Music often speaks what is not easily expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest. It heals the heart and touches the soul – and this is exactly what this year's 4-city series of events Pitru Vandana – Bhuli Bisri Yaaden had on the people in the community. The events, recently held in Cardiff and Birmingham were smash hits and touched the heart and soul of the community.
Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, along with Hindu Council Wales co-organised the Cardiff chapter of the charity event Pitru Vandana; a musical tribute to fathers through the beautiful medium of music in a specially-arranged programme on June 24.
Held in Hindu Council Wales as a part of a charity programme to raise finds to commemorate the erection and unveiling of Gandhiji's statue in the premises, on October 22, the event saw a spectacular turning as people from near and far areas poured in to participate and forward their support. Well-known singers Mayaben Dipak and Ramhans were at their vocal best as they mesmerised the audience with their soothing voices. The accompanying musicians were Robin (keyboard) Paresh Vaghela (octapad) and Amardeep (tabla).
Pradyuman Halai, the youngest member of the Hindu Council Wales made a presentation during the show to share details on how the funds raised during the programme will be used. The Master of Ceremony, Radhika Kadaba, the General Secretary of the Hindu Council Wales thanked Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for supporting them in their community initiatives.
Kamal Rao, News Editor of Gujarat Samachar introduced the theme and ethos behind the event that was a musical memoire of the contributions of our fathers, close to Father’s Day. Kamal explained the significance of Gandhiji's statue in Cardiff - Wales and tried to raise the audience emotions so they would generously contribute for raising funds to erect Statue of Gandhiji, India's father of the nation.
Kokila Patel, Managing Editor of Gujarat Samachar delivered the vote of thanks to Vimlaben Patel, Chairperson, Hindu Council Wales, Radhika Kadaba, Secretary General, Sudhaben Bhatt Vice President and volunteers for their kind support and praised the artists for putting up their best performance to celebrate Fathers day on behalf of the ABPL Group. The programme was accompanied by fresh, hot vegetarian dinner. The Birmingham chapter was commenced at the Hindu Community Centre in the Swami Vivekananda Hall on June 25. The charity event was organised to raise funds for changing the facade of the Hindu Community Centre, to give it the look of a temple. Kokila Patel, the Managing Editor of Gujarat Samachar urged the community to donate generously, saying that each contribution would go a long way in changing the face of the temple and the community. She also gave credits to Mukeshbhai Ladwa, President of Shri Hindu Community Centre and committee members for their hard work to success the event. Mayaben, along with fellow singer Jayu Rawal managed to keep the crowd captured with their renditions of popular Bollywood songs, along with musicians Anant Patel (keyboard), Naushad (tabla) and Sonu (octapad). As a part of the fund-raising initiative, the audience was made to request for songs for a small charity fee.
The responses from both the events were fantastic, and marked the end of this year's Pitru – Vandana series. The show made its round in Leicester on June 9 and London on June 17, 2017 – all the shows receiving fantastic response and support from the community.
