Uttarakhand Cultural Association

‘Teru Machoi, gaad bagagey re…’ energises new gen U’khandis
Narendra Negi enthralls highlanders in CanadaBy Our Staff Reporter
Garhwal Post, 7 August, 2008

Dehradun, 6 Aug: Highlanders living in Canada came in large numbers to attend a folk performance by Narender Singh Negi at the Centennial Community and Recreation Centre in Toronto on 2 August. Negi performed live at a musical meet organised by the Cultural Association of Uttarakhand in Canada.

Negi began the musical nite by singing a Garhwal devotional song in praise of Goddess Nanda Devi. It was followed by, ‘Thando re thando’, which struck a sentimental chord with the highlanders. The scene of their natïve village and cool-fresh air was recreated for them. The song forced the elderly citizens attending the programme to dance. Negi sang ‘Bhalu lagdey bhanuli’ to provoke the new generation highlanders to join their seniors on the floor. The dancers attempted to take a breather but the tempting ‘Teru machoi gaad bagagey re..la aab kha macha,’ followed. Almost all the young people present in the hall took to the floor. It was a terrific sight!

Narender Negi sang many songs on demand. The programme concluded with the title song of ‘Naucchami Narayan’. The highlanders loved every moment of it and will remember the concert for a long time.
Bharat Rawat, Secretary of the Uttarakhand Cultural Association, felicitated Narender Negi and his wife Usha Negi.

Addressing the gathering, Rawat said, “The Uttarakhandis living in America and Canada are thankful to film director Parashar Gaur for making the tour possible.”

Praising Negi on his contribution to preservation and popularisation of Pahari folk, Rawat said, “This brightest star of Devbhoomi has restlessly fought for social justice for more than four decades through his songs and writing. He has preserved and enriched the culture of this middle Himalayan state with his melodious voice and silent literature. He is truly the Living Legend from The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand and a voice of the common man.”

Senior Congress leader Dhirendra Pratap and MLA Puspesh Tripathi were present on the occasion. Sudhir Rawat, Harender Aswal, Khema Bhai, Harsh Farasi, Inder Balodi, Vijay Sharma and Dr Tiwari attended the musical performance.

The Legend of Uttarakhand, Narendra Singh Negi is performing Live in Toronto

Dear Uttarakhandi brothers and sisters;

I am delighted to announce that our renowned singer, writer and social activist, Mr. Narendra Singh Negi, “The Legend of Uttarakhand” is coming to Canada end of July, 2008 and will perform live in Toronto.

Date: Saturday, August 02, 2008

Time: 7 PM to 12 AM (Midnight)

Venue: Centennial Community Recreation Centre, Confederation Park
(South of Hwy 401, on Ellesmere Rd., between McCowan and Markham Rd)
1967 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough ON M1H 2W5
Tel: (416) 396-4057 (See Map)

Narendra Singh Negi, a name that needs no introduction. He is the Mohammad Rafi of Uttarakhand and a legend in himself. His numerous songs have touched all aspects of the life and culture of people of Uttarakhand. He is an Uttarakhandi who genuinely deserves Padamshree for his unparalleled contributions to the state and people of Davbhoomi. Narendra Singh Negi is one of the most prominent folk singers of Uttarakhand. His distinctive voice and prolific career made him a household name amongst Paharis both in India and abroad.

He has sung hundreds of songs and produced almost a hundred albums relating to almost all social and cultural aspects of Uttarakhand. In years past, he has also sung sad elegies to Tehri town, recently inundated by the Tehri dam, as well as fiery protest songs during the Uttarakhand separate state movement. In 2007, the Calcutta-based Telegraph called him the “Dylan of the Hills” for his 2006 protest song, Nauchami Narain, against the then Chief Minister and the entire political class of Uttarakhand.

All uttarakhandi from Canada are are expected to attend this Grand evening and enjoy the melodeous voice of our legend and various local telent.

To make this evening successful, all families from Uttarakhand in Canada are requested to contribute minimum $ 50.00 per family. This will enable us to fund this event and make proper arrangements to honour our hero, who is visiting first time to Canada. The cost of the event ticket will be $25.00 per person. We encourage all members to bring their contribution money ($50) on PICNIC day.

Shortly, we will be launching Souvenir (Events Brochure) for this memorable event. All members are requested to collect ads from businesses and individuals to print in our souvenir. For details please contact Padmender Negi, Chaya Kotnala or Parashar Gaur. The charges for advertising in the souvenir are as follow.

Full Page (A4 size) - $100

Half Page - $50

Front Page (back-side) - $250

Back Page - $250

Articles about Uttarakhand history, culture, lifestyle, poems or any other subject are welcome and will be printed on first-come-first basis.

Stay tuned to your emails for further announcement about this event. To make this event a success, we are expecting full support from all Uttarakhandi living in Canada.

Regards,

Bharat Singh Rawat
General Secretary, UCA Canada

Dear Uttarakhandi Folks;

Namaskar. Uttarakhand Cultural Association Annual Picnic and BBQ will b held at a brand new location in the West of the City at the river bank of Credit River. The timing and location of the event is as follows.

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008

Time: 11 AM to 7 PM

Location: Erindale Park, Mississauga (North of Dundas / East of Mississauga Road, East side of the Credit River)

Picnic Fee: $15 per family

Directions: Map Attached

All participants are encouraged to bring delicious Indian and Pahari dishes to make the occasion Colorful and Tasteful. Professional Fisherman can bring their equipments and Fishing license for on the spot fishing.
All participants are also encouraged to invite new Uttarakhandi  members (Pahari or Non-Pahari) to join our celebration and be part of our Association from Davebhoomi.

I will request all participants to reach at picnic spot on time to make sure that they get parking spot and enjoy the event fully. Their will some exciting announcements before and during the Picnic event so fine tune yourself with upcoming emails.

Wish you all great summer and see soon at picnic / BBQ event.

Bharat Singh Rawat
General Secretary, UCA Canada

Dear Uttarakhandis,

Summer break is never over till we celebrate our SPORTS DAY function. Like last year we will be gathering at MISSISSAUGA VALLEY PARK (Map attached) on Saturday, September 01, 2007. The program we start from 11 AM (sharp!). Members are encouraged to contribute delicious food to our Dal-Bhat menu.

We will have activities for all young and olds, ladies and gentlemen. Lots of Fun! Lots of free time!! Keep your worries behind. Let’s conclude our summer break with fun filled activities, excitement and extravaganza. See you all on Sports meet.

Bharat Singh
Mississauga, Ontario

Namashkar,

It is my please to inform and invite you on Annual Picnic of Uttrakhand Cultural Association. The time, date and venue of the picnic is as below:

Date: Saturday, July 21, 2007
Time: 11.45 AM to 6 PM
Venue: Petticoat Creek Conservation Area - Pickering
Directions: 1100 Whites Road in Pickering, just 1 KM South off Highway 401.

It will be a great opportunity to meet all folks from Uttarakhand and exchange ideas. We will also conduct some games and entertainment programme. Volunteers are welcomed, in fact required.

Programme will start with introduction and snackes. Then we will have BBQ
followed by our typical pahari Lunch. All families are welcome to bring food of their choice as contribution to our day long lunch menu.

The admission to our annual picnic is FREE, however there is a nominal park entrance fee of either $ 10 per car or $ 5.00 per adult (above age 16) as recently mentioned in their website.

The purpose of this picnic is to meet all PAHARI folks, enjoy their company and brain storm for the betterment of society and Uttarakhand culture as a whole.

As suggestion regarding entertainment and sport are most welcomed. Please pass this information to other Uttarakhandis and mark this date on your calendar. Map of the picnic site is attached herewith. I will be pleased to answer any query related to picnic.

Thanks and see you on Saturday July 21, 2007.

Regards,
Bharat Singh
Secretary, UCA, Toronto