Transcendental Birthday Party Sat. Aug 11th

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The Appearance Day of Shree Krishna (August 11) for Hindus compares to

Christmas Day in Christendom. Five thousand three hundred years ago this

Avatar of the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared on earth to protect

the pious, annihilate the miscreants, and re-establish the principles of

religion. This was accomplished in a span of 125 years even at the end of

which the Lord appeared as a fresh blooming youth of 16 or 20 years.

Before returning to His own spiritual abode, the Lord spoke the wisdom of

Bhagavad Gita (Song of God) to his friend and disciple, Arjuna, thus

leaving behind Him a legacy of wisdom for the ages. So stimulating and

profound are these words of Shree Krishna that there have been over 300

translations of Bhagavad Gita in the English language alone.

The Krishna temple at 8628 S Main St. in Spanish Fork has planned a

transcendental birthday party for Saturday August 11th to celebrate the

event. From 6 pm there will be Indian dance, drama, musical concerts, hot

meals, exhibits, and gifts available to all. The following artists will

perform between 6 pm and 9:30 pm, with other festivities going until past

midnight.

6 pm: Manoranjan Pradhan is one of the most talented, leading male Odissi

dancers today. He trained at the Orissa Dance Academy in India with Guru

Gangadhar Pradhan (who continues to teach him even today), completing his

Master's degree in Odissi dance at Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, through Utkal

University, in association with many world-famous Gurus. He is frequently

invited to teach and perform in the U.S.A. by such organizations as The

Center for World Music in San Diego, the Orissa Society of America, and Indo

American Society. An outstanding performer, Mr. Pradhan has received many

awards. As a solo and group artist, his performances have been broadcast in

India on national and regional television. He has been recognized as an 'A'

Grade Artist by the Government of Orissa, and has several compositions to

his name.

"Highly accomplished Manoranjan looked as though he had stepped out of the

timeless foliage of a Konark Temple miniature."-Indian Times

7 pm: Ben Kunin, a former guitarist, has studied sarod (precursor of the

guitar) at the Ali Akbar Music College since 1986 and given many concerts

in the San Francisco Bay area. His tabla player will be Debopriyo Sarkar.

8 pm: Ms Asha Ravikumar, a 22 year medical student at Northwestern

University, has been trained in classical Indian dance since the age of 5 by

Ramya Harishankar, Viji Prakash, and most recently, Guru Smt. Padmini

Ramachandran. She graduated as the Valedictorian from Foothill High school

in S. California. She is a National merit scholar. In June 1997, Asha

appeared in the Orange County registers Special Edition, as one of the Best

and Brightest.

Since her Arangetram (debut performance) in 1993, she has given solo

performances throughout the USA and India. The program will be a dance

drama, focusing on the immortal devotion of Meerabhai towards Lord Krishna.

The music is mostly in Hindi, and there will be narration in English. Some

of the artists accompanying her are:

P. Ramma is an A grade vocalist..She has been giving performances all over

the world. She has been awarded Karnataka Kalasri from the Government of

Karnataka.

P Janardhana Rao is reputed Mridangam (percussion) artiste of Karnataka. He

has widely traveled all over the world. He has given Mridangam support to

all the famous dancers of India. His guru is Sri Vasudeva Rao.

V.K. Raman is the disciple of Mr.N Ramani.He has widely traveled all over

the world. He has given flute support to the famous dancers of India.

9:30 pm-Midnight : Devotional songs and responsive kirtans by local

members, culminating in the gala midnight arotik.

A nominal $2.00 donation ($1.00 children) will apply to non-members.For

more information contact Caru or Vai (801)798-3559/787-1510.

www.iskcon.net/utah.