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.
Monday
03-05-2007
