आदरणीय अनमोल सिद्धू जी रंग मंच के कलाकार, एक कमाल लेखक व निर्देशक हैं। इन्होंने अनेक लघु फ़िल्में बनायी हैं और अनेक फ़िल्मों में कलाकार की तरह काम भी किया है। आप की फ़िल्म “जग्गी” को APSA Asia Pacific Screen Awards में बेस्ट यूथ फ़िल्म के लिये चुना गया।आप की लघु फ़िल्म “The Last Tree” को देश विदेश में अनेक अवार्ड मिले हैं। इन की बनायी लघु फ़िल्मों को You Tube पर देखा जा सकता है। इन की कुछ लघु फ़िल्मों के नाम – “गोभी” “जग्गी” “The Last Tree” हैं।
अनमोल सिद्धू जी ने अपनी फ़िल्म जग्गी द्वारा समाज में दबी गंदगी का बहुत निर्भयता के साथ चित्रण किया है। मानसिक पीड़ा और समवेदना को बहुत सुंदरता से दिखलाया है। इस फ़िल्म से हम को यह सबक़ मिलता है कि यौन शिक्षा हमारी युवा पीड़ी के लिये अति आवश्यक है। यौन शिक्षा का आरम्भ घर से व विद्यालय दोनों से होना चाहिये। रमनीश चौधरी उर्फ़ जग्गी व रमन (काल्पनिक नाम) के संग सभी कलाकारों ने उत्तम श्रेणी का अभिनय किया। सभी ने उच्च कोटि का अभिनय प्रदर्शित किया। इसी आशा के साथ कि जो कुछ जग्गी व रमन के संग हुआ वह दोबारा ना हो।
मैं ‘मधु खन्ना’ आप की फ़िल्म को सम्मान देने के लिये – आप की फ़िल्म जग्गी की छोटी सी पंक्ति आप को सुनाना चाहूँगी-
” बन्दा तै जानवर तक नू नहीं छड़दा , फिर मैं तै रमन चीज़ ही की वाँ इस हवस अग्गै ” जददों ऐ हवस दिमाग़ नूँ चडदी आ बन्दा फ़ैर ना तै रिश्ते नाते देखदा , तै ना ही ऐनू बन्दे , बूढ़ी तै पशु विच कोई फ़र्क़ दिसदा ।”
इस शानदार रोचक साक्षात्कार को सुनने के लिये लिंक को दबायें। साक्षात्कार मधु खन्ना जी द्वारा कार्यक्रम “बातें मधु के साथ” लिया गया।
The first item was a demonstration of the twelve names of Lord Ganesha presented by Smt Padmalakshmi. Her energy, vibrance and creative exploration of Lord Ganesha was a treat for the audience. She set the stage for the evening and provided the inspiration for her students to aspire and achieve a high standard.
Bharatanatyam is a story telling dance in which the dancers use poses, expressions and hand movements to communicate mythological stories. The students presented mythological stories of Lord Nadarajah, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna and Hanuman. The expressions, grace and synchronisation of the dancers were commendable. A noteworthy feature of the evening was the interaction of the dancers with the audience, which injected a lot of energy and life in the auditorium and much enjoyed by the audience. The students also enacted a thematic dance drama of Lord Nadarajah, something new for the audience. It depicted the dialogue the devotee engages with Lord Nadarajah in the journey of life, from birth to death. It was meticulously choreographed, exhibiting intense vibrance, energy and intricate movements involving a significant number of dancers, performing alongside the guru. It was not only enjoyable watching this drama but also brought the realisation that the Lord only appears when there is a total surrender.
Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam has students who have just turned three. Teaching these students is not easy as it requires patience, effort and dedication. It was a proud moment for the parents to see their children on stage and demonstrating the mudras and Ganesha slokam while chanting.
Another presentation which received a great ovation from the audience is the Kolattam / dandiya dance by a group of ladies trained within a month, mostly above sixty years with minimal dancing experience. Smt Padmalakshmi wanted to provide the pleasure and joy of dancing to those who did not have an opportunity to do so and also convey the message that age is no barrier to learn anything.
Oikotan Inc. (formerly Oikotan) has grown leaps and bounds in the last one year since its inception in May 2021. 2022 marked a very special year in the journey they set out on where they organized their second edition of “Durga Pujo” in Brisbane. This year was even more special for them as the event marked the beginning of a lot of new traditions.
Oikotan Durga Pujo, a theme based “pujo”, was all about replicating terracotta mandir adorned with intricate detailing and hand drawn wall art. The planning and execution took two-three months to deliver from procuring of materials to cutting to shape and painting on them. While most of the décor was procured in Australia, some had to be ordered from India to make it look more beautiful and complete the look.
Oikotan Inc. in just their second year managed to double their participation from last year’s number with a cumulative footfall of over 500 people over the two days.
The traditional Durga Pujo meal of ‘Khichudi’, ‘Labda’ and ‘Chatni’ arranged by Oikotan not only hit the right spot of traditionalism, but it was also appreciated by each participant on day 2 where over 150+ people had the traditional lunch while over 180+ people indulged in some lip-smacking Indian meals on the first day. Food stall was a welcome addition for all as chai, samosas and pani puri (Phuchka in Bengali) were sold out within the first couple of hours. The fun was doubled up with relentless Adda (casual chit chats), pictures with Maa Durga in a relaxed yet a celebratory environment.
Traditionally, Dashami marks the end of the puja rituals. However, the age-old tradition of giving a farewell to “Maa Durga” by women draped in beautiful traditional sarees was followed at the Oikotan pujo as well where the members bid their beloved daughter a final send off for this year often with tears in their eyes following that up with applying red vermillion on each other’s face which is yet another age-old tradition. While sadness creeped in, celebrations were still on as participants and team members from age groups soon broke into the traditional dance form to the tunes of a very traditional drumbeats, “Dhak er awaj”.
Councilor Sandy Landers shared her lived experience and thoughts on the importance of raising awareness and going beyond understanding to action. There was a presentation by the Black dog institute followed by a powerful and thought-provoking dance by the Nishaan group. This was followed by keynote speeches, Associate professor Dr. Alka Kothari came with a well-researched presentation focused on the importance of men’s mental health, especially during childbirth. At the same time, the female partner gets attention often, and the mental status of men during this time is overlooked. Prof Nigar Khawaja (Ph.D.), Drago Ileana – Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre, and Evelyn Nguyen; Umesh Chandra OAM joined the speakers in the panel session moderated by Arpit Singh.
SPRING HILL, the annual Gandhi Jayanti organized by GOPIO Queensland and supported by FICQ, GSML, Gandhi Statue committee, and other organizations, was held at Gandhi statue near gate six of Roma Street Parkland prescient on 2nd October.
Despite the rainy conditions, staunch supporters of the cause gathered at the statue to pay tributes; Umesh Chandra OAM, the MC, welcomed everyone to the event, and mentioned that while we celebrated Gandhi Ji’s birthday, we should not forget Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji who was also born on 2nd October.
Voters are reminded that Saturday 21 May is election day, and support is available to help them have their say in Australia’s future.
You can use a rapid antigen test to find out if you have COVID-19. The test can be used quickly and privately in your home.
This year, Life Eternal Trust Australia [LETA], popularly known as Sahaja Yoga Meditation organised a public program on Sunday, 20th March from 12 noon to 5 pm at the Sutton’s Beach, Redcliffe to celebrate cultural diversity, and promote LETA’s 30 years of contributions to socio-cultural and economic life, encouraging social cohesion and inclusiveness within the Moreton Bay Region.
The official segment of the program started from 2 pm with Aunty Betty delivering a very insightful acknowledgement of country and Adjunct Professor Dr Sudipto Roy extending a warm welcome on behalf of LETA to all the participants, including the online participants who had tuned in from across Australia and other parts of the world.
Sudipto shared the message from Leanne Linard MP [Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs] highlighting the significance of the program and acknowledging LETA’s contribution to Queensland, Moreton Bay Region in particular. Councillor Sandra Ruck [Division 5 Moreton Bay Region], Councillor Steven Huang [The MacGregor Ward] and Brett Johnson [LETA National Coordinator] shared their wonderful messages of hope and harmony along with deep insights about the benefits of the program.
The speeches were interspersed with live music and instrumental music performances. LETA’s music group Sahaj Sangeet captivated the audience with lively music, rhythmic hand movements and clapping. Coralie Jessop on Santoor with Rudrodipto Roy on tabla thrilled the audience while Rudrodipto’s Saxophone rendition Maroon 5’s “Memories” left the audience with an invigorating experience.
In the last session, Leanne Lingard demonstrated simple meditation techniques followed by a soothing piece by Gaspar Hunt on piano to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. Sudipto concluded the program with a vote of thanks, acknowledging Moreton Bay Regional Council for proudly supporting the event with generous funding, and invited the participants to join follow-up sessions and programs.
