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Navrati Festival 2012 at Maher Centre

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Navrati Festival 2012 at Maher Centre

“The festivals are like a map charting our spiritual progress in God”

 

Jai Shree Krishna  ॐ  Jai Durga Mataji

 

26th September 2012                                         Ref. Cultural Celebrations   

Dearest Gnati Brothers and Sisters

We hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. The LMCA have been very busy preparing for the forthcoming celebrations. Please find details of the festivities:

This year’s music will be presented by renowned singers and musicians of Gujarat and is being led by Jeet Keshwala from Porbandar. Please note we are privileged to be able to invite the music group as they are very much in demand.

 Navratri 2012 àTuesday 16th October – Wednesday 24th October 2012

Timescales:           7pm to 11.30pm prompt – Garba for ladies will begin at 7pm

Agenda:                 Garba, Dandia-Raas, 3-Tadi, Heech, Ranjanyu, Sanedo               

(During less busy period’s of Navratri, should any Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Family wish to play mix Raas, with consideration to our traditions and respect to our Elders they are most welcome to. Announcements shall be made and we request for everyone to be prompt as the music team will be limited by time.)

** Please make sure to organise your share holder passes or tickets before Navratri** 

Fancy Dress à Friday 19th October @ 8pm promptly (Entry numbers to be collected on Thursday)

Competition is open to boys and girls 14 years of age and under. Further information and entry numbers can be obtained from Tamuben Sida and Deviben Khunti. We strongly request participants to be in proper costumes. Judges will be looking for unique concepts and effort.

Arti Design à Friday 19th October @ 8pm promptly (Entry numbers to be collected on Thursday)

Arti plate decoration competition is open to children and adults. We would like to request our Elders to especially encourage children and take part in decorating an Arti plate. Further information and entry numbers can be obtained from Bhanuben Sida and Pushpaben Odedra.

Dress Code à Saturday 20th October

We encourage everyone to wear Maher Traditional Clothes on this day during which our Gnati Baheno’s can perform a customary Raasado and the Gents will have an opportunity to play Dandia-Raas to the dhol. (Optional).

Dance/Dress Competition à Saturday 20th October

Following last year’s success, there will be an opportunity for everyone to take part in a healthy competition. Please note, winners will be selected providing the participants are in costume as stated above ‘Maher Traditional Clothes’.

Raffle à Wednesday 24th October

Raffle draw with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be held at 10pm.

Dassera Havan à Saturday 27th October at 12pm

Our Gnati brothers and sisters are invited to attend Havan and Bhajan Celebrations during the day at 12pm. Should anyone wish to take part in the Havan, please register your name with Pratapbhai Lakhabhai Odedra or Geetaben Maheshbhai Karavadra who will be able to provide further information.

Important Information

à Share Holder Passes / Tickets: First of all, we give you our heartfelt thanks for being supportive of our decision to introduce a system of Shareholder Passes and Tickets (for non shareholders). We ask that this support continues to ensure a smooth and enjoyable Navratri festival. To those of you who have not already applied for Shareholder Passes or 9- day family/single Tickets please do so as a matter of urgency. The cut off date for applications to be submitted in order for you to have guaranteed passes or tickets in time for Navratri is Monday 8th October 2012. You can still apply after this date, but there is no guarantee that your Shareholder Passes or Tickets will be ready in time. Furthermore, you will not be able to make these applications on the day at the door. We are sure that you would rather be celebrating Navratri than be involved in lengthy queues to gain entry! For this reason, only single night tickets (£5.00 per person) will be available for purchase at the door.

à Donations/Shares: We would like to sincerely thank our Gnati members for generous donations last year, through which we are able to achieve such projects. There is a request to everyone who has not yet purchased the available shares to do so. Upon the purchase of the £300 membership share, discounted venue bookings will be offered as well as community events such as Navratri being free. Membership will also become restrictive in the near future. Further information and applications are available at our centre.

à Security and Parking: For your own safety, please be advised to follow instructions carefully in the car park. Children should be supervised at all times and warned not to leave the premises while attending the events. The security staff will not hesitate to remove anyone from the premises under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating substances. Please be aware, these events are cultural and we should avoid generating any negative impression in front of children.

à Sponsorship: There are many local businesses that are supporting this year’s Navratri and we will very much appreciate if you can take an interest in finding out more information about their products and services. Please find enclosed some literature and also look out for informative banners, with contact details of the sponsors in our centre. Should you wish to sponsor the event and/or include information about your business/trade then contact Vivekbhai Khistariya (Centre Manager).

à Change of Name/Address: Please update the centre with any changes to personal information or address as soon as possible.

——————————————————————————————————–

Please note that our community website http://www.maheronline.org as well as centre website http://www.mahercentre.com will be updated with information on the celebrations and should you require further information or have any queries, do not hesitate to contact our centre or approach any of the volunteers.

 

Sincere thanks and we look forward to seeing you very soon!

|| Jai Shree Krishna || Jai Mataji ||

 

Dilip Rambhai Karavadra

Geetaben Maheshbhai Karavadra

On behalf of The Leicester Maher Community Association

  Read Newsletter In English

1st official Singles only event

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1st official Singles only event
1st official Singles only event 2012
1st official Singles only event 2012

Dear Singles!
Our Maher Community is widely recognised as one of the most progressive and close-knit around the world. However, our proud community faces many challenges to maintain its identity and rich heritage in modern era.
Marriage is a significant part of our culture and religion. Finding a suitable partner is becoming ever more difficult and community has realised that there is a need to organise Singles Events, hence we have organised the 1st official Singles only event at our new Maher Centre, Leicester on 1st December 2012.
We encourage all singles to register online at www.maheronline.org/events/register-for-singles-event-2012 to attend this event which will be completely free of charge. To register you must be aged between 21 to 39 years old. Parents and community members are requested to support this event by encouraging their sons and daughters to attend the event.
Once registered online you will receive two e-tickets for the event via email, one for the single person taking part and another for a friend or family member that may wish to come.
You can also browse hundreds of profiles online at www.maheronline.org/matrimonials
If you have any further questions regarding this event then please email them to events@maheronline.org or write to Maher Centre, Ravensbridge Drive, Leicester, LE4 0BZ

Dudabhai Rajabhai Karavadra has passed away

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Dudabhai Rajabhai Karavadra has passed away

It is sad to announce that Mr Dudabhai Rajabhai Karavadra from Leicester, UK has passed away. He passed away on Monday 1st October 2012.

Funeral has been arranged for Monday on 8th October 2012 at 7:30am from their residents 27 Havencrest Drive, Leicester, LE5 2AJ
Jay Shree Ram ~ Jay Shree Krishna
Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti

Beej Bhajan 17-09-2012

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Beej Bhajan 17-09-2012
Dilipbhai Karavadra presenting award to Devraj Gadhvi
Dilipbhai Karavadra presenting award to Devraj Gadhvi
Beej Bhajan were held at the Maher Centre Mandir (Temple) on Monday 17th September 2012 from 7pm til 11pm.
Special guest Devraj Gadhvi from India, who has been invited by the Centre to perform several Lok Dairo & Kathiyavadi Lok Sahitiya.
Food & Drink (maha prasadi) was kindly provided by Dilip Ram Karavadra & Family, presently residing in Leicester, originally from Sodhana gam (village) of Porbandar District, Gujarat, India.
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India Meri Jaan by Hitesh keshwala

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India Meri Jaan by Hitesh keshwala
hitesh-keshwala-india-meri-jaan
Hitesh keshwala from Los Angeles, California, USA has produced a short video and song on India called “India Meri Jaan” meaning India is my life. This is great achievement for Hitesh, who is a student.
This just show that no matter how far away you are from your motherland weather you call it India or Bharat or simply “desh” it’s always in your heart and mind.
We should be proud of our country, culture, heritage and above all religion.
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Amarnath Yatra

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Amarnath Yatra
Ice Lingam at Amarnath Cave
Ice Lingam at Amarnath Cave
The Amarnath Goofa, a place where your mind and soul feel pure, your bond with god strengthens and miracles occur.
Within the beauty of Kashmir, lies the sacred temple, the Amarnath Goofa, a goofa were Shankar bhagwans ling forms naturally, and melts down naturally.
Early morning on the 19th of July 2012, we set out on my first ever yatra, with my dad, mum, Jiva mama and Simran mami and from the moment I woke up I knew it would be a memorable one. I had decided that the only way I would get to the top, to the goofa, would be by walking and I knew this was the hardest challenge I had set myself so far. As we started our journey walking from Panjtarni, the weather was hot, but bearable, and I knew walking up hill would be a mission! We began walking with Jiva mama at front, my dad and I in the middle and my mum and Simran mami at the end. Keeping up with Jivamama and his speed walking was impossible, so I persuaded my dad to walk slower!

Amarnath pilgrims en route the holy shrine

Walking on the narrow path on the mountains was scary, especially with horses, palkis and people walking, all both ways, the dangers were high, but the only thing in mind was our destination. I repeatedly chanted only one mantra in my head: “Jai Shankar Bhagwan” and moved forward. As we got higher, the road more dangerous in some places rather than others, the traffic got bigger. As we walked up, our eyes caught sight of two to four people walking on a smaller, short cut pathway; it was then a woman coming down on a horse shouted, “take that short cut, you’ll cut past all the traffic.” Without giving it a second thought we took the “short cut” that ended up to be the most dangerous route ever. The small pathway soon disappeared and we were climbing up the mountain, holding onto the stones to ensure we didn’t fall down, straight into the Amar Ganga. Thankfully we slowly and safely reached the top.
The higher we got, the lower the oxygen levels went, and I was finding it hard to walk, I would be out of breath within seconds. Finally we reached Sangam, the point where all the paths and yatris met  together, at that point Jivamama shouted, “we’re here!” he went forward, leaving us behind to find Simranmami, who had left us behind and gone up on a horse, and that was the last time we saw him that day. It was at this point the hardest part of our journey began. There were three paths leading up to the goofa, knowing our luck at the time, we took the hardest route up. The oxygen was so low, I would walk a few steps at be out of breath, slowly we were walking up, stopping to take a break every five steps. It felt like we had been walking for hours on end but the goofa was getting further and further away.
amarnath map Location in Jammu and Kashmir
amarnath map Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Slowly, painfully the three of us, my dad, mum and I, were getting closer to the goofa. Energy less and breathless I sat down for the 10,000th time, my eyes became heavy and I was feeling extremely sleepy, but I knew not to sleep, my destination was not far, I kept chanting “Jai Shankar Bhagwan” in my mind. My dad suddenly got up and walked forward to find Jivamama, leaving my mum and me behind, but not going too far ahead. After walking some more I was out of breath again, so I sat down on the ice. As I was taking a rest a man, in his late forties, smiled at me and asked where I had come from. Not revealing too much to this stranger, I replied by saying “Gujarat” he smiled at me, I smiled back, got up and began to walk again. Within seconds I sat down again, I could hardly breathe. I sat for about five minutes, my mum sitting further away from me, the same stranger came to talk to me, he asked if I was okay, I nodded as I was unable to breathe, he then took my hand and began to walk with me. I stammered, “m-m-mum” and glanced over at my mum; she had got up and was walking with us. He looked over at my mum, again at me and said in Hindi “don’t worry I’m your mama.”
My heart panicked a bit at first, but seeing my mum at my side I was okay and I walk hand in hand with this stranger, who open heartedly called himself my mama. After walking for some time I was again out of breathe and I sat down again. My new mama saw me struggling to breathe, he took out two oxygen pumps from his pocket and gave me two puffs of each and I was able to breathe again. I was still confused on whether to trust this man or not, but meeting him in such a holy place I did finally trust him.
After walking some more with this man, I found out he was a doctor and ran his own Bhandara, which had space for 300 people to sleep in, they catered food for all yatris, free of charge.  A few more minutes of walking and we caught up with my dad, who had not been too far ahead. The three of us were together again and with my mama, who was slowly taking us to the top. We had soon left the path, all the other yatris were going up, and my mama was taking us up a VIP route. Suddenly out of nowhere we heard our name being shouted out, it was Simranmami, and she had found us, the four of us where together.

Amarnath Cave

Finally after what seemed like forever, we had reached the goofa, it was in front of us. As we stood outside, my mama showed such beauties in the mountains, that we would never have seen if he was not with us. In the mountain opposite the goofa, we saw Sheshnag sitting at the top, his face clearly visible. Further along were two pinds in the mountain, next to each other, representing Radha Krishna. On the far left of the same mountain were five more pinds also next to each other, these representing the five Pandavas, it was amazing how they were the only pinds in the mountains, and how they still existed. On the right had side of the goofa, high up in the mountain, Ganesh bhangwans face was visible, it felt as if he was watching down on us, welcoming the yatris to the goofa. On the left hand side of the goofa, again high in the mountain sat Nandi. Being able to actually see these gods’ faces in the mountains was amazing; this extraordinary creation in such a place could only have been made by God himself. It was after we saw all the gods, we had darshan of the two white doves, the only living creatures up there, the birds that are reborn again and agai
n from when Shankar bhagwan himself was there, making our yatra even more special.
After seeing the amazing creations in the mountains, we headed inside the goofa, thanks to my mama we did not have to be searched, nor did we have to remove any luggage. Once we were at the top, where the old helipad landing was, we removed our shoes, and sat on chairs bought specially for us. It was amazing how every army officer saluted my mama, the respect he was getting proved he was a good man, and we were extremely lucky to have met him. Once everyone had taken off their shoes and put plastic bags on their feet (walking on ice barefooted is impossible, we needed the plastic bags on top of our sock!) we made our way to the front of the gate to do darshan. Thanks to my mama, we stood in the VIP corner, our eyes fixed on the shivling, it was beautiful, and it felt as if Shankar bhagwan himself was standing in front of us. Looking at it, standing there brought tears to my eyes, it was unbelievable, I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to be standing there, I felt like the luckiest person alive. A sense of energy and happiness rushed through my body, my mind and soul felt pure, the tiredness and ache in my body had gone and I felt alive again. I couldn’t take my eyes off the shivling, it was beautiful.
Ice Lingam at Amarnath Cave
Ice Lingam at Amarnath Cave
The shivling was as tall as 8 foot, and next to it a smaller ling, the ling of Mata Parvati. After doing darshan for around 20 minutes, which still did not seem long enough, we moved to the opposite corner, where the pundits stood. Thanks to my mama again, we were given lotas, naryars, parshad, Amarganga water, all from where the shivling was and were made to do pooja. It was an amazing experience; I felt blessed as if Shankar bhagwan himself was around us and had happily accepted our prayers. I was finally there, after all the struggle I had made it and it was unbelievable, all thanks to my mama. On his saying we stayed longer in the goofa, in order to complete the arti, and we decided to stay the night at the top, with my mama. As we stood in front of the ling, waiting for the arti, my mama made a very true statement to my mum, “I have called you my sister and you have called me brother, in this pure and holy place, in front of Bhole Nath himself, it is because of his will we have met, this proves our brother sister bond was meant to be and will last forever.” A man, who was a stranger a few hours ago, was now so close to our heart and had done so much for us, made this an experience we will never forget.

Dhirubhai and Hiriben Dhirubhai Modhwadia, Jivabhai and Simranben Jivabhai Parmar

The experience we had truly was a miracle, we had a magical experience, and for me God himself came in the form of my mama to help me reach the top. One thing’s for sure, dedication, belief and a will can help you accomplish any goal in life. This experience made me more of a Hindu seeing what was in the goofa was amazing and only god can create such a beauty, so high up in the mountains. There is only one thing a fit and healthy Hindu should accomplish in their lifetime, an Amarnath Yatra this is a place where the world’s beauty lies. I’ve been there once and with god’s grace I’ll go there again.
Jai Shankar Bhagwan.
Krishma Dhiru Modhvadia

Introduction of ID Passes

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Introduction of ID Passes
24th August 2012
Dear Gnati brothers and sisters,
We recently wrote to you informing you of the introduction of ID Passes for this year’s Navratri festival celebrations.
As set out in our first letter, the central (and only) aim is to nurture and protect our proud heritage as a Maher Community. Your ID Pass will be your unique identity as a honoured and valued member of this great community. We hold great hope that this bring about renewed sense of belonging and in turn, drive more members to take an active part in our community affairs.
The introduction of ID Passes and ticketing is not for commercial purposes. Furthermore, these ID Passes and tickets will only be available to our Maher Community. We will not under any circumstances sell tickets to the general public.
Our Navaratri celebrations will be just like every year – for Mahers only. In this letter, we will set out details of how this new system will operate in practice. Fear not, help will be on hand at every stage as our clear aim is to achieve a smooth and pleasant transition to this new system. For ease, we have split this letter into separate sections so that you have a clear understanding on the
Process
The sections are:
Section A: Shareholders – this includes both existing shareholders as well as all new shareholders.
Section B: Non-shareholders – this section only applies to you if you are not a shareholder, and for whatever reason, choose not to become a shareholder. This section sets out the ticketing/pass system.
Section C: Becoming a shareholder – this explains the process to follow if you are not currently a shareholder but wish to become one.
Section A: New and Existing Shareholders
We will prepare an ID Pass in the name of the shareholder. This will be done automatically. As an honourable and valued shareholder, you will also be entitled to complimentary passes for all your family members who live at your property. Just provide us with full details for each of your family members at living at your home together with identification as set out in the enclosed leaflet (“ID Requirements”). That’s it! We’ll do the rest.
ID Passes will be ready for collection from the Leicester Maher Centre from Monday 3rd September 2012. You must collect you ID Pass from us by no later than Sunday 30th September 2012. We are operating a collection only basis. We will not post the ID Passes for reasons of data protection and security. We need to be sure that you have received your ID Pass in order that you can peacefully enjoy the wonderful Navratri celebrations.
Please do let us know if you are unable to personally collect the ID Pass(es), so that we can agree alternative arrangements. You should be aware that in all instances, the original identification will be required to be presented before the ID Pass will be released.
We would remind you that there will be free entry for those under the age 18 years or over the age of 65 years as well those who are disabled. They will not need an ID Pass. We would advise however that you do keep some ID with you as door-staff may carry out random checks!
Section B: Non-shareholders
We appreciate that there will be members from our Maher Community who are, for whatever reason, unable to become shareholders this year,. We want you to also be able to enjoy the Navratri celebrations. You will however be required to purchase tickets.
In our last letter, we set out details of the ticketing prices. To re-cap, these are:
● £5.00 per day (per person)
● £50.00 for 9 day family pass (family members in the same household)
● £30.00 for a 9 day pass for single persons
You will need to contact us with your full details together with identification as set out in the “ID Requirements” leaflet for yourself (as well as for each member of your family if you are buying a family pass). We will take down all the necessary information and then process your application. We aim to issue you with your ticket passes straight away provided you have all the information and identification which we request from you.
Section C: Becoming a Shareholder
We very much hope you will become a shareholder in Maher Samaj (UK) Ltd. As already stated, the basic requirement is that there only needs to be just one shareholder in a household in order for all your family who live under the same roof to enjoy free admission to Navratri.
With this letter, we have attached an application form which we sincerely hope you will complete and apply for purchase of shares.
The process is very easy and straightforward.
1. Complete the application form and take requisite fee and hand this into Maher Centre office. You will be given a receipt for the fee and application. This application will be checked by the Company Secretary of Maher Samaj (UK) Ltd who may contact you for further details. Please remember that we (that is, the LMCA) do not have authority to issue shares to you. This is the sole and legal right of the Maher Samaj (UK) Ltd.
2. You should also let us have full details (including identification) for all the other members of your family for whom you will require ID Passes.
3. Once your application has been approved by Maher Samaj (UK) Ltd, you will then issued with an ID Pass for yourself (as well as your family members where you have requested so).
4. That’s it! You will also be pleased to hear that this process will be speedy and in most instances, you will be able to receive your share certificate and ID Pass on same visit.
If you are still unsure or undecided, you can ring either Mr. Nagajan Bapodara on 07866 493221 or the Maher Centre on 0116 242 5360 before hand and we will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
Further information and enquiries
We trust that the information contained with this letter will have answered your queries. However, if you have any queries or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be pleased to hear from you.
We have appointed Pritiben Badiani to oversee this whole process independently and impartially. Pritiben is a very experienced and capable person. She will be happy to deal with any enquiries you have relating to ID passes, tickets and becoming a shareholder.
We sincerely thank you for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of The Leicester Maher Community Association
Dr Bhimabhai Odedra
Managing Trustee
Lakhansibhai Modhwadia
President
Nagajanbhai Bapodra
Secretary

Maher Raas Group performing at World Gujarati Conference 2012

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Maher Raas Group performing at World Gujarati Conference 2012
Senior Maher Raas Group from Leicester, UK have been invited to represent Maher Community for the 3rd time in New Jersey, USA.
Leicester Maher Raas Group will be performing at the World Gujarati Conference 2012 called “Chaalo Gujarat” organised by AIANA. AIANA…a five lettered abbreviation that resonates and represents an entire community bound by immortal culture, ethics, brotherhood and warmth. AIANA (Association of Indian Americans of North America) was formed to renew the spirit of being a Gujarati and being an Indian. This very spirit, in turn, has helped the community to enliven and strengthen its work and its sense of being.
AIANA represents the basic philosophy of the majority of Indian-Americans in the United States. It is an organization, which provides a platform, through culture, art as well as business and commerce, to Gujaratis worldwide to express in many different ways. For more information of the show visit their website www.worldgujaraticonference.com
Leicester Maher Raas Group will be performing on 31st August, 1st & 2nd September 2012.
Maher Rass Group Leicester during WGC 2008
Maher Rass Group Leicester during WGC 2008
The show will attract over 45,000 people over 3 days. Along with many bollywood, politicians, the event will also have Moraribapu & Bhikhudan Gadhvi.
Senior Maher Raas Group performed in 2006 & 2008. As in 2006 & 2008 Maher Raas Group Performances will be highlight of the show this year too.
Group members attending this great show are:
Dilip Keshvala
Pratap Modhwadia
Hitesh Godhaniya
Ram Modhwadia
Nilesh Goraniya
Bharat Sindhal
Jaisel Odedra
Rohan Sida

Mahesh Ranavaya

Devdut Modhwadia
Lakhu Godhania
Mandanbhai Odedra

Akash Odedra's "rising at the place"

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Akash Odedra's "rising at the place"

It’s the dance equivalent of a red-carpet event to get Akram Khan, Russell Maliphant and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui as choreographers on the same programme. And it says much for talent of the south Asian dancer Aakash Odedra that all three have created solos for his new show.

  1. Aakash Odedra
  2. The Place,
  3. London
  1. Until 20 March
  2. Box office:
    0116-242 3595
  3. Venue website

Odedra is a very interesting dancer to watch, not least because he’s physically so different from his mentor, Akram Khan. Where Khan is powerfully compact, Odedra’s skinny body is animated by a jangling, rogue energy. Opening with his own solo Nittra, he barely seems tethered by gravity as his limbs fly out in extravagantly angled shapes.

In the piece created by Khan, however, Odedra is transformed. Crouched low to the ground, with odd grunting noises issuing deep from his belly, he looks like a creature from Ovid, a human spirit trapped in animal form. Parts of his body flex and quiver in painful isolation; he shuffles on his knees; he arches back in a sudden howl. It’s a technical tour de force.

The solo is also wonderfully lit by Michael Hulls, who, along with Maliphant, is co-creator of Cut. Here the light forms a single flat plane that causes Odedra’s undulating body to catch fire and glow whenever he comes into contact with it. Then, with a switch of perspective, the light carves out a deep arched corridor, perfectly framing Odedra as he spins quietly and raptly, at accelerating speeds.

It’s like a prayer, and by comparison Cherkaoui’s Constellation is more lightweight and whimsical; with Odedra dancing amidst a dozen of dangling light bulbs Overall, the evening doesn’t quite deliver the A-list choreographic experience it promises. But it certainly establishes Odedra as a dancer to follow.

Article taken from : http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/feb/26/aakash-odedra-review

akash-odedra-risingThe title of Kathak dancer Aakash Odedra’s current showcase may well refer to his own status within the dance community – the young performer’s star has been quietly in the ascendant within the contemporary South Asian dance scene for the past couple of years, with the result that Odedra now finds himself working with a trio of top choreographers for this solo mixed bill. The programme is a step forward for Odedra as a performer, who here embraces identifiably contemporary modes of performance inflected through his Kathak training, if not a great leap forward for South Asian dance.

Akram Khan is the first of the big names on the programme, with the intense and often uncomfortable In The Shadow Of Man . Opening in near-darkness with Michael Hulls’ careful lighting design picking out Odedra’s super-slim frame and extreme shoulder dislocations, the piece shows the dancer in bestial mode. Prowling on the floor and spasming animalistically, his body is isolated in space and shown in all its raw physicality with no suggestion of narrative or character. It’s a bold piece for Odedra, starkly different from the erect grace of Kathak and showcasing his flexibility and control; I enjoyed the way Khan pushed the severe mood right through to the end of the piece without respite, even if this sometimes made for uneasy viewing.

Following his recent adventures in fine art, Russell Maliphant’s Cut finds the choreographer back in gestural pure-dance mode. Lit by a hazy sheet of light, created by regular Maliphant collaborator Michael Hulls, Odedra thrusts his arms in and out of the audience’s view; now we see a raised palm seeming to beckon us into the light, now it’s gone. The box of light that subtly strobes a whirl of limbs and Andy Cowton’s electronic score all call to mind Maliphant’s celebrated Two ; this version comes with added chakkars and wrist flicks straight out of the performer’s own vocabulary melded with moments of Tai Chi. It’s an effective combination and enjoyable to watch.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Constellation probably takes Odedra furthest from his usual movement idiom, although the soft rolling falls and hypermobile backbends are well within the choreographer’s standard vocabulary. Performed within a beautiful hanging set of oversized lightbulbs that swing around the dancer as he swirls and tumbles about the stage, Constellation is visually arresting and its silky releases easy on the eye. Gradually the bulbs calm into stasis and Odedra selects one, drawing energy from the others to make his chosen bulb burn brighter. There’s something a little haunting and melancholic about this final image, as though Odedra has drawn life itself from the other lamps, leaving them coldly dark while his own blazes. Not labouring the point, however, Cherkaoui is happy to leave his piece lightly suggestive.

Rising is introduced by a short classical Kathak solo choreographed by Odedra himself, which serves largely to illustrate how unlike Kathak the rest of the programme is. Other than usefully benchmarking Odedra’s personal challenge in working with new styles, however, Nritta sits ill at ease within the programme and appears to come from an altogether more traditional showcase. It also, strangely, seems to suit Odedra’s body less well than the other pieces in the programme, showing up technical deficiencies in the footwork (although his ease and control in the upper body are exemplary). A trio of the three guest works without the classical filler would make for a more coherent programme, and allow the contemporary works to speak for themselves. I look forward to Odedra pushing yet further at the boundaries of his craft on his next outing.

REVIEWED BY LISE SMITH

Article Taken from : http://londondance.com/articles/reviews/aakash-odedras-rising-at-the-place/

More links:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/feb/26/aakash-odedra-review

http://www.punjab2000.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3324&Itemid=2

http://dancingreview.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/rising-aakash-odedra-robin-howard-dance-theatre-the-place-london-25-february-2012/

http://www.thepublicreviews.com/rising-curve-theatre-leicester/

 

 Pukar news http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aSCoNAepqQ


rising the latest company production documenter 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsvqKEgw6cE

cut – choreographed by russell maliphant 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dgz7e_mXpw

russell talking about cut 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DPaMghm5I4

In the shadow of man – choreographed by Akram khans (Olympic ceremony opening choreographer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aJVVx94M68

Akram talking about in the shadow of man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc66-apU7k4

constellation – choreographed by sidi larbi 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucbuibK7vQ

sidi larbi talking about constellation 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKR1x6I9k30&feature=relmfu

AKRAM KHAN TALKING ABOUT MY SADLERS WELS PERFORMANCE 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv99QrJgIAI

invisible man 

Mr Maldebhai Visana has passed away

Maheronline
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Mr Maldebhai Visana has passed away
It is sad to announce that Mr Maldebhai Visana from Leicester, UK has passed away. He was a senior member of the Leicester Maher Community. He passed away on Friday 10th August 2012.
Funeral has been arranged for Friday 17th August 2012, 7:30am am from their resident 1 Dorset Street, Leicester, LE4 6BG
Jay Shree Ram ~ Jay Shree Krishna
Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti
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