Article for South Asia Times
Professor Ashok Chakradhar at Melbourne Kavi Sammelan “Haasy aur Hasina”
Famous Hindi satirist and humour poet Professor Ashok Chakradhar came to Melbourne to participate in a Kavi Sammelan entitled “Haasy aur Hasina”, jointly organised by NRISA (NRISA.org) and Sahitya Sangam (sahityasangam.weebly.com) on 20th May 2012. Entry was free, and patrons were given a free snack-pack and tea. However, patrons had to book their spot in advance.
The function was held at the Northcote Seniors’ Hall, and the venue had a FULL HOUSE. The program started on-the-dot at 5.00 PM with recital of poems and songs by some of the regular Sahitya Sandhya poets, and NRISA singers.
The program began with a Vandana to goddess Sarasvati by Mrs. Chandra Ben Jha. Other singers were Mr. Sushil Sharma and Mrs. Sunila Patel. The local poets who recited their poetry were Dr. Bliss David, Mr. Harihar Jha, Mr. Rajendra Chopra , Dr. Saif Chopara , Mr. Manmohan Singh Saxena, Mrs. Mridula Kakkad, and Mr. Arvind Gaindhar.
These poets recited poetry full of humour and satire. Dr. Bliss David set the scene by singing a parody composed in Hindi and English, wanting to rent a place in his hasina’s heart.
Well known poet, and one of Sahitya Sandhya organisers, Dr. Subhash Sharma was invited from Gladstone Queensland on Skype to recite his poem “Saat rang ki sundar kirane” the storey of TV loving wife.
When Prof. Chakradhar arrived well in time, around 6.00 PM, he was welcomed by Mr. Sushil Sharma and Prof. Hema Sharda representing NRISA and Sahitya Sangam respectively. As he entered the hall he was given a standing ovation by the audience with roaring applause. Dr. Dinesh Shrivastava honoured him with an Indian tricolour shawl.
As Prof. Chakradhar took to the stage he showered the audience with jokes, satire and his trademark humour poetry. He began his poetry session with couplets and short poetry full of humour as well as serious topics. Well! that’s the beauty of this satirist: first he makes you to laugh, but then implores you to think about the deeper meaning. He did not spare Indian politicians as usual and depicted his art of playing with multiple meanings and forms of words like halwa and ghotala. His poetry about Senior Citizens was a perfect match for most of the audience, who are NRISA members, and no one could stop laughing throughout the program.
He also sang a song that he wrote for Karishma Kapoor’s film in a Bengali tune, about a bird flying free in the sky; his perfect diction and recitation took the audience on a metaphorical flight with him. His Jatak Katha and jungle stories were a high class satire on elections and politicians. Towards the end he recited his very popular poem Bhrashtaachar; which established him as a true pundit of satire.
At the end of the program a plaque was presented to him on behalf of Sahitya Sangam, NRISA and Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan – Australia, represented by Mr. Harihar Jha, Mr. Sushil Sharma and Mr. Gambhir Watts from the three organisations respectively.
The evening was hosted by yours truly. I would like to thank various organisations and its members who worked tirelessly to make this visit by Prof. Chakradhar a reality, in particular Mrs. Rekha Rajvanshi and Mr. Gambhir Watts from Sydney, and the committee members and supporters of NRISA and Sahitya Sandhya from Melbourne.
Prof. Chakradhar was very pleased with the welcome he got; and we are very appreciative of his efforts to visit Melbourne gratis. Melbourne public is thankful to him for the opportunity to witness such a high class Hindi poetry event, and looks forward to welcoming Prof. Chakradhar in the future as well.
Photographs from the program are available on:
http://www.nrisa.org/
http://www.nrisa.org/20-may-2012-page-1.html
http://www.nrisa.org/20-may-2012-page-2.html
If you wish to get information about such programs in the future please contact:
Yours Truly
NalinSharda@gmail.com
Secretary NRISA, and Coordinator Sahitya Sandhya
Famous Hindi satirist and humour poet Professor Ashok Chakradhar came to Melbourne to participate in a Kavi Sammelan entitled “Haasy aur Hasina”, jointly organised by NRISA (NRISA.org) and Sahitya Sangam (sahityasangam.weebly.com) on 20th May 2012. Entry was free, and patrons were given a free snack-pack and tea. However, patrons had to book their spot in advance.
The function was held at the Northcote Seniors’ Hall, and the venue had a FULL HOUSE. The program started on-the-dot at 5.00 PM with recital of poems and songs by some of the regular Sahitya Sandhya poets, and NRISA singers.
The program began with a Vandana to goddess Sarasvati by Mrs. Chandra Ben Jha. Other singers were Mr. Sushil Sharma and Mrs. Sunila Patel. The local poets who recited their poetry were Dr. Bliss David, Mr. Harihar Jha, Mr. Rajendra Chopra , Dr. Saif Chopara , Mr. Manmohan Singh Saxena, Mrs. Mridula Kakkad, and Mr. Arvind Gaindhar.
These poets recited poetry full of humour and satire. Dr. Bliss David set the scene by singing a parody composed in Hindi and English, wanting to rent a place in his hasina’s heart.
Well known poet, and one of Sahitya Sandhya organisers, Dr. Subhash Sharma was invited from Gladstone Queensland on Skype to recite his poem “Saat rang ki sundar kirane” the storey of TV loving wife.
When Prof. Chakradhar arrived well in time, around 6.00 PM, he was welcomed by Mr. Sushil Sharma and Prof. Hema Sharda representing NRISA and Sahitya Sangam respectively. As he entered the hall he was given a standing ovation by the audience with roaring applause. Dr. Dinesh Shrivastava honoured him with an Indian tricolour shawl.
As Prof. Chakradhar took to the stage he showered the audience with jokes, satire and his trademark humour poetry. He began his poetry session with couplets and short poetry full of humour as well as serious topics. Well! that’s the beauty of this satirist: first he makes you to laugh, but then implores you to think about the deeper meaning. He did not spare Indian politicians as usual and depicted his art of playing with multiple meanings and forms of words like halwa and ghotala. His poetry about Senior Citizens was a perfect match for most of the audience, who are NRISA members, and no one could stop laughing throughout the program.
He also sang a song that he wrote for Karishma Kapoor’s film in a Bengali tune, about a bird flying free in the sky; his perfect diction and recitation took the audience on a metaphorical flight with him. His Jatak Katha and jungle stories were a high class satire on elections and politicians. Towards the end he recited his very popular poem Bhrashtaachar; which established him as a true pundit of satire.
At the end of the program a plaque was presented to him on behalf of Sahitya Sangam, NRISA and Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan – Australia, represented by Mr. Harihar Jha, Mr. Sushil Sharma and Mr. Gambhir Watts from the three organisations respectively.
The evening was hosted by yours truly. I would like to thank various organisations and its members who worked tirelessly to make this visit by Prof. Chakradhar a reality, in particular Mrs. Rekha Rajvanshi and Mr. Gambhir Watts from Sydney, and the committee members and supporters of NRISA and Sahitya Sandhya from Melbourne.
Prof. Chakradhar was very pleased with the welcome he got; and we are very appreciative of his efforts to visit Melbourne gratis. Melbourne public is thankful to him for the opportunity to witness such a high class Hindi poetry event, and looks forward to welcoming Prof. Chakradhar in the future as well.
Photographs from the program are available on:
http://www.nrisa.org/
http://www.nrisa.org/20-may-2012-page-1.html
http://www.nrisa.org/20-may-2012-page-2.html
If you wish to get information about such programs in the future please contact:
Yours Truly
NalinSharda@gmail.com
Secretary NRISA, and Coordinator Sahitya Sandhya
