanese singers
and dancers, the Indian Cultural group led by Kalpana Patowary who is referred
to as the ‘Bhojpuri Queen’. Her performance included folk, religious and
popular Hindi songs.
Kalpana’s performance was well received by
the audience particularly the Indian nationals who came out for an evening of
live music from their homeland. Following Saturday’s performance, the troupe
traveled to New Amsterdam where they took part in the Independence Flag
Raising ceremony in Region 6. They also participated in an evening of Indian
Music at the Theater Guild.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr.
Frank Anthony noted that arrival day is a significant occasion as it represents
the journey made by our ancestors, and also represents the sacrifices made on
the plantations. He emphasized that those sacrifices must not be taken for
granted.
Minister Anthony stressed that Independence
is also a significant time. While there have been challenges over the last 48
years there is a need for all Guyanese to come together to make a difference in
Guyana.
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| Kalpana Patowary in Indian High Commissioner, Mr Tirath Singh's office |
In his remarks, Indian High Commissioner, Tirath Singh noted that the troupe should have arrived earlier in May
nevertheless the High Commission is pleased that they are here to celebrate
Guyana’s Independence.
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| Indian High Commissioner, Mr & MrsTirath Singh |
With regards to arrival day, Singh explained
that besides the East Indians other groups also arrived around the same time.
Singh emphasized that despite the
geographical distance between Guyana and India there are still some cultural
and traditional ties that keep the two countries together. The link between the
two nations is also evident through visits by Indian artists who frequently
visit Guyana.
Miss India Guyana, Divya
Sieudarsan also graced the event.
Kalpana has already sung in around 9000 songs
for 22 languages, and has play backed in more than 100 Hindi feature films. A
few of them are Akshay Kumar’s -KHATTA MEETHA,WELCOME, DE DANA DAN, Shah Rukh
Khan’s-BILLU BARBER, Priadarshan’s AAROKSH, Ram Gopal Verma’s -RATHA CHARITHRA,
Monty Sharma’s -CHAMKU & MIRCHI.
Ever since Kalpana made her entry into
Bhojpuri music industry, she has taken it to great heights. It was her unique
style of singing that made her so popular among st the masses.
She has been recognized with other famous
Bhojpuri singers like Bhikhari Thakur Samman, Bhojpuri Sewa Samman, Swar
Kokila, Bhojpuri Sangam Samman, Atkrista Gayak Samman, Swar Samragee,
Panchamrit Samman, and Bhojpuri Swar Mallika.
Kalpana’s contribution to Bhojpuri is immense
and she has sung in films, albums and of course the high selling devotional
albums. Some of her hit numbers include ‘Dil Ke Dhadkan’, ‘Man Ke Sawaria’,
‘Blamji’, ‘Rasgulla’ and ‘Pani Bhare Gaini Rama’.
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