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harmony. A Jain symbol included with other major religions on stage generated curiosity among those unaware about the existence of this religion.
When JAINA decided to participate in the "Global Congress of World's Religions After September 11" to be held in Montreal in 2006, we discussed that the Jain community should host an entire evening divine music program 'Dharma Music Concert'. The Executive Committee agreed and the Montreal Jain Association, Jain Society of Toronto and International Jain Sangh of New Jersey offered their artists. The two hour program coordinated by Hemali Ajmera of Montreal included a rhythmic dance on a favorite prayer of Mahatma Gandhi, a classical dance on human values, a dance for unity, chanting of mantras and short plays sharing ahimsa and inter-religious experiences; among other items. The audience rose and danced to the music and lyrics of the last item embracing all religions by the Satya Sai Center of Montreal. The performance by the beautifully costumed artists had incredible choreography by Jaya Srivastava-Chawla, a Bharata Natyam dance teacher from La Troupe Lasya of Montreal; Puja Amin, an Artistic Director of the Sanskriti Dance and Yoga Center in Toronto; and Divya Jain, a dance guru from the Creations Dance Academy in Edison, New Jersey. The items included English, French, Sanskrit and other Indian languages. Translation in English and French was provided.
The two hour program coordinated by Hemali
Ajmera of Montreal included a rhythmic dance on a favorite
prayer of Mahatma Gandhi, a classical dance on human values, a
dance for unity, chanting of mantras and short plays sharing
ahimsa and interreligious experiences; among other items.
The Montreal Dharma Music Concert was very successful. Those who attended can hardly forget that evening. The opening ceremonies of the UNESCO Forum in Monterrey, Mexico, will be held during September 2007. Based on the performance in the Montreal event, the Monterrey organizers have invited JAINA for an artistic performance item depicting peace and harmony. The next (fifth) Parliament of World's Religions will be held in Melbourne, Australia in December 2009. For Jains that could provide an opportunity to bring Mahavir's message of Nonviolence to the worldwide community through organized participation including performing arts.
In essence, dance, music and rhythms have no barriers. We may identify ourselves as Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain or a Muslim, but we are humans first. If we all could sing and dance happily together, the world would be a wonderful and peaceful place to live.
Whirling Dervishes at the 2004
Barcelona Parliament.
Nirav Shah from JAINA in youth group at the Barcelona closing ceremony.
PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007 Jain Education Interational
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