Never did I think that I would get so much involved in the Annual Music and Dance Festival of Vedic Heritage Inc. I had first come here five years ago in the role of the master of ceremony for the festival after being introduced to Guru Maa by Pandit Jasraj. But, no sooner did I come into Her contact, that I started realizing Her abundant power and capacity to make people Her friends, disciples and more often than not, bhaktas. The experience that began in 2000, got more and more rich, and my vision got clearer. My respect for Guru Maa has grown ever since. Since then, it has been my yearly sojourn to be a part of the music festival, as an organizer, besides compeering the shows. From discussing the names of the artists with Guru Maa to getting their consent, organizing their participation, travel and the Annual Acharya Vishvanath Dev Sharma Foundation Competition in India and getting the upcoming artists for the Dipawali Music Festival in New York, Guru Maa has entrusted me with the responsibility that I had never thought I would be sharing with Her. But, more than the joy of organizing, it has been the respect for Guru Maa and the trust she has rested in me.

Therefore, this year when Guru Maa was feeling slightly under the weather some time during the month of September, and She spoke to me over the phone, “My child, whether I am alive or not, organizing this program in this manner is your responsibility, and you should continue doing so as long as you are alive.” I was perplexed with this statement. I told Her, “Maa, please do not say such things. We shall together do this program for years to come.”

I was not much surprised to see Pappu Bhaiya – Prajyot Lunavat, at the airport on my arrival at JFK. He told me that Maa had come back to the Mandir that Saturday afternoon from the hospital, that she had an Angioplasty and was recovering, although a little frail. I was expecting a relaxed Guru Maa, occupying Her seat in her office, but She wasn’t around. Nayan Bhai told me that Maa was resting. After a little while when I was told that I could visit Her for a few moments, Maa was lying down and She held my hand and said,” My dear daughter, how should I welcome you? Please take care of yourself on your own. But, promise to me that whether I am alive or not, you will continue to organize and run this program until your death!” This is not done Maa, I didn’t come all the way to hear this from you. You have to get better and we shall organize the programs together!

Friday, 4th November is the first day of the program. Maa was in the hospital again. We begin the two-day Festival with Manch Puja and then I request the audience to join us in the prayer for Maa’s speedy recovery. The entire audience stands up and sings, Sri Hanuman Chalisa, led by none other than Ratan Mohan Sharmaji, the illustrious, able disciple and nephew of Pandit Jasraj. After this, the program begins with Panditji’s vocal recital. Panditji sings, but his Aatma is not there due to Guru Maa’s absence from the audience. He sings Raag Puria. It is unlike Pandit ji to sing only one Raag in a concert, but I think, and all of us in the audience think that he is terribly missing the presence of Guru Maa. Actually, we all are!

We have young artists Kalyani Kane and Mada Spandana perform Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi respectively. They are simply mesmerizing. After this is the vocal recital by Debapriyo Adhikari and Diwaker Kashyap. Audience really had a tough time this year in selecting firsts and seconds in this category. The first day’s program comes to an end with the Flute recital by Pandit Ronu Majumdar. Ronu ji is one of the greatest artists of our country, and is known for his music in Banaras Ang. He was nominated for Grammy’s years back. He has played with renowned musicians of the world. Accompanying him, on the Tabla is our dear Shri Vijay Ghate, who is a well known face to Vedic Heritage audiences by now. Ronuji plays Abhogi Kanhada, and is not allowed by the audience to leave the stage until he has played a Pahadi dhun, and a Bhajan in Bhairavi.

Guru Maa comes back to the Ashram from the hospital the next morning, but does not come to the auditorium. Not that She does not want to, but is not allowed to. Arrangements are made for Her to watch the second day’s performance on the television screens upstairs in Her room as well as in the Temple.

The Festival of the year 2000 had seen phenomenal artists – all the three Padma Vibhushans of that year – Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra. About a year ago, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra passed away. But his tradition of Odissi dance has been kept alive by his son Ratikant Mohapatra and daughter-in–law, Sujata Mohapatra. They gave their lovely Odissi recital – with Bhava, abhinaya, shudha nriitya. Krishna Leelas by Sujata and Rartikant, Sunderkand by both of them and some other compositions by them individually were reminders of the wealth and legacy their father has left them behind.

For the first time on the Vedic Heritage stage, we had young artists playing Santoor and Pakhawaj. Kunal Gunjal on the Santoor and Mrinal Upadhyaya on Pakhawaj. Both were better than each other.

This time when these kids were rehearsing in the Temple, an idea just crossed my mind, why not have a special item choreographed and composed for all of them to sing, dance and play together! I discussed this with all of them, that is, all six of them, and they readily agreed. A traditional thumri in Raag Mishra Pahadi was prepared, practiced a bit and staged. Pandit Jasraj, who was till now sitting in the auditorium wanted to rest and also prepare for his program, which was soon after this item, but I insisted that he stayed back and watch and listen to this special composition. And what an enthralling performance – by all of them! As if they had been performing this for a long time! All artists from different parts of the country, different Gharanas, performed together, retaining the nuances of their respective Gharanas.

Not to mention, they received a standing ovation from the audience.

At the insistence of the trustees and directors, Guru Maa recorded a thanksgiving message along with Her blessings of course, which we all always want and need in abundance! This message was played to the audience who gave a standing ovation to Guru Maa despite Her physical absence in the auditorium.

This was followed by the awards ceremony. Mada Spandana scores first in the audience poll and Kalyani is second in the dance category. In vocals Diwakar Kashyap is first and Debapriyo Adhikari is next. In Instrumental music it is Mrinal Upadhyaya who is first and Kunal Gunjal is next. They are happy that they have had this opportunity to perform in front of such an audience. More than that, they are happy to see Guru Maa, and having made friends with every one around. I am touched when on one afternoon Diwakar Kashyap and Mrinal share their thoughts with us about the competition that is held in Mumbai every year on 21st Dec. and the award money. They are saying that the Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000 awards means a lot to all of them. Diwakar narrates how he was not selected the previous year and had come for the competition to Mumbai after taking a loan from a friend! That when he was not selected, what a heart break he had had for four days, but he then pulled through and decided to participate again the next year and was finally selected. It was a small family, sharing its moments of togetherness and tough times. God Bless Guru Maa, who has created this generation of hope and opportunity.

We had Pandit Jasraj for the grand finale. He was in his full element and began recital with Des and ki Jayjaywanti. Then was our favorite Raag Jog and its bandish – Hanumaan Lala Tum Kaise Lala, with Moorchana, and mishran with Gurjari Todi and other Raags. Finally, it was Ram Lakshman Janki.

Mayor Garner always loved coming to our Dipawali celebrations; but, now Hempstead has a new Mayor, Wayne Hall. We cordially invied him too. He also honored us with his gracious presence. He awarded Vedic Heritage with a citation honoring it for the great service it provides to the Indian-American community. We also honored the Nirmal Seva and Uttam Seva award-winners. Mataji Bishan Devi, old and fragile, but with her untiring stamina and youthful energy, provides great service to the Ashram during the 28-day Akhand Ramayana Path festival. Always with a smile, she is ready to read the holy scripture any time of the day or night! She straongly deserved the Nirmal Seva award. The Uttam Seva award was presented to Shantaben and Motibhai Patel. The Patel family have stood with Vedic Heritage for over 20 years. Whatever the work, they never say no. Motibhai is willing to go to the airport at a moments notice, and does all the seva on Tuesdays and Saturdays without any prompting. Shantaben always is willing to help out in the kitchen for anyone who asks. They are an inspiration to all. Congratulations to the award-winners.

Thank you every body, thank you Guru Maa, thank you Baba.

Jai Sri Hanuman!!