Jain Digest 1998 01 Vol 14 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 10

INTERNATIONAL NEWS (continued)
PANCHAKALYANAKA
From the life of Mahavira Janak Khendry--an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer-made history by presenting "PANCHAKALYANAKA- From the Life of Mahavira" on October 15, 1997, at the Premiere Dance Theatre, Toronto, Canada.
"This is the first time that the life of a Jain Tirthankra has ever been presented in classical dance. This was not the usual dance drama. This was a true narrative of the life of a great soul presented reverently, absorbingly and touchingly. The most remarkable thing about this presentation was that Khendry was able to put forward Bhagwan Mahavira's message of Ahimsa without HIS presence on stage. Khendry showed a great deal of sensitivity and reverence for the Jain tradition.
PANCHAKALYANAKA was presented in five acts, each act representing a Kalyanakafrom Garbha to Moksha. The combination of twelve excellent dancers, Khendry's breathtakingly beautiful choreography, Suren Thakar Mehul's euphonious lyrics, Ashit Desai's divine music, Hema and Ashit Desai's haunting voices created an unforgettable event that was fit for the gods. The dance solos, duets and trios were beautifully choreographed and executed.
The most unusual quartet of male dancers, celebrating the lustration of Mahavira was spellbinding. The birth celebrations in King Siddhartha's court where Khendry combined Bharatnatyam, Oddisi and Kathak were an aesthetic experience of colour, movement and light. Diksha Utsav and the Last Sermon were the most moving scenes. The finale was so emotional that it brought the audience to their feet.
After three and a half years of study-research and the blessings of late H. H. Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj and H.H. Gurudev Chitrabhhanuji, Janak Khendry was able to present—with great humility-Bhagwan Mahavira's message of Ahimsa to the world.
REGIONAL NEWS
CANADA Dr. Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor Toronto
The Convention Organizing Commit- tee. On Sunday, 11th of January 1998, a General Body meeting of Jain Society of Toronto unanimously approved payment of 25% of the surplus fund from 9th Bien- nial JAINA Convention to JAINA.
Young Jains Workshop. The Young Jains of Toronto, under the leadership of Paulomi Gudka and Amit Sanghavi, and members of Pathshala organized very suc- cessful Interactive Workshops on Jainism at Jain Centre on Sunday, January 3, 1998. Approximately 125 Young Jains participated and groups were formed under various adult and young leaders for interactive study. Balbhadraji led the discussion on Our Soul and Further Implications, Sima Sheth on Jain Ethics, Dr. Vastupal Parikh 8/JAIN DIGEST SPRING 1998
on History of Jainism, Meena Mehta on Jain Arts, Arti Sanghavi and Meenaben Shah on Gabhara Etiquette, Amit Sanghavi and Paulomi Gudka on Temple Politics and Arvind Shah on Ancient Jain Literature.
The regular Pathshala classes are conducted by Sima Sheth and Meenaben Shah in East Toronto every second Sunday of the month and by Meena Mehta and Arti Sanghavi at Jain Centre every fourth Sun- day. Balbhadraji supervises both classses.
Adult Study Group. In the early hour of 8 on first Sunday of every month, many adult members and some young ones meet at the Centre under the leadership of Balbhadraji to study pre-assigned chapters from Jain texts. At present, we are studying The Path of Purification by Professor Jaini
of UCSF.
Jain Holidays in Ontario. After persisting for so long, Prakash Mody has succeeded in including Jain Holy Days for the employees of Government of Ontario, as published in 1998 List of Holidays. This includes Mahavir Jayanti (April 9), Paryushan-Samvatsari (August 27) and Mahavir Nirvan (October 19). The Jain community thanks Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual & Religious Care and Management Board Secretariat of the Government of Ontario for this change.
Library. Rohit Sheth has generously donated to our library the following volumes: An Encyclopedia of Jainism, The Doctrine of Karma, The Jain Theories of Reality.
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