The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will host Kala Utsav, its annual festival of arts on Sunday at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, beginning at 10:00h.
The Utsav will see more than 200 young people under the age of 25 participating in a friendly competition in the categories of Ramayan chanting, male and female singing, Tassa, classical dance, folk dance , instrumental music and Kirtan singing.
Kala Utsav, which was introduced by the Sabha more than 20 years ago, was conceived as an innovative way to propagate and preserve the Indian art forms. Its intention is to motivate young people to continue the traditions of their foreparents and to achieve excellence in the various art forms, while simultaneously building talent bases in the various regions. It is a launch pad for talented youths across the country and allows for talent to be discovered for future development. Trophies, certificates and cash incentives are given to all participants to encourage them.
Indeed, Kala Utsav has been a launch platform for numerous outstanding Guyanese singers including Vishale Sukram, Purnash Durgaprasad, Artie Sookhai, Ganindra, Bunty Singh, Vidya Ram and Shiva Sankar.
In 2017, 10-year-old Nayakumarie of East Bank Demerara and Karamchand Sugrim of East Berbice emerged the top performers in the female and male singing categories respectively. Karamchand is currently studying Hindustani Classical Vocal Music at the prestigious Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in India, through efforts of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in collaboration with the Government of India.
In 2016, outstanding Kala Utsav musical winner, Suraj Balkarran, was sent to India on a musical scholarship though the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Scholarship Foundation.
Prior to the final Utsav, each of the Sabha’s Praants hold preliminary Utsavs in their communities to select the best to represent them at the finals. Participants will come from Upper Corentyne, Central Corentyne, East Berbice, West Berbice, Black Bush Polder, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara and Essequibo.
Among the highlights of this year’s Kala Utsav will be the Ramayan chanting category, with dramatic depiction aimed at promoting elements of the Ramleela tradition, the Kirtan and folk dance segments in which large vibrant groups are slated to perform. The Tassa category will see some of Guyana’s popular groups competing for the top spots.
It is anticipated that some amazing new singing talent will be discovered on Sunday was well.
All are invited to come and be part of this special day with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. Admission is free.
