Author: Sumaa Tekur
Publication: Deccan Herald
Date: October 15, 2005
URL: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct152005/national20191220051014.asp
It was as if time stood still. Mirror-worked
ghaghras in bright shades of orange, blue and purple twirled in the air as
young girls danced to the tune of Mehndi Tevavi, the traditional Gujarati
garbha number.
Bandhni prints, rich embroidery work with
Indian motifs, huge posters of Indian Gods and Goddesses, strong smell of
incense and camphor and colourful ethnic decorations. This could well be a
scene from the Navrathri celebrations in Mumbai. But here in the heart of
London were Indian students, miles away from their country, trying to recreate
the atmosphere and mood of Navrathri.
Hindu students of six different universities
in London along with Shakti Marg Hindu Network organised the event at Conway
Hall to celebrate Navrathri with Garbha and Dandiya-raas.
Dressed in their best ethnic wear, the students
braved the cold evening chill on Thursday to continue a tradition. The music
band played Hindi and Gujarati numbers as the sticks clacked and the youngsters
formed huge circles to match their steps to the beats.
Swamini Geetha Atmaprakasananda from the Arsha
Vaidya Gurukulam in Coimbatore started the celebrations by lighting the lamp
and reciting a hymn. The youngsters watched in awe and silence as the swamini
performed the puja. "Here are a set of very dedicated youngsters who
want to learn more about Indian Hindu culture and are not ashamed of it,"
she told Deccan Herald.
Raju Patel, 23, dressed in an embroidered
kurta pyjama, with a heavy British accent said: "I grew up in an environment
where I went to the temple on Diwali and other festivals. I attended religious
classes too. I like such gatherings and festivities."
No matter what passports they carry or what
their accents are like, they proved that the Indian tradition is much deeper
than that. Conway Hall, for a few hours was converted into a mini India. Once
out on the streets, it was the cold air and back to the fast life.