Indian Herald

22/04/2024

KATHAK MAHOTSAV - Pandit Rajendra Gangani performs live in Sydney

The leading exponent of Kathak, Pandit Rajendra Gangani, performed live at ParadeTheatre, NIDA, on Saturday 6 April, as part of Kathak Mahotsav, staged by Sydney-basedSwastik Institute of Dance.

“It is one of the most incredible shows I have ever seen in my life,” said spiritual leader BaiSheetal Shaant Anant, one of the guests of honour, after Pandit Rajendra Gangani’s performance. “I have lived in India most of my life and even there I have never seen a Kathak show like this,” she added.

The show kicked off with a 20-minute segment where Sydney-based students of SwastikInstitute of Dance performed on stage. This was followed by a live performance by PanditRajendra Gangani’s son and accomplished Kathak performer, Sanjeet Gangani.But it was in the second half of the show, when Pandit Rajendra Gangani – recipient of thethe Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – took to the stage and left the audience enthralled withmathematically precise footwork, mesmerising twirls and vivid facial expressions.

“Watching Guruji on stage is always a hair-raising experience, and tonight was noexception,” said Ms Sumati Nagpal, artistic director of Swastik Institute of Dance. The artists performed to live music, thanks to some of the musicians who had flown in fromIndia specifically for this show.

Playing the table was Mr Fateh Singh Gangani; playing theharmonium was Mr Vinod Gangani, who was also the vocalist of the show; while playing thesitar was Sydney-based Mr Rashpal Singh.Sanjeet Gangani Ji started his performance with Dhamaar – a 14-beat taal. With segments such as Uthaan, Paran, Tihai and Ganesh Paran, he left the audience impressed, finishing up with Ram Bhajan, depicting timeless stories from Indian mythology.

Pandit Rajendra Gangani, on the other hand, started his performance with Devi Stuti,followed by todas of Teel Taal – a 16-beat taal – such as Thaat, Uthaan and Paran Aamad.But it was his performance of Mayur Ki G*t that brought the house down. Mimicking the grace and movements of a peacock through sharp body movements, complemented by vivid facial expressions, Pandit Ji delivered one of the best Kathak performances Sydney hasever seen, leading to a standing ovation from the audience.

His Jugalbandi with the tabla player Mr Fateh Singh Gangani was also a highlight of theshow. Mr Fateh Singh Gangani is one of India’s most talented and well-known table players– and he matched the sound of Guru Ji’s ghunghroos to the sound of his tabla - beat for beat, leaving the audience in awe.

This is not the first time Pandit Rajendra Gangani has performed live in Sydney. His performance at the Riverside Theatre in Sydney’s Parramatta also left people speechless in2017.“

Performing in Australia is always a pleasure,” he said after the show. “A lot of people ofIndian diaspora live in this country. Often they visit India and, thereby, ‘visit’ the arts andculture of their country. Organising a show like this in Australia is like bringing the arts and culture of India right at your doorstep.

”The auditorium was packed with audience, including guests of honour such as spiritualleaders from Shri Paramhans Advait Mat: Bai Sheetal Shaant Anant, Bai Sheetal Sagar Anant and Mahatma Shaant Satyanand Ji. Mr Niravkumar B Sutariya and Mr Bal Krishan Anand from the Consulate General of India were also present on the occasion, along with Ms Niyati Mehta, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, and Strathfield Councillor Raj Datta.

The show concluded with Ms Nagpal inviting the special guests on stage – giving them anopportunity to present a token of gratitude to the visiting artists from India in front of theaudience.

About Swastik Institute of Dance:
Swastik Institute of Dance is a Sydney-based performing arts school, specialising invarious Indian dance forms, including Kathak, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Giddha

22/04/2024

14/04/2024

Yagnaseni Musical Theatre Play, organised by SAI Creative Arts Network, SCREAN Australia, Jazbaat Safar and Manju Mittal in Sydney was an unforgettable experience filled with music, memories, and pure magic!

The organisers, cast and crew did wonders. Every scene and every chapter had the audience clapping at the end in sheer joy. The story line was slick was amazingly crafted for stage play.

The costumes and the set designs were great and a visual treat for the eyes. It had great use of multimedia and modern production. The cast used both the floor and stage to give an immersive experience. The use of excellent background graphics and music added to the sophistication of the musical play. The staging of the play during the festive Navratri season made it extra special and the singing rendition of Ya Dev Sarvabhuteshu at the start of the play by the female singers added magic to the experience.

The recreation of the characters was awesome and all actors performed their role amazingly well and held the steadfast attention of audience. Some of the parts of the play were very commendable.

Act 2 of Svayamvara ceremony recreation was world class. Yagnaseni or Draupadi shined in the act of disrobing. She portrayed her emotions of love and anger beautifully. The killing of Abhimanyu was brilliant and very touching. Krishna the Sutradaar was amazing and his dialogue delivery and characterisation was flawless. Shakuni ,the mamshree of Kaurvas was excellent in his attire and his funny mannerisms caught the attention of the audience. Every line he said met with a clap. Characters playing Duryodana and Karna did a great job to bring alive their characters.

In the midst of so many Bollywood concerts in Sydney, a house full show for of Yagnaseni play speaks volumes.

This show is a cultural revolution. What Mahabharata did to the psyche of people in India, this show can do the same in Australia and will open the gates of recreating Hindu religious stories as plays.

Yagnaseni will leave a long term imprint on the minds of those who were able to attend this play. This play deserves a global audience and could be Australia’s first Indian cultural export to the world.

09/03/2024

Jazbaat Yaadon Ka Ek Safar a musical program was such a great success.

The local Sydney artists excelled in presenting a superb musical evening. The Coordination amongst the singers and the musicians was magical.

Well done to the team and look forward to more musical shows from this team.

04/02/2024

12/11/2023

Wishing your Diwali to be abundant with joy, light, peace and safety.

The NSW Police Force hopes Diwali brings prosperity to you and more opportunities for us to work together.

Happy Diwali! 🪔

10/11/2023

17/08/2023

Peter Dutton hails India’s Democracy and Diversity

August is a very busy festive calendar month for Australian Indians, in the midst of big music concerts, Navratri dances and of course the Independence Day, with many Indian associations celebrating this across different days. Australians of Indian heritage celebrated the 77th Independence Day of India amidst a gala function in Sydney in the presence of Peter Dutton, Federal Opposition Leader and many esteemed guests. Having been used to hosting local politicians as guests, this was the first time that a Federal Opposition Leader attended Independence Day celebrations and has raised the bar for future events. The function was organised by Dr Jagwinder Singh Virk, Chairman of India Australia Strategic Alliance and was attended by 300 guests.

Australia-India relationship has been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Australia is one of only three countries with which India holds annual leader-level summits. Australia and India are natural friends and it is just the beginning as the Indian community basks in the glory of increased attention it is receiving from the mainstream. Also, in attendance were Federal MPs, Dr David Gillespie and Julian Leeser, State MP Robyn Preston, Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Peter Gangemi and former senator Eric Abetz along with Timothy Masiu, Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Papua New Guinea. Steve Waugh, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, who has maintained deep connections with India was also present. The guests were basking in glory, in the midst of never-ending demand for selfies and pictures.

The celebrations began with the National Anthems of India and Australia followed by Dr Virk who spoke about the growing relationship between India and Australia and paid glowing tributes to all the invitees and sponsors.

The loudest applause was reserved for Berowra MP, Julian Leeser who has been a student at the IABBV Hindi School, and delivered his speech in chaste Hindi.

Reminiscing of his time as Defence Minister, Peter Dutton said, “For the first time we are joined by forces of India, Japan and United States as part of Malabar exercise. I had great pleasure in working on our Defence Relationship with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the opportunities that are now being realised. Four nations work together to preserve the global stability which has fuelled human progress since the 8 decades.”

Peter Dutton’s Top Quotes

• “Australians of Indian ancestry are one of the fastest growing diasporas in the nation. I thank our 783,000 strong Indian community for their contributions in many fields of endeavour.”

• “On this 76th anniversary of India's independence we reflect on the triumph which is modern India we acknowledge its abiding relationship with Australia we recognise the endeavours of multiple generations of Australians of Indian ancestry and we draw on our shared belief in liberalism to continue to build to continue to better both our countries.”

• “Under the previous coalition government Australia and India elevated our bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed the historic Australia India Economic Cooperation and trade agreement.”

• “At so many levels India and Australia are doing so much more together. Each year we are opening new pipelines of friendship, opportunity and enterprise which must multiply the connections between our two nations.”

• “If there is anything which seeks to strengthen our relationship it is the growing number of Indians who are making Australia, their home.”

16/08/2023

14/04/2023

03/04/2023

Bhagavad-Gita 3.20
-------------------------
𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐀𝐕 | 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀

𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 - 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Free Event Registration is mandatory
Link in Bio or Scan Qr Code

#2023

04/07/2022

27/06/2022

Celebrating 50 years of dedicated service to the , Dr Madhu Patel from 1st Division’s Enoggera Health Centre was recently presented with a commendation by Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr.👏

What keeps Dr Patel going?

📖: https://bit.ly/3N0e8oq

16/03/2022

08/03/2022

Thanks for the love.
trailer has crossed 10M+ views on YouTube.
Releasing worldwide on 11th March ONLY IN THEATRES.

04/03/2022

As the Mary River in Gympie rose, Major Singh provided a safe harbour for about 300 travellers stranded on the Bruce Highway. Some want him named Australian of the Year for his efforts.

27/02/2022

चालो हरियाणवी फाग खेलै। 😄

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝘁? 😉

𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗬𝗔𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔’𝗦 (𝗔𝗛𝗔’𝗦) 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩. ☺️📌

*𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮; 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙍 𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙗𝙮 𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠 👇:

https://tinyurl.com/3vet4545

***𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗡***

09/02/2022

Bringing the story of Kashmir Genocide on the big screen.
releasing on 11th March 2022



Mithun Chakraborty Anupam Kher Darshan Kumaar Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri Puneet Issar Bhasha Sumbli Mrinal Kulkarni Abhishek Agarwal Zee Studios Abhishek Agarwal Arts I Am Buddha Zeecinema Zee Music Company ZEE5