Inaugural Vandana (Blessings)

Welcome to a celebration of 59th Presidential Inaugural festivities of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with a program of prayer, dance and music marking Rev. Martin Luther King National Day of Service.

The event starts with a Prayer in Sanskrit (with English translation) from Hindu scripture blessing President Biden and VP Harris for their inauguration and to carry out their duties hence forth. The prayer is offered by Kumu Gupta, former President’s Challenge Advocate (under President Obama) & Co Chair Annual MLK Day Breakfast Meeting as Vice Chair Mayor’s Human Rights Commission. Ms. Gupta had the honor of meeting Rev. King’s daughter Ms. Yolanda King.

This is followed by a dance segment invocation to Lord Ganesha that is also teaching session of the dance which audience can participate in, in their living rooms. The dance performances are by desciple Anjali Nath of legendary Kathak Pundit Chitresh Das, recipient of prestigious National Heritage Fellowship signed by President Obama. Maestro of Dance Chitresh Das was a big proponent of access of arts across gender, race and class offering free classes to the under privileged.

The program concludes with a Global Medley of instrumental music by , Beth Bahia Cohen an acclaimed master performer and teacher of a unique and impressive array of bowed stringed instruments. Beth is an Assistant Professor in the Berklee College of Music string department and an Applied Music faculty member at Tufts University. Beth’s father was close friends with Rev. King’s lawyer and Beth has fond memories of seeing Rev. King up close while growing up.

Rev. Martin Luther King believed in power of prayer and service to those who are shut out due to disparities and this event is in following in his footsteps.

A zoom link will be provided on registeration for the event.