Essequibo’s vibrant young talents left an inspiring mark at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Kala Utsav 2025, held on Sunday at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar. More than 50 enthusiastic youths represented the Essequibo Coast Praant with grace, confidence, and deep cultural pride as they took the national stage.
This year’s event showcased a diverse blend of traditional art forms — from devotional singing and chanting to classical and folk dances — all aimed at nurturing and preserving Hindu cultural heritage. The Essequibo contingent earned several top accolades, including 1st Prize in Classical Dance, 1st Prize in Folk Dance, 3rd Prize in Ramayan Chanting, along with Participants Prizes in Female Singing, Male Singing, Kirtan, and Instrumental Music.
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, warmly commended the regional participants for their dedication. She highlighted the importance of youth involvement in cultural activities, noting that Kala Utsav continues to serve as a launching pad for young artistes across Guyana.
“Kala Utsav has been the platform for many of Guyana’s outstanding singers. We are celebrating youthful talent in the arts,” Dr. Persaud said.
Rigorous Training and Community Effort in Essequibo
In the weeks leading up to the competition, the Essequibo Coast Praant Dharmic Naujawan organised extensive training sessions at mandirs and community halls throughout the region. Guided by skilled teachers, cultural instructors, and devoted volunteers, participants honed skills in pronunciation, discipline, stage presence, and devotional expression. Parents also played a significant role, ensuring consistent practice and offering moral support.
Choreographer Ravindra Deowattie, who directed the dance segments, shared that he invested countless hours preparing the dancers. He noted that Essequibo has a strong legacy of excellence in Folk Dance and once again lived up to expectations. One performer, Bomeka Singh, described the training process as equally rewarding as the competition itself, helping build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for Hindu culture.
The High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang, congratulated all participants and praised the Sabha for preserving a platform that nurtures cultural connection between India and Guyana. He emphasised that such initiatives strengthen ties between the two nations while supporting youth development through the arts.
A Celebration of Pride and Achievement
For many young participants, the results brought immense joy and pride. Ushanna Takram, a member of the winning Folk Dance group, expressed her excitement:
“We practiced every day after school because we wanted to make Essequibo proud. When they called our name for first prize, I felt so happy — all our work paid off. I can’t wait to be back next year.”
Her words echoed the spirit of Kala Utsav — discipline, devotion, teamwork, and a passion for cultural excellence.
As the Essequibo Coast Praant continues to invest in training, parental involvement, and youth exposure at national events, this year’s achievements stand as a testament to their unwavering commitment. Kala Utsav 2025 not only celebrated artistic talent but also reaffirmed the vital role of culture in shaping confident, dedicated, and community-minded young leaders.
For these rising stars of Essequibo, the journey has only begun — and the future shines brightly.
