Friday 25 July 2008

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

Sat. July 19, 2008 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I failed to mention about another one of the highlights at Toronto’s Chariot Festival. It’s the killer kirtan (chanting session) that resonates under the tunnel or overpass. A good 4 000 people come, with resounding drums shattering the heart of Maya (illusion) under the Gardiner Expressway. What an attraction!

For a full hour I was asked to lead the chanting and, of course, that is a great honour. On centre island a new feature was a massive tent erected to accommodate many persons. Rain seems to haunt the chariot festivals everywhere we go and it was no exception here. The tent saved the day and offered ample shelter.

Our youth from the bus tour did a startling performance. Some of the actors are having break-throughs and that is making the difference. Prior to our “Dharma” performance two dancers, one in sufi style and one in Kathak rendered a great piece. Their level of professionalism was something I thought our community needed to see from time to time. When professionalism and devotionalism get married to each other it is a perfect harmony. Our guru Srila Prabhupada., had hired professional Shenai (horn) players to perform in order to set ragas or moods of devotional type. He also encouraged us to do anything well and to pay attention to details in all that we do. In other words, “Be mindful”

12km

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