Arusha’s special night of the golden bird!

By Valentine Marc Nkwame

All roads led to the Hindu Community Mosque Hall, in the night of Saturday the 23^rd of August when the Hindu society of Arusha held special celebrations there, to mark this year’s India Independence Day.

The celebrations, which started at about 19.00 hours and went on to 23.00 hours, attracted hundreds of Tanzanians of Indian origin, expatriates and visitors from India, working or touring in the country.

This event was organized by Kala Kendra, which is an Indian cultural association (ICA) for both Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions.

"We usually organize various other cultural events in every two months!" said the chairman of Kala Kendra, Hari C. Lal, during a special interview afterwards.

This time however, the association had organized the special night event to coincide with independence day celebrations. "We decided to do it in Arusha for people of this region and Kilimanjaro", said Lal. "Because the Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, will be organizing a similar event in Dar es Salaam".

Apart from the Independence day celebrations, which in the past were being organized at low key, Kala Kendra also organizes the Indian republic day celebrations on every 26^th of January.

The Indian cultural association was launched about six years ago, with the sole mission of helping all people of Indian origin to remain united even while living in foreign countries.

With more than 130 members now, the ICA operating mainly in Arusha and Moshi comprises of Indian expatriates working here and Tanzanians of Indian origin.

The association, according to the chairman, also has a mission to contribute towards the social well-being of the people of Tanzania regardless of their races or social backgrounds.

"We insist on also promoting cultural understanding with other people", added Mr. Lal

Lal believes that, Asia and Africa have very much in common but even more so, India and Tanzania also have close similarities in both culture and environment.

"The Indian technology for instance", points out Lal, "can easily be assimilated here in Tanzania!"

The chairman feels that, the currently imported western technology is yet to be suitable for the local Tanzanian community in terms of both adaptability and affordability.

"This calls for symbiotic relationship between the two countries, Tanzania importing technology from India and in turn, exporting farm produces and other natural products to India", he summed up.

Several years ago, Indian earned the distinguishing name of "The Golden Bird!" Therefore, during the special night event, Mrs Uma Srinivasan, Mrs Anuradha Jha and Mr. Srinivasan were called to revive the memory.

Mrs Umma Srinivasan, had earlier on, curtain raised the whole shebang with, "Saraswati Vandana!"

But the most crowd pulling performance came from the founder of Dashmesh Balak Satsangh Mandal, the 76 years old, Gianij Gurbakhsh Singh Sekhon, who played an harmonium (piano like instrument).

"The Good Lord has kept me", said Gianij. "Most of my age mates have already passed away", he added, during a brief interview after the show.

other performances include: "O Krishna! O Krishna" a group dance by Nikki, Simran, Sidhita, Presha, Shruti and Sonakshi. Children group dances, "Made in India" by Kanika, Akriti, Shruti, Presha, Simran, plus once more, Sidhita and Nikki.

There was also a Gujarat dance by Darshita and Mahak-Ketchup dance by Akriti, Crystal and Kanika and a Bhangra folk dance by Ankita and Abhinandan.

People from Moshi weren’t left behind either, both the Tamil group song and Tamil folk dance were performed by ladies from Moshi while Shreya, also from Moshi did a solo dance.

Other solo performances included a song by Sidhita entitled "Bharat humo Jaan se pyara hai" and solo dance by Nikki entitled "Naardaana!"

The curtains dropped with both the Tanzanian and Indian national anthems. 

Last modified: August 29, 2003.
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