Hasya Kavi Sammelan, Atlanta: a perfectly brewed concoction of laughter and emotions
Atlanta Hasya Kavi Sammelan served up yet another perfectly brewed concoction of laughter and emotions on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Berkmar High School, Lilburn, Georgia. As was done for its previous programs, Atlanta Hindi Association (a group of Hindi-speaking friends) and the International Hindi Association under the motivating leadership of director Sanjeev Agarwal meticulously worked on bringing India’s topmost poets of the genre to Atlanta’s door. People of all ages and socioeconomic spheres swarmed to witness this sold-out and much anticipated event, and Consul D.V. Singh was one who graced the occasion. In fact, it was able to captivate about 500 people and was attended by over 100 children.
This time the three poetic gems that were mined from India were famed humorist and Laughter Challenge winner Gaurav Sharma, melodious vocalist and ghazal singer Sonroopa Vishal, and brilliant satirist and Yash Bharti awardee, “Smile Man” Sarvesh Asthana. These poets of excellence kept the audience tucked in their seats enjoying a mélange of characters, anecdotes, and reflections, all the while bristling with contagious laughter and energy. It was an audiovisual treat to enjoy the resonance that lies within words. The glimmer of the poets was alike whether it was to accumulate depth of emotion or to create a laughter tsunami. Nostalgia poured in as laughter-bound people revisited antics and anecdotes from the past to bring that long forgotten smile or laughter back to them.
The event began with hors d’oeuvres and then a beautiful devotional rendering by kids of ages 5-13, from the HindiUSA Cumming Hindi School. Introduction of poets by little children was an achievement in itself as they confidently presented the poets to the audience.
(Left) A packed auditorium with about 500 people, 100 children. (Photo: Anuj K. Jain)
Sarvesh Asthana ensured that all funny bones were tickled with his tongue-in-cheek humor and satire. Gaurav Sharma engaged the audience with his light hearted humor. Sonroopa Vishal enthralled with her nightingale voice and thought-provoking poetry. Her rendering of her father Urmilesh’s poem “Ladkiyaan” carried a tremendous body of philosophy. The poets were able to transport audiences from the state of “being” and “not being” to “being” and “becoming” with their subtle reminders of social causes tempered with laughter, satire, and humor.
Each year Atlanta Hindi Association recognizes motivating personalities dedicated to art and entertainment. This year spotlights were turned on the ever charming “Camera Girl of Atlanta,” Anjali Chhabria for her years of service to the South Asian Community.
The organizers of this event ensured that kids of all ages were creatively engaged while the parents enjoyed a relaxed evening. Art class, face painting, henna tattoos, and snacks kept the kids entertained.
This event was hugely successful in capturing the dynamism of laughter/hasya which often stays on the horizon in today’s busy life without coming closer. Atlanta Hindi Association was able to bring it to us, not just in the narrative, but in the realm of reality, and promises to keep bringing this laughter spectacle back to Atlanta every year drizzled with fresh aromas.
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Thanks:
Volunteers included Abhinav Dehariya, Amit and Arrika Agarwal, Amit and Ruchi Chaurasiya, Anand Verma, Alok and Shilpa Agrawal, Anuj K. Jain, Ashu Rahar, Ashwani Srivastava, Gaurav Jain, Hemant Jerath, Karan Garg, Khushboo Modi, Manish and Richa Sinha, Manjari Agarwal, Manu and Mansi Agarwal, Mukesh Garg, Mustafa Ajmeri, Nishant and Richa Kansal, Pankaj Sharma, Pawandeep and Nidhi Pipal, Pradeep and Parul Gupta, Preeti and Bharti Tiwari, Premal and Jinal Shah, Rajesh and Meera Agarwal, Rakesh Yadav, Ram Narayan Singh, Ram and Brish Upadhyaya, Ranjan and Reena Pathania, Sachid Shukla, Sandhya and Anil Bhagat, Sanjeev Agarwal and Dipti Gupta, Shree, Raj, and Prachi Vohra, Siddhartha and Saloni Agarwal, Vineet Gupta, Vishal and Nidhi Agarwal.
Kid volunteers included Anish, Ansh, Arushi, Atharv, Ayan, Dhruv, Sanvi, Divyansh, Ishaan, Kalpana, Maanya, Ojal, Pramiti, Pratyaksh, Samvar, Sanchay, Shivali, Shivam, Shreyansh, Tanvi Gujral, Tanvi Singhal, and Vaidehi.
Sponsors: Suvidha Groceries, MyOrlandostay.com, Sitar Indian Cuisine, Prime CPA, Café Bahar, ABC Renovations, Beauty Bar Salon, Peachtree Dental, Ruby Beauty Parlor, Shri Ram Imports, GA InfoTech, Anuj K Jain Photography, Om Arora (Tax and Insurance), Dr. Deepak and Shilpi Das, EIS Technology, Agarwal Samaj of Georgia, Shiv Mandir of Atlanta, BAJA Atlanta, and Sovi Salon.
Media Partners: Atlanta Dunia, WowNow, Khabar, TV Asia, and NRI Pulse.
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