makingofosaconvention2006inmd

For pictures during "making of OSA" and convention photographs click on OSA 2006/Convention/Photos on the following link:

Orissa Society of the Americas

Mail to all volunteers that worked for OSA 2006:

July 4th 2006

As I flipped over the missed email messages on my cell phone after 48 hours, the voice mails seemed eerie. It was like the past was coming alive. All the emergency messages like "Julie, this is Naresh bhaina, kaNa sabu nebAku kahicha Aama garage ru mun bujhi pAru nahin. Call me up immediately" or Surendra bhaina's voice asking something urgent about the stage or Maushumi saying " Julie apa, how many baali bastas do we need? Call me up soon". Those 20 odd messages collected in the past 48 hours that I could not take, sounded amazing. It was like reliving the past 3 months once again.

When we met at Nursingha Bhaina and Bandita nani's 25th wedding anniversary and soon after at Sangeeta's baby shower, while eating Joy Gopal bhaina's rasagollas, we were let into the secret that the dreaded OSA convention project was going to be taken up by DC and local chapters. I never gave it much attention.

Soon after Holi, things started picking up and we met for the first time in Joy Gopal bhaina's house over hand-made samosas and tea. And apart from discussing some important aspects of giving the project a firm starting push, we promised each other, under Naresh Bhaina's oath that 'today we are sitting down as a group and we shall promise to stay united after the convention is over. No misunderstanding, anger or reproach would be carried over after July 3rd". For the second time I did not pay attention.

What began at the pace of a horse in April, picked up speed and excitement and sprang forth with the power of a jaguar in May and June. Every house was a "kutira shilpa udyoga". Every woman there was the ambidextrous Arjuna--cooking, cleaning, feeding, painting, writing, fighting, receiving, congratulating, appreciating--all these emotions spewing forth at the same time. Every husband was like Ravana whose head was being cut many many times by their better halves, but they were springing forth a million heads to take in all the chaos, commotion, coaxing and kudos from friends and family. Every child was a bundle of excitement on every weekend, to practice "My name is Madhabi..". Some even had the song recorded on their dads' cell phones just so that they could hear the song in case a computer or CDman wasn't available in the vicinity!

There were moments of trepidation as before every wedding: whether the girl would have enough ornaments to wear, whether the groom would turn up on time, whether the food for the barajaatri would be good or not, whether the mother in law would approve or not and finally whether the bride and groom would be happy at the end or not. In order to achieve these things we set about forming small committees which very soon dissolved into one large one where everyone was working everywhere!

As was normal, we criticized behind people's backs, we wrote hundreds of emails to each other bordering on paranoia, we made numerous phone calls, utterly neglected our workplace, made OSA convention our number one priority, more often that not we lost confidence in the others performance, but even so we went along our jobs with sincerity and perseverance- with one goal that OSA 2006 should be memorable for each one of us. If we underestimated our strength at any point in time, our sincerity paid off with a flawless and smooth flowing program for the entire period of 3 nights and 2 days.

I have never believed in et als. For me, each person makes his own strong contribution--you cannot bracket or 'etc' him with another. Therefore I will go into elaborating my congratulations and thankyous for each one of the people that I have interacted with during this period- where either cultural or decoration team work was concerned.

Naresh Bhaina: When I say that he is a cool person, most people disagree with me! But I have never had him lose his cool at me even under some of the 'abhimania'/angry emails that I have written to him, or asked him for any kind of physical help. At any time you would walk into his house, the first thing he would ask you to do was eat something.

Bigyani Nani: She is the cucumber of the team! Never has raised her voice, never has responded nastily to any email and has never wavered from her commitments and goal. All I can say to her is 'thankyou for having the confidence in me".

Joygopal bhaina: An ever smiling face. Has answered all my emails, has returned all my phone calls, has patiently approved of whatever budget I have put forth before him, sometimes called me up at my workplace to cool down my nerves, has given my family some space to walk about by periodically lifting woodwork from our home to his. Most importantly had the grace and courage to accept the position of convener, knowing fully well what flak he would have to take if there was any flaw. Sanu Nani thanks for letting him take the responsibility.

Brahma and Sikha: This is again another smile that is infectious. Umpteen trips with me and Abhijit to Home Depot, using his van like a truck, but never complaining. If I had to return some wood work, he would say "Lord Brahma nka katha tike suNithile kete bhala hei thAnta"! Thankyou so much Sikha for the stage meeting table decor and accessories and all the hard work for the overall decoration.

Surendra bhaina: Leadership, hard work and iron hand provided the best chorus ever. Thankyou Chorus team. Thankyou Bhaina also for the use of your van for numerous transport purposes.

Arun Bhaina: When I finally got a call from him, I was elated like never before. If anyone has liked the decor of OSA 2006, 100% credit goes to him. On hot summer afternoons we have hijacked him from his home to work with us and give us ideas. And he has helped us with every bit of it. Thankyou Bhaina.

Debaki: His contribution has been manifold. Never falling prey to anger or reproach, he is a unique person to work with. Whether it was his basement or van, time or talent, he has never shown a crease on his forehead. Anjana needs as many thankyous for tolerating swarms of kids all the time and cooking all the good food.

Deepa and Raja: Deepa for accommodating with all the rehearsal times, lending her home, providing the great dinners and for the splendidly smooth flowing Subrina Biswal Competition. Raja for standing by as the true loving husband and father at all points in time. Some of his contributions are on the webshots!

Maushumi and Sandeep: Maushumi for listening to ALL my requests like a kid sister and painting those beautiful pots with Sangeeta, Meera nani and Sikha. Sandeep for finally getting all those sandbags from Walmart. I thought at one point he would kill me!

Meera nani and Sasadhar Bhaina: If there was a couple that has never lost a moment in appreciating every bit of work, it has been them. Meera nani is a dazzling performer and also a very dear friend. Bhaina is a great cheer leader for all times. He has handled his treasury office with care!

Nrusingha bhaina and Bandita nani: So much water has flown under the bridge since the anniversary celebrations. But their love and will power hasn't wavered. We are thankful to God for having returned Nani to us, unscathed. Their support has been tremendous.

Sangeeta: She is one of the best people to work with. With a baby in her hand she has shown up for ALL the trips to the school and hotel --painted, fixed, hammered, screwed nuts and bolts with Maushumi and me in all the visits. She was physically available at all times. She is one person you can rely upon a full 100%.

Jayashree Nani and Babru bhaina: Congratulations on the beautiful ethnic registration panels, thankyou for having ordered the banners and materials from India and the sumptuous lunches. Congratulations to Bhaina for being her loyal husband at all times. The souvenir is a great piece of art work from you and your team.

"My name is Madhabi" parents: Can't thank you enough for coming to all rehearsals and putting up with me. You made the show a masterpiece. My special hug for all the young patriots. Arun Babu and Ila thanks for all the help.

Geeta Apa: Thankyou for lending us your beautiful panels, the meeting table decor, for your ideas and spreading that infectious smile.

Indu Bhaina, Pradyot, Urmila Apa and Nita Apa: This food was the best anyone has ever had not just in OSA but any eastern Indian food on US soil. Congrats and Cheers to you all.

Chitrahaar team that represented the OSA 2006 volunteer spirit: Lucy, Joydip, Reema, Sudhir, Jhili, Pradyot, Priya and Aparna: you rocked the stage.

Jayantee Paine Ganguly: If the first program was a hit, it was because of you. You are the best friend of this community. Thankyou for the costumes, decoration materials and Lord Jagannath himself. Thanks for making Jaagare and Utkala Bandana so beautiful. You made the couples (Linnie/Dipak, Leena/Bimal, Madhabi/Upendra and Maushumi/Sandeep) stand out like from Devdas! And with the blue costumes the girls (Raju, Shilpa, Shweta, Guddu, Mrunali, Saswati, Divya and Ankita) just fired up the stage.

Munu Apa: Without you Utkala Bandana couples could have never been found. Thanks for scouting for them.

Reena Bhauja and Ranju bhaina: Help, help, help is their motto in life. Apart from organizing for Bhangra, Kumar Barve and DJ, Bhauja has been there for all back stage and dressing room help and tailoring needs for all at all times.

Ajit Bhaina and Shobhana Nani: Made for each other couple. Again, infectious smiles, appreciation for every small act, patient ear to every story and generous hand for every venture. I wonder how I never knew them earlier than this.

Pratap: A bombshell of dramatic talent and innovation. He brought laurels to the chapter. Sanu has been a great critic during all chorus sessions providing valuable inputs.

Leena and Bimal: Great couple, sincere workers and dear friends. Thankyou for the basement, dinners and Formula 1 style driving woodwork in your van without using rear view mirrors!

Binod Bhaina and Bandita Nani: For your appreciation at all moments. For making every mehfil so cozy and enjoyable. For your time and energy spent on the great souvenir.

Pradeep and Sushmita: Gobinda Aasibe! Talent, energy, cordial nature, helping hand and new ideas is this Toronto couple's trademark. We love you. Congrats to your drama team including BaNasura Gati, Lion Satish, prodigy Debanjan and obedient Sumbha Nisumbhas Siddharth and Alok.

Meera Das: Your presence, encouragement and lending of the great musicians cannot be thanked enough. Thanks to you we could get our decoration stuff from India. Thankyou to Sri Tansen Singh for giving me a chance to stand on the stage with him.

Dhira: Thanks for being supportive at all times.

Chhabi nani, Anu Apa and Pinu Apa: Whenever I have met you during these 3 days you have had only words of encouragement and the biggest hugs. A little appreciation goes a long way. Thankyou for being the constant pillars of praise for OSA 2006.

New Jersey team (Amar/Seema, Priya/Aparna, Mahendra/Milu bhauja, Eva and Pradip/Rosy): I have missed your NJ team spirit after moving here. It was great to see your shows and talents. Thanks for your support.

Kitu and Bindu: WE UTTERLY MISSED YOU GUYS!

I don't think this list will be complete if I did not mention two more people that have contributed more than 100%.

Abhijit: If it weren't for him, NONE of the decoration materials used for OSA 2006 would be standing erect. Thank you for making the complete Mehfil wood work from scratch, thank you for making the Khatulis from scratch, thank you for making the last minute support frame for the registration panels to stand erect, thank you for making the wooden jaafris at the school entrance, thank you for driving me up an down and thank you for putting up with me, day in and day out for 3 stressful months.

My mother-in-law: For making all the meals to feed the Ray brood. For keeping the house clean, for helping with all the woodwork that was made in our living room, for setting up the Mehfil room with Sangeeta and me when we all were a bunch of nerves. Thankyou for being my mother.

Friends, from the humungous list of names above you can understand that there isn't one or two people who you can single out as the biggest contributors for any aspect. It was a super team effort. However like many of us volunteers, I will add that OSA has given me several pleasurable moments and just as many disappointed and unpleasant moments. Each of these memories is etched in my heart for years to come.

Thanks

Julie

PS: If I have left out anyone's name, please forgive me. It is an unpardonable slip.

This page is created and maintained by Julie Acharya Ray