Hindu Sangam in California

The Hindu Sangam gave yet another opportunity to the South Asian diaspora to indulge in their culture, says Shalini Narang.

For the presentation, preservation, promotion and propagation of the practices and culture of the country of their origin, Diaspora involve themselves in diverse and deliberate efforts and initiatives.

Amongst the South Asian Diaspora, some of the common activities indulged in for the aforementioned practice range from regular visits to temples and restaurants to sojourns to movie theatres showing Hindi and regional language flicks to chaperoning children to Indian language, dance, music and other classes.

The reigning reasoning for the effort quoted by many expatriates is preservation and promotion of their culture and values in their American born progeny.

Here in the Bay Area, not a weekend passes without some south Asian cultural, regional or religious event. From arangetrams and art displays to philosophical and philanthropic activities-the variety in the happenings are exemplary of the country itself.

While the diverse functions and their celebrations highlight the unique and beautiful aspects of the varied states, lingoes and regions of India, few events bind and bring together the South Asian community.

In this regard, it was a delight to see Hindu Sangam—a grand cultural event, attract thousands of people. The celebration is held once in five years in various metros in US. The mammoth function for Silicon Valley took place on Saturday, September 9, at the De Anza College in Cupertino, California. The function comprising a fete, free food and parallel panel sessions on varied topics aimed at providing glimpses of the rich and ancient Hindu heritage. Over Forty religious, social and cultural organisations had joined hands to bring forth this huge celebration of sorts.

Events targeted at promoting spiritual, social and cultural awareness on Hinduism included talks, panel sessions, hands on activities and demonstrations on history, religion, spirituality, yoga, ayurveda, dance, music, art, drama, children's activities and samkirtan. World-renowned scholars, professionals, scientists, social workers, spiritual and religious leaders such as Swami Nityananda, Professor Subhash Kak, author Linda Johnsen and Pratichi Mathur were some of the speakers and panelists in the sessions.

Though the knowledge share and intellectual exchange in the sessions on spirituality, history and religion were immense and extraordinary, the most popular tryst was undoubtedly the children's arena.

The various activities and contests like the shloka competition; art contest, magic show and mehndi application attracted hundreds of tots and youngsters. Seeing a woman donning the attire of a warrior, my eight-year-old went to her and asked: "What are you dressed up as." She patiently said: Jhansi ki Rani and went on to describe the legend of the brave queen. My mesmerized daughter said: "That's so neat. Just like Mulan." Similarly, other parents could be seen clicking pictures of their young with the likes of Vivekananda, Shivaji, Hanuman and others.

Little girls dolled in various Indian attires waited patiently in line for mehndi application. The ancient Indian art form is steadily gaining popularity amongst the mainstream. Participation for Henna workshops in libraries and community centres fills up fast. Going by the painless and transient nature of its application as against the painful and permanent marks of the tattoos, henna can not only be promoted as a family friendly alternative preventing many parent-child squabbles but also as an ancient eastern custom of beauty and camaraderie.

The cultural showcase of sorts ended late in the evening with a musical play on Ramayana enacted by around 300 children and melodious bhajans by Anuradha Paudwal. For the successful execution of the giant festivity, the organisers deserve applause and I hope next time not only South Asians but people of other nationalities and religions will come forth and like my little one serendipitously finding and pointing to the similarity between Mulan and Jhansi Ki Rani, there might be many similar commonalities waiting to be unearthed.