On August 7 at Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre; Garba on September 17 at Barfoot & Thompson Stadium
Venkat Raman
Auckland, July 23, 2022
While the past two years have been tough for all New Zealanders with the Covid-19 raging in our communities, signs of recovery have prompted several organisations to return to the stage to present cultural and entertainment programmes.
Among the foremost of these is the Gujarati Sahitya Mandal, which, for the past six years, has been promoting the cultural and social heritage of Gujarat.
A Theatrical Comedy
The Mandal will present ‘Mohanna Tran Vandara,’ a theatrical comedy on Saturday, August 6, 2022 (at 7 pm) and Sunday, August 7, 2022 (at 4.30 pm) at Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre, located at 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden in Auckland.
Mandal Committee Member Sonal Bhavsar-Joshi said that ‘Mohanna Tran Vandara’ is a funny story of three struggling actors in Mumbai.
“Urvang (Orang), Upen (Utang) and Chintan (Chimpanzee) are learning acting from Mohan (Maddy), a failed actor but a successful acting coach. After two years of hard work, they all decide to propose to a beautiful and wealthy girl, Chandani! Rest is suspense. Who will the lucky to marry Chandini and fulfil his dream of becoming wealthy? If you wish to know what happens, please join us at the event,” she said.
The Comic play has been written by Vipul Thakkar and directed by Shailesh Prajapati and Brijesh Oza. Tickets, priced at $25 can be obtained from Viraaj through Text 0272 Viraaj (847225).
Let’s go Garba
Sonal said that the Gujarati Sahitya Mandal is also excited to bring back the popular ‘Let’s go Garba,’ one of the highlights of Gujarati heritage.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Barfoot & Thompson Stadium located at 203 Kohimarama Road, Kohimarama, Auckland.
Sonal said that the programme will be held from 7 pm to 11 pm.
About Garba
Garba, which in Sanskrit means ‘womb,’ implies the reproductive system, unique to women.
Therefore, traditionally the dance form is performed around earthen pots emitting light, denoting the feminine energy capable of illuminating the whole world.
“Garba is performed in a circle, underscoring the metaphor of life-cycle: From birth to life to death and then to reincarnation,” Sonal said.
“It is my social duty to preserve and pass this beautiful culture onto the next generation and to the wider communities. As a Committee Member of the Gujarati Sahitya Mandal New Zealand, my colleagues and I hope to evince the wider interests of New Zealanders in general and Aucklanders in particular. Garba is performed at many events and I hope that ‘Let’s go Garba’ will attract more people this year,” she said.
About Gujarati Sahitya Mandal
The Gujarati Sahitya Mandal New Zealand was incorporated in May 2016 as a not-for-profit organisation. Founders and members of the Mandal are a passionate group of people who are dedicated to Gujarati Arts, Culture, Language and Literature.
Their prime motto is to promote the preservation and development of the Gujarati language, literature, performing arts and culture in every form in New Zealand. Their efforts are directed towards providing a comfort zone to the Gujarati Diaspora, with a special emphasis on the young generation who are desperately looking for a cultural connection and a sense of belonging.
The Mandal organises several community events, which, apart from promoting the arts and culture, explore and expose local talent in performing and non-performing arts.
The events provide a platform for seniors and beginners to showcase their proficiency and aspirations.
