IndiaPost.com - Archana's dazzling collage of music & dance

India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The work of India Friends Association exceeds many expectations and exudes integrity. Listening to the members comments, watching video footage, looking through the brochure brought out on their 14th anniversary at the 2008 Archana Discovery of India event , one is aware of the monumental efforts of IFA in empowering the poor in India.

The project's significance lies not only in supplying funds but sends a clear message that we must invest in the world's future. With so many exceptional programs ranging from getting drains cleaned, educating the illiterate, starting micro finance schemes, improving housing conditions, and addressing crucial problems of poverty and health across India, the IFA is made up of volunteers - a dedicated committed team raising funds here in California for their cause.

They firmly believe that the money they send to India has to be monitored scrupulously and to this end IFA works with some of the best professionals who use the money effectively. With so much corruption, bureaucratic and political finagling, it is imperative that funds do not trickle down sporadically but reach the needy in a collective effort.

Let all be free from suffering appears to be the anthem of this remarkable group of Indian American professionals in California, who have determined that helping the underprivileged in India is a labor of love. Kailash Narayan, a long standing member of IFA, told the audience who had come together at the Archana Evening hosted at Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza, that it was a " deep, committed mission and IFA volunteers were the stepping stones to accomplish the mission of IFA". Jagmohan Bajaj, spoke about donations being needed this year and that they had already collected $150,000.

He urged people to solidify the existing network by becoming members and also help with suggestions and critiques for the next Archana event in 2009. Later, Bajaj informs me that "IFA does not have members as such.

No annual membership dues or anything like that. We have sewaks (directors) who are responsible for the overall IFA management and participate in monthly meetings. There are 22 families (one or both spouses from each of these 22 families).Then we have sahayaks (helpers) who help out during the Archana program and the IFA Forum."

The evening which had been marked to raise funds, began on the grounds of the Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza with a tea followed by an enjoyable dinner. Inside the packed auditorium, the crowds cheered the rousing invocation for universal prosperity and peace.

The children were trained by Purnima Prasad, Indu Ramasubramaniyan, Prashant Rao and Surekha Sharma. This was followed by a Children's dance Yeh Tara who Tara where the delightful children themselves were the "stars" of the show dressed in glowing colors and singing their hearts out about having dreams and reaching for the stars.

The group was taught by Jyoti Sahai and Neha Kumar. A five act play Meera Goes to India (script and direction a team effort ) was a set of hilarious sketches about a soccer playing teenager going to a small town in India with her NRI family and confronting hole in the ground toilets, oppressive attention from aunts, a laid back sadhu and fried bagels in a stew (vadais). But she returns leaving a piece of her heart in India.

The characters plunged heart and soul into their characters and had a wonderful time enacting their roles. Basant Raas presented by lead dancers from Manipuri Dance Visions Ensemble (choreographer Sohini Ray) was a guest performance.

The only Manipuri dance company on the west coast brought to the evening an excerpt from one of the Rasleelas where Lord Krishna, his consort Radha and her friends, the gopis celebrate Holi during Basant the spring season.

The beautifully crafted movements, the variety of gestures, and acute attentiveness to twirling and visuals enhanced the fragility and innocence of a cherished dance form. The next item Bollywood dance (Choreography Chandana Kanaglekar assisted by Seema Patel ) was an ebullient, full throttle dance medley by vivacious teenagers followed by gorgeously costumed Karnataka dancers in vibrant colored Congeevaram silk saris performing a spirited Kannada folk dance(choreography Raji Viswanadhan, assisted by Leela Harish) skillfully presented.

The Bollywood Songs presented and directed by Amita Naganand featured not only the effervescent Om Shanti Om songs but put an exhilarating spin on beloved nostalgic Hindi film favorites. The singers and orchestra ensemble enthralled the audience. The evening ended with a brilliant Tillana by Padmalaya (choreography Padmini Vasan).

A Tillana is always a mesmerizing, mathematical configuration of foot and hand movements and the group created the visual power of Bharata Natyam set to a raga by Pandit Ravi Shankar. One hundred adults and children contributed to the three hour program. A massive and motivated undertaking, considering three months rehearsals, and the juggling of school work and family obligations. But they did it.

The energy, vitality and enthusiasm of the audience response made it a program of sheer entertainment. The program, we were warned was three hours long, but this is an annual event and it was a change from the dizzy world of technology, freeways and frenetic living that we inhabit every day.

It was good to rediscover our roots, and traditions, in music and dance, and a challenge to the audience to think intensely about the reality of India and support the IFA mission .in their endeavor to fight against poverty.

A video presentation highlighted the work and achievements and a telling reminder of what can be done by people coming together with one focus in mind to help the helpless. IFA has been moving relentlessly and effectively cross all state borders, they have no particular home town or area they favor. From Tamil Nadu to Jammu, IFA activists act as a catalyst. They do not promote any concept, religion, any political belief or a way of life.

IFA comes to the projects with open minds, and passionate concern in their heart.