Media Release by Stany Gerald D'Souza.
ChicagoDec 7: Christmas Around the World is a 68 years old mega cultural extravaganza organized by the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. The Museum halls are decked, holiday singers and dancers fuel the festivities, and the sparkle of dozens of decorated trees greets you at this year’s Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light.
The Museum’s 45-foot Grand Tree takes center stage in the Rotunda, while more than 50 trees beautifully decorated by members of Chicago’s ethnic communities to represent global cultures adorn the Museum's Main Level. The ornaments represented the “icon” of each nation. It was the beginning of understanding how people celebrate Christmas around the world with different cultural background. This year there is a dazzling forest of trees from Austria to Wales, each depicting its unique cultural background through decorated ornaments.
Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA/Chicago) has been participating in Christmas Around the World for the last seven years. This year too MKCA presented great show by presenting a tableau of the birth of Jesus Christ and performing various Indian dances.
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The program began with the welcome speech by MKCA president Lawrence Mascarenhas. In his speech Mascarenhas said “Though India is a country of diverse religious and cultural background, Indians have lived side by side for generations with harmony and mutual respect for each other's traditions. We show our unity in diversity when it comes to follow our traditions and culture even in our adopted land"
Fr. Richard Vaz, SVD, who is instrumental in organizing the program, delivered a powerful Christmas message stating, “We must celebrate the visit of our God who has come to us in the weakness and vulnerability of a child. We cannot remain mere spectators in a society that is riddled and broken with violence, conflicts, war, abuse, destruction, job loss and economy plagued with recession. Let us all be makers of peace through ordinary, everyday acts of loving-kindness. At this Christmas, let us renew our hope that there will be peace and goodwill among all peoples of the world.”
The tableau depicting birth of Jesus was staged by Jossie Mendonca as Joseph, Claudia Vaz as Mother Mary, Royan Misquita, Neville Miranda and Stany D’Souza as Wisemen; Luella, Angel, Johan, Joey and Shawn as Shepherds; Shannon, Jason, Sarah and Sammy as little Angels. Athena Saldanha and Rev. Richie Vaz provided background voices for the Tableau.
The Committee chairperson and the founder president of MKCA Dr. Austin Prabhu introduced the performers of Natraj Dance Academy and Kalapriya Dance Academy. In his introduction speech, Austin said, “Indian classic dance is part of our age old culture and culture is something that one cannot take it away irrespective of one’s religious belief. We must retain what is ours and pass it on to our future generation.”
Introducing Nataraj Dance Academy, its Director, Vijayalaxmi Shetty reflects “Natraj Dance Academy, one of the leading Indian Classical Dance Schools in the Chicago area was established in 1983, for the purpose of promoting and preserving Indian heritage and culture. Students receive sound training in the practice and theory of several classical dance styles from India namely Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam. Natraj Dance Academy is dedicated to promoting Indian dance in keeping with the strict traditions of these ancient arts.”
Students from Kalapriya Dance Academy, Chicago headed by its Director Mrs. Krithi performed Indian classical dances highlighting four thousand years old Indian culture. There was solo Bollywood dance to the tunes of Dolna, performed by Claudia Vaz. The entire program was showcasing the diversity of Indian culture. There was also a continuous power point presentation on Indian culture, tradition and demographics, prepared by Queenie Mendonca and Rexon D’Souza, ran during the entire program.
Vissia D’Souza, Secretary, MKCA proposed vote of thanks. She thanked everyone especially Natraj Dance Academy and Kalapriya Dance Academy members who presented excellent dances consisting Kuchipudi and Baratha Natyam. She thanked Claudia Vaz for her excellent Bollywood dance performance and her part in tableau as “Mother Mary”. Rexon D’Souza who played the instruments for the tableau, Rev. Richie Vaz for his initiative in organizing a beautiful program and Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu, Chairperson of the program.
Vissia also invited everyone to join the MKCA Christmas celebration to be held on December 19, 2008 at Courtland Square Community Hall, 8909 Davids Place, Des Plaines, IL. As always, all participants will receive Christmas Kuswar and Santa Claus will provide gifts to all the children present.
The packed audience in its small auditorium were all awestruck with the unique and inquisitive presentation of the program. There was thunderous applause for all the great and unique dance performances and especially the Christmas Tableau with its colorful and aesthetic costumes worn by different participants. Singing Jana Gana Mana, the Indian National Anthem by all the participants present, concluded program.