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“Cultural Celebrations to Please The Almighty”
‘Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning “to cultivate”)[1] is a term that has various meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of “culture”
in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions.[2] However, the word “culture” is most commonly used in three basic senses:
Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture.
An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning
The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture
Leicester is most certainly the hub of cultural activities in the United Kingdom for our community of people. There is an ever growing demand for regular Dandia-Raas and Garba coaching sessions for both males and females, Bhajans, Dairo Programs, Navratri, Sharad Poonam Dandia, Diwali Gathering, Kids Christmas Party, New Years Eve Celebratory Event, and events coordinated by the new Maher era team.
The year of 2010 was no different with the festive season kicking start on the 2nd of October when Dhanraj Gadhvi and a team of musicians led a ‘Dairo’ at our community centre. Following on, Friday the 8th of October brought with it the first night of Navratri. This year was ever more popular with crowds of people travelling from all over the United Kingdom, bringing with them cultural values of respect and traditions. Once again thousands of people cherished the regular Tadi-Raas, 3-Tadi, Dandia-Raas, Ranjanyu, Heech, and Sanedo. The beat of our Tribal-Dhol alongside Kaathiawari vocals was appreciated indeed!
In addition to the regular Raas-Garba, there were opportunities for young people of our community to take part in fancy dress and Aarti plate competition that was held on Friday 15th of October. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Leicester Maher Community Association to congratulate all of the participants and their parents for positive encouragement. Our sincere thanks to Tamuben Sida, Deviben, Bhanuben Modhwadia, Sonalben Vyas, Pratapbhai Sisodia, and Keshavjibhai Odedra for their immense help during the competition.
The winners are as follows:
Girls
1st Dhruvi Ram Godhania (Maherani)
2nd Meera Odedra (Mataji)
3rd Hiral Odedra (Maherani)
Boys
1st Ayush Ashishbhai Odedra (Varrajo)
2nd Arjun Balubhai Kuchhadia (Hanuman)
3rd Karan Balubhai Kuchhadia (Chakravarty Arjun)
Aarti Plate Decoration
1st Geetaben Maheshbhai Karavadra (Saraswatiji)
2nd Hiralben Odedra (Ganeshbapa Scene)
3rd Rimaben Odedra (Maher Dandia Raas Scene)
The last night of celebrations on Saturday 16th of October was enjoyed by almost 3500 people. With it being the traditional costume evening, hundreds of people wore our elaborate Maher clothing alongside ‘tonnes’ of gold! As encouragement to young people, and following our counterparts in Porbandar, the committee hosted a healthy competition for people who displayed excellent stamina, enthusiasm, and simply enjoyed the traditional dances in traditional costumes. Once again, we would like to thank Bhanuben Sisodia (Coventry), Artiben Sisodia (Coventry), Devshibhai Nathabhai Karavadra (Peterborough), and Savdasbhai Hajabhai Odedra (Milton Keynes) for their time and fair judgement.
The winners are as follows:
Under 16 Boys
1st Rahul Modhwadia
2nd Prahlad Odedra Prize
Under 16 Girls
1st Ridhi Odedra
2nd Sapna Modhwadia
Men
1st Hamirbhai Odedra
2nd Parbatbhai Godhania
Ladies
1st Yamaben Odedra
2nd Sapnaben Anilbhai Khunti
Having enjoyed the festival of Navratri very much, there was certainly a demand for Dassera celebrations, that was hosted on Sunday 17th of October. Indeed people were most excited with the arrival of Sharad Purnima Dandia-Raas night held on Saturday 23rd of October 2010. The red and white colourful evening brought with it Radha-Krishna Aarti, Garba, Dandia-Raas, 3-Tadi, Heech, Ranjanyu, and Sanedo.
To mark the end of the festivities and the triumph of good over evil, Diwali Sneh Milan gathering was held on Saturday 6th of November 2010. Our community brothers and sisters gathered to celebrate Vikram-Savant 2067 at our centre. The evening was organised for our community to get together, meet friends, family, and share Dipawali greetings. Many young people dedicated time and effort to showcase various traditional dances.
Positive Contributions
Over the 9 nights of celebrations, there are various individuals who have made positive contribution to our Gnati through dedication of time, talent, funds, and support. We would like on behalf of the whole committee to sincerely thank the individuals involved in organising the celebrations. It is further notable that our festive celebrations are a huge success due to the hard work of all Dandia-Raas participants, their parents, talented elders, and those who give encouragement. There are many individuals who without a hesitation assist in all sorts of chores at our centre; whether it be sweeping the floor or decorating the place ready for all the guests.
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We would also like to convey the very best of congratulations to both of the Dandia Raas groups (Juniors and Seniors) who have continued to triumph throughout the year. The junior team under the guidance of Pratapbhai Lakhabhai Odedra, Rambhai Modhwadia and Hiteshbhai Godhania secured 1st Prize for best Raas Group and 1st Prize for best Raas Costume at the annual Gujrat Dandia-Raas competition held at Demontfort Hall in Leicester. The ladies Garba group further secured a winning prize at the annual competit
ion. This has been long awaited and certainly made our community proud. Many congratulations and a big well-done!
Another proud factor is our thriving community website, which is kindly administered by Rambhai Odedra. The site is regularly updated with photos, video footages, discussions, events and blogs that can be accessed on www.maheronline.org – please have a look to find out more. On this note, should you have any sources of information based on Mahers – historic or current in the form of pictures, written articles, video clips, translated manuscripts, ornaments etc, please do email Rambhai with the details on info@maheronline.org. Why not write an article based on a travel experience, education, work, our culture etc and submit it with pictures. We also require computer literate volunteers who can help out in managing content and sections of the site so please do get in touch.
Lastly, if you would like to dedicate couple of hours a week and help out at our centre, making a difference instead of sitting back and accepting ways you’re not happy with, please get involved. It is about the next generation, for whom we are trying to unify and preserve our culture. On this note, please do get in touch with any feedback relating to the centre or any of the events being held on my email dkaravadra@hotmail.com. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you during 2011 celebrations!
Dilip Karavadra
On behalf of the Leicester Maher Community Association
Gallery – Leicester Navratri 2010
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