CUPERTINO, CA: To mark the advent of spring and to celebrate India’s New Year, Cupertino Bhubaneswar Sister City Initiative (CSBCI) hosted Sankranti / Baishakhi event on Sunday April 23 at De Anza Visual and Performing Arts Center, Cupertino, CA.
This was a celebration of the spirit of New Years in Odisha along with other states of India – Pana Sankranti (Odisha), Baisakhi (Punjab), Bihu (Assam), Maithili New Year, Pohela Boishakh (Bengal), Bisu Parba (Tulu Nadu), Vishu (Kerala), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu). This event showcased an ensemble of different Indian Dance Art Forms by local artistes with a closing performance by Rahul Acharya, an internationally acclaimed Odia dance artiste from Bhubaneswar.
Arts & crafts exhibits with food was also be part of this celebration. The evening was graced by Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok, Counsul general of India, San Francisco, Congressmen Ro Khanna, Assemblymen, Mayor, Council members of various cities.
Mayor of Cupertino, Savita Vaidhyanathan, who is the first Indian American Woman Mayor on the west of USA says, “Cupertino is proud of its connection to the city of Bhubaneswar. This is a celebration of our Sister City relationship with an entertaining cultural experience, “Sankranti/Baisakhi.”
It is a special celebration on the occasion of “new year” which is observed by many people of Indian origin during Spring. I also applaud the Cupertino Bhubaneswar Sister City Committee for their dedication to the cause of spreading cultural awareness through performing arts. I look forward to a successful student exchange program that will help build a global community of mutual respect.”
US Congressman of Silicon Valley, Ro Khanna, a honored guest at the event, said, “In the current environment of hatred and misunderstandings these kind of sister city events continue to showcase the important role of people-to-people citizen diplomacy in furthering peace and prosperity between two large democracies.
It is a powerful work by citizens to thrive locally by connecting through art, culture, education and technology. I commend the dedicated work by the Sister City Committee under the leadership of Reena Rao and Mahesh Pakala to run programs that helps strengthen the bonds not only between the two cities but between the communities at large.”
After a long due diligence, CBSCI was approved by the City Councils of Cupertino in 2012. Since 2013 CBSCI committee has been organizing cultural exchange programs and presentations in Cupertino to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Odisha as well as India to the mainstream. Reena Rao, cofounder of the organization said, “Our mission is to engage individuals and institutions in Cupertino and Bhubaneswar in creating sustainable Smart Cities through an exchange of environmental, economic, educational, cultural and research ideas, expertise and resource.
Such programs helps in developing mutual respect and understanding between diverse communities.” Going forward if everything goes as per plan CBSCI expects to begin its student exchange project in 2017 with students visiting from BBSR to Cupertino and vice versa and it is planning to take an adult delegation to India in October, 2017.
The City of Cupertino’s sister city programs are always about mutual respect and understanding, together with exchange of ideas to create strong communities. The City has four active sister city relationships and recently has added friendship city programs with several cities in China.
Rahul Acharya’s performance
Rahul Acharya’s performances are treasured the world over for their beauty, artistry, technical skill, and the spiritual force with which they are imbued. Immersed in the rich culture of Odissi and its devotional roots since early childhood, Mr. Acharya has cultivated a deep and dynamic approach to the dance form. Brian Seibert of the NY Times notes, “Mr. Acharya’s control is amazing, and as he molded himself with no sense of strain into some of the most acrobatic poses of the god Shiva, he cast a spell.” Renowned dance critic, Alistar MacCaulay writes, “Mr. Acharya’s refined sculptural firmness, complex gestural eloquence, subtle musical phrasing and articulate grace are enough to extend most ideas of masculinity…he connects virility to virtuoso delicacy…”
India Post News Service
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