The Vasant Panchami Utsav, which will be hosted at the Hindu Prachaar Kendra, will be an extra special occasion this year as it will mark the start of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Kendra Phagwa Festival. This sacred day is chosen annually to launch the Phagwa season at the Kendra.
Both Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Jayanti are on the same day, which marks the beginning of the spring season and the spring festival of Phagwa. The day is observed in a very unique way as the Kendra attempts to capture the spirit of the season in its most vivacious form through flowers, fragrance, fraternity, foods and performances.
Special emphasis is placed on creating the right ambience for the event where homage is paid to Mother Saraswati, Bestower of Knowledge through all the traditional ceremonies and the musical performances which are done as offerings to her.
Geeta Ramsingh, president, Hindu Prachaar Kendra, spoke of the plans for this year’s musical programme. He said: “This is the 19th year that Kendra’s Vasant Panchami is being held as the occasion to launch Phagwa with a formalised programme. Usually we have a featured yajmaan (a performing group or individual) who makes an offering of their musical genre.
“Over the years we have featured Hindustani classical, folk, instrumental, chowtaals, local classical, bhajans and much more but for this year, because it is the landmark 25th anniversary of Pichakaaree (our local Phagwa songs), this is the genre that will be featured. A selection of some of the best Pichakaarees from over the years in various categories. We are planning a grand launch and singers have been busy rehearsing their classics from their archives.”
When Vasant Panchami is over, Pichakaaree singers and composers begin their nightly workshop rehearsals to get prepared for the year’s competition. This period which continues all the way up to the Pichakaaree qualifying round is called “boiling de abeer” and it is ritualised in “boiling the first abeer” over a chulhaa as the concluding activity of the Vasant Panchami programme. The theme for this year’s Pichakaaree competition is Hard Times.
A dramatic excerpt of the Holika Dahan drama will also be presented to give a preview of what can be expected on the night of Holika Dahan. This year’s drama is entitled On the A-gender and it will be presented by community children and youths.
Persons attending Vasant Panchami are invited to bring along incense and flowers for offering and fruits to share with each other. Yellow is the preferred festive colour of the event.
Vasant Panchami takes place at the Kendra Headquarters, Gilibia Trace, Raghunanan Road, Enterprise on February 14 from 9 am to 11 am. All the Kendra Phagwa Festival activities will also take place at the same venue and entrance is free for all events.
• For further info on contact Geetaji (790-6606) or Amrita Maharaj-Dube (685-6133).