Long registration lines, bad weather cancelling flights and yet the volunteers managed to make it all work smoothly, as over 2000 delegates and distinguished speakers have started making their way to the sold- out World Hindu Congress in Chicago.
People happily mingled with each other over savory snacks and hot cups of tea until it was time to head to the Grand Ballroom for an evening that began with homage to Yogananda Paramhansa, and Swami Vivekananda, the Hindu way of life and the legacy of the great masters who enriched the world with their knowledge and wisdom.
The chanting of mantras, a scintillating Bharat Natyam performance by the passionate and elegant Pavitra Srinivasan, who has showcased over 500 of her own dance recitals world wide and runs Arsh Kala Bharati, where she teaches not just dance, but meditation, vedic heritage, the essence of Bhagwad Gita to the emerging new generations. She said it was an honor to dance in the land graced by Vivekanada, and offer a prayer that all be aligned in their thinking, and appreciate the vision of vedic culture through vedic chants and Mangalam a composition by Pandit Ravi Shankar celebrating the five elements, human life and “the auspiciousness that permeates entire life forms and energy in this universe”.
It was followed by a beautiful musical performance by singer par excellence Kavita Krishnamurti and her husband, the brilliant legendary violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam. Kavita sang three bhajans all reinterpreted by the respective musicians and lyricists. Shri Ram Chandra Kripalu bhaju man, Om nama Shivaye and the Mira bhajan, Jo tum todo piya . It was followed by a piece By Dr Subramaniam in praise of Lord Krishna in raga kaafi.
A young group of singers from Equador, brought the glory of Lord Krishna in Brindavan and the mountains to the stage through their chants singing his praise.
A 2 minute silence was observed in honor of the lost lives in the recent Kerala floods. The cultural show was followed by an elaborate vegetarian dinner.
Excellent article