Kerala Hindu’s Hindu Convention in US to kick start on July 10

Hindu Convention organised by KHNA- Kerala Hindus of North America will be held Ontario, CA, 40 miles from Los Angeles, July 10-13, 2009. Convention will highlight a plethora of eminent dignataries. Following are some of the personalities who will entertain the senses and intellect.   

SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR: His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and multi-faceted humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free family has inspired millions of people worldwide. He founded the Art of Living Foundation that is active in many countries around the world. An icon of non-violence and universal human values, “Guruji,” as he is known to his ardent followers, seeks global peace through service and dialogue.
    
SWAMI ISHWARANANDAJI is an expert in the field of Vedanta, and delivers the most inspiring messages from our ancient culture and religion. As Brahmachari Someshwar Chaitanya, he served Chinmaya Mission centers in Bangalore and Kolkata, and later inspired many with his witty and enthusiastic lectures and satsangs in Los Angeles.
    
Dr. N. GOPALAKRISHNAN is a well known public speaker from Kerala, India., founder and Hon. Director of Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage, Thiruvana nthapuram, India. He delivers lectures to the xecutives, managers, and professors at universities, training institutes and professional colleges. He is currently devoting time for establishing the National Heritage Center for learning at Mazhuvanchery, Trissur Dist.
    
SWAMI SACHIDANANDAJI is the President of the Sree Narayana Guru Chaithanya Madom and Gayathri Ashramam at Chalakudy. Swamiji was conferred the title of “Brahma Vidya Acharya” by Sivagiri Mutt after the completion of 7-year studies in Indian Theology and Philosophy. He was the Chief Editor of the Sivagiri Magazine and was honored with the “Sree Narayana Dharmaacharya” State Award for Oratorical Excellence. He has given discourses and lectures in several cities in India and Gulf countries
    
SWAMI SIDHANANDAJI’S enquiry into Vedanta began in 1972 when he joined Chinmaya Mission at andeepany Sadha nalaya, Mumbai. He was guided by our very own Gurudev, Swami Chinmaya nanda. At present Swamiji is responsible for the Chinmaya Publications which serves all Mission centers in North
America.
    
SWAMI SHANTHANANDAJI, currently in the Tri-state area in North-east USA, began his path in Vedanta in the sixties as Brahmachari Raghavan, and served as Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s travelling secretary. During the 50th year cele bration of Chinmaya Mission, Swamiji continued with his inspiration and conducted 50 Geetha jnana yagnas all over the world.
    
Padmabhushan TN. KRISHNAN is India’s pre-eminent violin virtuoso who has been performing, composing, teaching, and promoting Indian classical music all over the world for the past six decades. He has trained a number of students in renowned Music schools at Chennai and Delhi, and traveled all over the globe as a cultural ambassador performing and promoting India’s rich musical traditions. In his performance at the convention, he will be accompaned by his son, Sri. Sriram Krishnan, who is a well-accomplished concert violinist on his own right.
    
J. LALITHAMBIKA, IAS. is among the most accomplished women administrators from Kerala, and was a former Additional Chief Secretary of the Govt of Kerala. She is among the most sought-after speakers on a multitude of topics, including the role of women in society and government. She is also active in several chritable and socio-cultural organizations in Kerala.
    
SANKARAN NAMBOOTHIRY is among the most well-known Karnatic vocalists from Kerala. A fan favorite even as a child prodigy, he had the rare accomplishment of singing for the President of India at the young age of 11. He has also received state awards for film playback singing, and has toured all over the world giving classical concerts accompanied by some of the most eminentn accompanists in South Indian Music. He is known for a deep and vibrant voice and the depth of bhava in his devotionally charged music.
    
BIJU NARAYANAN, a post-graduate in Political Science, music was always Biju’s first love. For eight years Biju studied Carnatic music under Aryanad Sadasivan. In 1996, Biju was adjudged the best male singer in the State drama awards. He is among the most popular film playback singers in South India, and has performed with his orchestra in several countries around the world.
    
Rimi Tomy, born in Palai, Kerala, made her debut in playback singing in the film ‘Meesa Madhavan’ with the hit number ‘Chingamasam VannuChernnal’. A fan favorite with her lively cable television shows, she is also popular as a very lively stage performer.
    
Rajesh Pisharody who hails from the Ernakulam District in Kerala, initially trained under Shri. Trichur Sahadevan in Mohiniattam, under whom he performed his Arangetram true to Kerala tradition. This was followed by further training in Chennai under Padmashri Smt. Chitra Vishwesharan in Bharathnatyam, and extensive tours with her troupe all over the world in dance ballets and solo performances.
    
Mala Pisharody, started her dance training at an early age of eight in three classical dance styles, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathakali with very distinguished Gurus in Kerala. She also completed her Ganabhooshanam diploma course in music.
    
Anupama Varma, born in the cradle of temple arts Tripunithura, and a member of the Cochin Royal Family, acquired her basic skills in kathakali under her Guru Shree FACT Padmanabhan. She was an award winner at the University festival (1996) for her performance as “Keechaka”.

 SEMINARS GALORE AT THE KHNA CONVENTION:

The convention will highlight several parallel seminar sessions where KHNA has invited guests to speak, and several more seminars where the KHNA community can take part as speakers and discussants Dr. N. GOPALAKRISHNAN

Chinmaya Mission Seminars Conducted by Swamijis Ishwarananda, Siddhananda, and Shanthananda. The sessions over two days in the religious hall will include extensive edcucational, vedantic and cultural dscourses of interests to the convention participants.
    
Women’s Forum organized by the KHNA women’s council chair, Smt. Kumari Nair,  this two-hour forum will include talks and panel discussions with eminent speakers such as Smt. Gowri Parvathi Bai of the Travancore palace, Smt. J. Lalitambika, IAS as well as many invited women from N.America.  Highlights will include video presentation from Smt. Sasikala Teacher of Hindu Aikyavedhi, Kerala, about Traditional Values in Kerala.

Seminars on Hinduism Two large sessions on • Intellectual Hinduism • Perspectives on Kerala Hinduism organized by Prof. A.K.B. Pillai, NY, Sri. Udayabhanu Panicker, Georgia and Sri. Govindankutty Nair, CA. A Highlight Topic will be “Religious Conversion and Re-conversion of Hindus in the US: The Oaklahoma City Case Study,” expected to be an eye-openor for our community.
    
Literary Seminar: A large seminar with presentations from eminent scholars such as Sri. Baburajan, NY, Dr. M.V. Pillai, Virginia, and Dr. A.P. Sukumar, Vancouver.  A highlight is the associated program, “Sahithya Sangeethm” with Kerala poetic works rendered by     Sri. Sankaran Nampoothiry at the covention.
Business Seminars (To be presented by successful businessmen and entrepreneurs from the Malayali hindu community):
– Economic Downturn and the IT industry:  Hurting us or Giving Opportunities?
– Business successes from our community:  Lessons to learn
– Future KHNA activities with sustainable business plans

Social Seminars:
– Caste Unity among Malayali Hindus, organized by Sri. Presannan Pillai, IL.   This seminar focuses on an issue of deep significance to the social transformation in malayalees.
– Youth-Parents Round Table:  Anonymous accounts:  with participation from youth on parental reactions to their life decisions, and Panel discussion by parents and Youth.

Health Seminars :
– Diet and heart problems among malayalees – Talks by Eminent doctors from our community.
– Psychological issues among the elders in our community
– Ayurveda.  – this seminar is expected to feature well-known Ayurvedic institutions from Kerala.
These are in addition to the medical camp for women and children at the convention!

Miscellaneous Seminars:
– Kerala Temples in North America, discussing the experiences Toronto and Houston.
– Classical Music 101:  How to learn and enjoy classical music with malayalam film songs  with audience participation in singing, in an informal atmosphere.
– Round Table:  KHNA Network for Cultural/Arts Tours of Kerala Performers

For More Details – http://www.namaha.org/convention_index.html

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