Buenos Aires, Argentina
They Wanted More
The crowds wanted more. “Kirtan! Kirtan! Kirtan!” was repeatedly shouted. It was 8 o’clock at night, the end of the stage show. Merudevi, the prime organizer of the Festival of India (year after year) asked me to close the show. I was given a half-hour.
So, there we were at the location of Plaza Mitre with its amphitheatre dynamic, putting a closure to a fine and exhilarating event for the day. Mrdunga and djembe drummers were behind me. Women dancers in traditional garb were to my left, demonstrating the movement I established for the animated crowd.
All that our guru taught us, the mantra, the dance, the joy (feliz) of the Jagannath culture is what we were immersed in. It was most satisfying. With the grand finale now over, came all these folks, one-by-one, with their smart phones, wanting a photo and giving congratulations for the kirtan and the play: “Mucho Madres, Mucho Padres.”
By the way, our drama crew was splendid. To get an outside crowd to remain focused on a tearful, emotional piece is not easy, but somehow or other the magic worked. Coming an extra day early, paid off. It allowed for a tighter more practised production, one that I feel Prabhupada, our guru, would be proud of.
Also, I had such a nice group to work with. Mostly devotees from the radical punk scene. I am usually surrounded by an Indian, immigrant-based community. Here it’s a hard-core, soft-hearted bunch of people. Both are wonderful. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqR-J8nAnhC/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=6jv34bzhhrqg
May the Source be with you!
8 km
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