Last weekend, attendees gathered in Downtown Cary for Hum Sub’s Basant Bahar 2024. The term Basant Bahar refers to two ragas, or the melodic structures that define traditional Indian music, Basant and Bahar. The show is a collection of performances by local groups celebrating the arrival of spring. Sachin Joshi, Hum Sub’s President, shared a few words during the event.
“It’s my pleasure and honor to welcome you all to this plentiful Basant Bahar event by Hum Sub. This year’s theme is Naman. It means ‘salutations’… [Today’s Performances] inspire us, and also to the future generation impress this diversity in our culture. As we pause, I invite you to fully immerse yourself in the spirit of this moment. Let the rhythms of dance and music reconnect you to our roots of the culture.“
Also speaking at the event was Council Member Sarika Bansal, the first Indian American to serve on the Cary Town Council.
“It is with great pleasure and honor that I stand before you today at this vibrant Basant Bahar event. This occasion is not just a celebration of the arrival of spring, but also a testament to the rich culture and diversity that thrives in our community. Events like Basant Bahar provide us with an opportunity to come together as a community, to embrace our differences, and to celebrate our shared heritage. They remind us that despite our varied backgrounds and beliefs, we are all bound together by the common threads of humanity and compassion.”
We also got the chance to speak briefly with Anandakrishnan Narayanan, who is a member of the Hum Sub Board of Directors and has been a part of Hum Sub for 18 years.
“Hum Sub has absolutely grown over time. Hum Sub has been in existence for 24 years, so this is the 24th Basant Bahar. We do multiple events, this is one of the premier events. It’s more focused on Indian classical music, not from films like Bollywood or Hollywood. But then there’s Diwali later on in the fall, that is a huge event. Holi is coming, we are working with the town of Apex for that event.”
If you missed Basant Bahar and would like to watch the performances for yourself, you can view a recording of the event here.
Hum Sub is also looking for applicants for the Youth Achievement Award 2024, which includes $6000 in cash awards. The award is open to all middle and high school students within the state of North Carolina. Visit here to learn more.
You can also follow Hum Sub on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram to stay up to date on their events throughout the year.