At Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland at 2 pm
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 3, 2021
In what would be an exemplary showcase of solidarity and solemnity, several community welfare organisations will come together on Monday, April 5, 2021 to celebrate Faag Mahotsav, marking Holi, the Festival of Colours and Plenty.
A coordinated effort of 29 organisations, the event will be held at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace Auckland from 2 pm.
This is the first Faag Mahotsav of its kind to be held in New Zealand.
Listen to Hemant Parikh (Radio Tarana and Indian Newslink) Interview with Convenor Rupen Chand here.
Promoting traditional values
Convened by the Hindu Elders Foundation, the Festival has enlisted the participation of several not-for-profit organisations including Auckland Indian Association, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, Gujarati Samaj New Zealand, New Zealand Indian Senior Citizens Association, Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust and Telangana Jagruthi New Zealand.
Faag Mahotsav 2021 Convenor and Hindu Elders Foundation Vice-President Rupen Chand said that such festivals encourage communities to preserve and promote their traditional and cultural values and impart them to the ensuing generations.
“Faag celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the onset of spring in India, and town and village in India celebrates the festival in its own way. Auckland Faag Mahotsav 2021 affords an opportunity to understand the meaning and purpose of the celebration and enable people to connect to their roots,” he said.
Week-long celebrations
Faag celebrations commenced on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, West Auckland.
The programme on Monday (April 5, 2021) will include group dances, music performances including aspects of the eternal love of Lord Krishna and Radha in different parts of India,
Fiji Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar. There would also be Rangoli, Mehndi and Colouring Competitions.
Notes on Faag Mahotsav
The following is an edited version of a Statement from Rupen Chand:
Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, is gaining popularity in New Zealand over the past few years. Celebrated in India and South Asian countries to farewell Winter and mark good harvest, it is known as Festival of Colours because people spray each other with coloured water or coloured powder. It also signifies the victory of Dharma and is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love.
While Holi is marked by many organisations in Auckland, a united effort brought together 29 Associations for initial discussions on February 8, 2021.
Different parts of India will be represented through their states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat, with each group presenting its own unique identity through vibrant performances.
Neighbouring including Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka will also be showcase their cultural richness through performances and stage presentations.
Fiji’s Indian community is expected to feature in a powerful presentation.
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