Raksha Bandhan brings communities together

Press Release (21 July 2011)

Raksha Bandhan brings communities together

Auckland will celebrate the vibrant festival the Raksha Bandhan, brightening this winter with colours, dance song and music from India, China, Japan and our home, New Zealand, on 6th August 2011, at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.

Dharmic communities, from most ancient times, realized the need of real bondage amongst community members. Ties in society that bind people to one another are the key to social cohesion in communities. The Dharmic communities see a fundamental position of women in nurturing – which enhances selfless love & compassion for the whole society. Not only as the Divine Mother, but as sages, noble queens and as warriors, women have protected Dharma from when the need arose. Women are the nucleus around which family and social life revolves.

Widely observed as a brothers and sisters’ day, the Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is an annual Hindu Festival to reaffirm and celebrate the loving universal fellowship and veneration of womanhood.

Raksha Bandhan 2011 will be a three and half hour programme of classical, traditional and folk dances, vocal recitations and instrumental music. This is a family entertainment programme, and a smoke-free and alcohol-free atmosphere will be strictly maintained. Vegetarian snacks and food will be available to purchase, in meat-free environs. Sweet snacks will be distributed free as is traditional in Raksha Bandhan celebrations.

The programme will be opened by parliamentary dignitaries. Dances from different parts of India (Marathi, Bharatnatyam, Bhangra, etc), Chinese lion and dragon dance, Japanese drums, belly dance and a traditional Maori dance by Te Waihono A Kupe are the highlights of the programme. The group name Te Waihono A Kupe denotes the bringing together of the waters of the Pacific and the world by the historical Polynesian explorer "Kupe". The young group, aged 8 years to 22 years old, has performed for the Governor General, during citizenship ceremonies and for civic functions.

Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on this large scale for the first time in the year 2010. About 700 people attended the function then, and enjoyed the free family entrainment show. “We have had more anticipation this year and are looking forward to catering a bigger audience this time,” said Mr Ilango Krishnamoorthy, coordinator of Raksha Bandhan 2011.

Entry to the event is free of charge; however, due to limited space members of public are requested to book their tickets by e-mailing nz_hota@yahoo.com or text 027 281 0968. Reservations will be on a first come first served basis.

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