Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 CITY VIEWS May 22, 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT Diverse Generations Gather For Spiritual Wellness Event In Queens C ommunity members from across generations gathered May 9 for a spiritual wellness and self- growth program titled “From Service to Self: A Spiritual Experience for Every Generation,” held at a residence onWexford Terrace in Jamaica, Queens. The four-hour event brought together more than 50 attendees, including spiritual seekers, community advocates and supporters of vegan initiatives, for an afternoon focused on meditation, yoga, mindfulness and personal development. The program featured Ms. Rajyashree Chaudhuri, national president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Ma- hasabha, as chief guest. Panel discussions included remarks from Rakesh Bhargava, planning director and past president of the NewYork chapter ofWorld Vegan Vision, and Uma Swaminathan of AIA New Jersey and World Vegan Vision. The event was emceed by Kavya Ramani, while rep- resentatives Andre and Mallica participated on behalf of theWorld Peace Organization (HWPL). Meditation and yoga sessions were led by Mirla Pireira, who guided participants through mindfulness exercises aimed at promoting inner peace, emotional balance and resilience. Organizers also arranged inter- active workshops, games and discussions designed to encourage self-reflection, communication and com- munity engagement. The gathering concluded with a vegan dinner where attendees shared experiences and continued discussions in an informal setting. Organizers said the event reflected the collaborative efforts of organizations includingWorld Vegan Vision, founded by H.K. and Malti Shah, Ananda Marga, and Hu- man Light Foundation Inc. Special recognition was given to coordinators Radhika Acharya, also known as Didi Ananda Radhika, Dr. Bimal Ramani and Nitin Vyas, public relations director ofWorld Vegan Vision, for their contributions in organizing the program. The occasion was also recognized with special cita- tions presented on behalf of Clyde Vanel. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:ORGANIZERS Nitin Vyas, Public Relations Director of World Vegan Vision, was honored with special citations presented on behalf of Clyde Vanel during the spiri- tual wellness gathering in Jamaica, Queens. Odissi Dance Festival To Celebrate Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s Centennial In Edison D r. Aparupa Chatterjee, artistic director of the Odissi Dance Company and a prominent Odissi dancer, choreographer and men- tor, will present the 14th Kelucharan Guna Keertanam on May 31 at the ITV Gold Auditorium in Edison, New Jersey. The annual festival, scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., will commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Odissi guru Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra while also celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Founded in 2011 in Texas, the festival was created as a tribute to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, widely regarded as the architect of modern Odissi dance from the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Born in Raghurajpur, India and trained through years of dedication, Mo- hapatra rose to become one of India’s most celebrated classical dancers and choreographers before his death in 2004. Chatterjee, a former ensemble dancer with “Srjan,” Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s institution, said the festi- val aims to preserve and extend the artistic vision of her guru Shri Ratikant Mohapatra through choreography, performance, education and cultural outreach in the United States. Organizers said this year’s program will focus on women’s empowerment through dance education and pedagogy while bringing together artists and patrons dedicated to artistic excellence and authentic classical traditions. The event will feature a special guest performance by renowned Odissi dancer Smt. Sujata Mohapatra from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Earlier performances from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will include presentations by artists from the Odissi Dance Company, Kuchipudi performances by disciples of Swathi Atluri, Kathak performances by Archana Joglekar’s troupe and appearances by rising dancers from New Jersey and NewYork. Edison Councilman Biral Patel is expected to attend as guest of honor along with several invited delegates and community leaders. Chatterjee, considered a torchbearer of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana in the United States, holds a doctorate fromTexas A&M University. In ad- dition to performing and choreographing, her work focuses on developing dance pedagogy for modern learners and expanding access to classical arts educa- tion for seniors and underserved communities. She has received recognition from India’s Ministry of Culture, Sur Sansad Mumbai’s Singar Mani honor, the AIARD Fellowship, the Howard Buffett Fellowship for International Development, the North Dakota Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and Indian Raga Senior Fellowships. Her choreography was also presented at Carnegie Hall last year. Organizers said the festival seeks to provide audienc- es with an immersive experience celebrating classical Indian dance, heritage and cultural continuity across generations. By a StaffWriter