Indian High Commission hosts Phagwah Mela
Kaieteur News
March 5, 2007
Yesterday citizens flocked the Indian Cultural Centre compound in their number to celebrate the annual Hindu festival of Phagwah.
Those present spared no time in enjoying the abundant drinks and food served, and the pulsating tassa music.
Some time before its scheduled 11:00hrs start, musicians from the Indian Cultural Centre were already setting the atmosphere with tassa music and singing even as the dancers were engaged in last minute rehearsals.
It was not long after that the compound was full. Spectators were treated to spectacular performances from the cultural centre's dance troupe.
This year's celebration attracted entertainment and fashion celebrities like fashion designer Derrick Moore and his ‘GT&T Bluepower' contingent and many local entertainers.
Moore was accompanied by Guyanese-born Miss India / New York beauty queen, Asha Haniff, whose presence created hyped excitement among Phagwah revelers.
Throwing her cares to the wind, the homebred queen strutted and mingled with everyone, before getting down with dancers for some serious ‘Phagwah Shakedown' later.
Coloured powders, abeer, liquid dyes and shiny sprinkles circulated in abundance as citizens doused each other gleefully as is the customary practice.
Mayor Hamilton Green joined in the celebration and mingled freely as did Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who danced with almost everyone. He even took to the tarmac to give a little competition to the Indian Cultural Centre dancers.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, however, did not find things as easy. The women dancers held on to him, intent on taking him to dance on the tarmac. Try as they might the President preferred to do his ‘Phagwah Thing' just in the area he was standing, surrounded by the dancers.
While there was the goings on at the Indian Cultural Centre, citizens from all walks of life came out in the streets to celebrate the Hindu festival.
Yesterday's ceremony was also attended by Indian High Commissioner to Guyana , Avinash Gupta, Government Ministers and other special invitees.