Janamashtami Friday 13th August 2009

Photographs of the "Jhakhi" display made by members of the Bristol Hindu Youth Forum.
The display is to show a depiction of the birth of Lord Krishna.
Everything seen is either hand made/put together or borrowed kindly from members of the temple.

Bollywood Karaoke Night Part 2 - The photos!

The Bollywood Karaoke Event

Since BYF were given the go ahead to hold a Bollywood Karaoke Night, preparations had been under way with a little bit of apprehension... like... "Good idea..how are we going to do that?! " Discussions went on and searches were carried out to find the most resourceful way of carrying this out. Once we found them, trying them out ourselves proved so much fun, we knew this would be great for everyone to get involved in .

Saturday 16th May came. Team Captain had his crew assigned to individual tasks, looking forward to coming together as a full team once again after various people having been away. One member of the team, came in after arriving off a long haul flight just a few hours before, and coming straight over to help set things up. This is the level of commitment that brought the whole event together. All arrived and got started straight away - we had less than two hours to get everything ready! Food was under preparation, MC's were rehearsing, systems were being connected up with computers, projector, microphones and anything else that came in the way! In the midst of this hive of activity the Temple's wireless broadband got connected up and started. This came about because we kept asking for it, the forth time we asked, we found out it was just a case of connecting up the wireless router!! So, thanks to Pradeepbhai and Atulbhai - yes folks it works - we can surf there too now! The internet was also put to use during the evening's proceedings.

This vibrant event took place in the Temple's main hall. It was the first event that we have organised ourselves and we most definately wish to organise events of a similar nature in the future. Gaurang and Sejal welcomed all those present and began proceedings by asking who would like to be first? Alas not one person from the audience came forward! So, Captain Gaurang called his crew to the front, microphones in hand ready to demonstrate. So, "Hum Honge Kamyaab!" - "We will be successful!" got everyone into the spirit of the evening and the whole event got off to a flying start!

The only thing the evening lacked was inhibition. There was no shortage of willing participation amongst the audience. Our host, Sejal whom we must add conducted the evening flawlessly, said that she found the audience were enjoying the singing so much, there was hardly a chance to ask the bollywood trivia questions. However, chances were taken (!) and the audience participated in the quiz with the same enthusiasm. Those who put their hand up first and answered the questions correctly were rewarded with the fabulous prize of a fun size chocolate bar.

"Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hai"

The evening was particularly enjoyed by the senior members of our community, now they cannot accuse the youth of today being negligent towards the older generation. One after the other in twos and threes they were coming up and singing classics from films like 'Waqt', ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Guide’, 'Dil Deke Dekho' and "Hare Rama Hare Krishna"..the list goes on. Everyone was a winner as all joined in and sang with so much passion. However it was also great to see some people from the younger generation coming up and singing.

The evening followed the same fashion throughout. Karaoke songs with an interval of trivia questions. There was a snack - Chana Batata/Aloo Cholay which was excellently prepared by Mrs Vasuben Kathrecha and Mrs Induben Mistry.

All in all it was a highly successful event and as a group we have received excellent feedback from those who came. 100% goes to all committee members and Mr Kansara for providing the equipment a giving us the time and effort to set it up. We would appreciate any feedback and any requests for future events from the Bristol community. Those who attended this event, were either Bristol's finest performers or entertained by them. Especially Mr Kansara (Mauji Uncle!) - We didn't know there was so much hidden talent in Bristol!

So here's one more bollywood trivia question for you... The song "Khaiyke Paan Banaraswala" from the film Don was originally composed by Kalyanji Anandji for another film - but the lead actor/producer of that film had rejected. Name the actor/producer and the film it was originally meant for?

Bollywood Karaoke Night - Saturday 16th May

Bristol Hindu Youth Forum
(Bringing the community together)

Presents
Bollywood Karaoke Night

Saturday 16th May 2009,
7:30 pm till late.
Venue : Gandhi Hall, Bristol Hindu Temple,
163B, Church Road, Redfield, Bristol – BS5 9LA
All are welcome!

Name and Logo Competition : We are thinking of a new name and logo for the group and we want your help and support.
* Think of a name and logo that could represent the
group well.

*Please bring your entries(on A4 sized paper) on
the evening. You may win a prize if your entry is
chosen!
Bring your friends and family along for a fun evening.
With your support we hope to organize more cultural events in the future.

Entry Fees : Free and bring your Enthusiasm &
100% Participation

About Us : We are a newly formed youth forum. Our aim is to bring the community together and organize a variety of cultural and social events. We are fully supported by the Temple Management Committee.

Membership : To make our youth forum more vibrant we are looking for more people from across the community to join with us regardless of age group.
Contact Information:
Our email: bristolyouthforum@gmail.com
Our blog: www.bristolyouthforum.blogspot.com

- Gaurang Patadia : Chairman : 07805803057 - Bharti Kathrecha : Vice-Chair
- Bhavna Mistry : Secretary - Pradeep Shukla : Treasurer

Making the Forum more visible to the community

In what ways could the Bristol Youth Forum be more visible to the community? How would you like to know about the activities of the group in the future?

As always, let us know by posting your comments here or e-mailing us on bristolyouthforum@gmail.com

How to make the forum grow in terms of numbers

We're thinking of ways to get more people involved in the forum. Do you have any suggestions of ways this should be done?

Let us know, either e-mail us on bristolyouthforum@gmail.com or post here.

Thanks
Bristol Youth Forum Committee

Holi 2009

A highly succesful holi night took place on the 14^th of March. This was organised by a collaboration of both Bristol University Hindu Society and our local organisation the Bristol Youth Forum. All those attending this event were treated to a colourful display of dances, excellent cuisine and what I like to call ‘masti’.

The proceedings kicked off with introductions by both the Bristol Youth Forum, and the Bristol University team’s and a synopsis of the work that these organisations undertake. Then an explanation of holi and its significance was expounded by the Bristol Youth Forum. The short speeches given by both Gaurang and Pradeep were delivered in a humorous yet informative way.

Gaurang put the attendees at ease stating that holi was an event where it is traditional that everybody on this day must let their hair down and enjoy as much ‘masti’ as possible.

A more informative religious perspective of holi was delivered by Yushmee of the Bristol University Hindu Society who spoke about the tale of Bhakta Prahlad and other pertinent episodes from our ancient scriptures. This was followed by recitation of dhun and Hanuman Chalisa, lead by the students.




After these formalities, the audience were treated to some bollywood dances by the students and Gita, one member of the temple community. The dance performances were carried out in a very professional way by all those who participated. I could not help noticing that the audience were completely captivated during this period.

The next part of the evening was my favourite part. Food!!! I certainly was very impressed by culinary delights on display that evening, prepared by some of our regular volunteers for cooking and the students and am very thankful to all those who worked hard to pull this off.

Then finally the part everyone had been looking forward to all day - the masti - was kicked off by some of the male students forming a human pyramid. This involved getting the group, who were specially trained by Gaurang earlier in the day to stand on each others shoulders until they reached the high hanging balloons. The arrangement of these students resembled that of a pyramid. On reaching the top of the pyramid they popped the balloons and this initiated the main holi event of throwing colours.

All the participants of the evening were very quick to get going with this event. Within minutes it was impossible to tell who each person was.

All that could be seen were multicoloured faces and a bizarre multicoloured smog permeating the whole of the temple - upstairs and down! This carried on until everyone was sure that no one present was left without any colour on them! When the colours ran out, the two beautifuly made rangolis by Nilam were put to good use too! It was a sight not to be missed!

The final part of the evening was Garba dancing and all those there participated. This was led by the most exuberant dancer of all, our Panditji - Sri Kamlesh Vyas. Nobody, not even the youngest dancers in that room could keep up with his highly energetic style!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc70bR4-T4I

It was a sheer delight to see an event where all those present were having such a great time. It was also brilliant to host an event that got the public so very much involved in the evening. The best holi Bristol has ever seen!

I think a lot of credit must go out to all committee members of both organisations who gave 100% in the preparation of the event and worked hard cleaning up.

If you were there too tell us what you thought of the event and share any of your pictures too.