from Vijay Sharma <vijay2sharma@yahoo.com>
UANA Heartfelt Condolences for Girda
Respected All,
Our most heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy go to Girda's family and entire Uttarakhand community. Girda's sudden demise comes as a big shock to everyone in Uttarakhand community who knew him and his work.
UANA family had the fortune to host Girda at 2007 UANA Annual Convention and myself & Dr. Ramesh C. Pandey visited him last year at his home in Nainital last year. I had many instances to talk to him over phone and strongly believe Girda was a great friend and a tireless advocate of our community. His selfless and relentless services to the community touched many of us.
Born on 10th September 1942 in village Jyoli near Hawalbag in Almora District of Uttarakhand, Mr. Girish Chandra Tewari, GIRDA, was a distinguished folk personality of Uttarakhand. He was a lyricist, singer, organic culturist, literary writer and social activist.He did his matriculation from Govt. Inter College Almora and Intermediate from Nainital. He came in contact with renowned lyricist and writer Late Brijendra Lal Sah and realized his potential for creativity.At the age of twenty-one GIRDA met some social activist at Lakheempur Khiri and got influenced by their work in the society. These meetings at such a tender age changed the life path of GIRDA and made him a creative writer and a social activist. He was associated with the famed “Chipko” Movement and later with the UTTARAKHAND ANDOLAN.
GIRDA directed famous plays like “Andha Yug”, “Andher Nagri”, “Thank you Mr. Glad” and “Bharat Durdasha”. GIRDA famous plays include “Nagare Khamosh Hain” and “Dhanush Yagya”. GIRDA edited “Shikharon ke Swar” in 1969, and later “Hamari Kavita ke Ankhar” and “Rang Dari Dio Albelin Main”. GIRDA’s latest compilation of poems and songs specially focusing “Uttarakhand Andolan” and “Uttarakhand Kavya” was published in Yr. 2002.
The famous poet, whose writing was an inspiration for Uttarakhand agitators, had developed multiple disorders due to eruption of ulcer. The poet of the masses, who is equally acclaimed by Uttarakhandi and Hindi-knowing people, lost weight drastically.Girda a few months ago had a severe heart attack and since then was not been keeping well. The man who shook the erstwhile UP government through his songs during the Uttarakhand movement was seen going to the doctor on limping legs. Having taken voluntary retirement from instructor-ship in the Song and Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Girda has dedicated himself for the cause of Uttarakhand. During the Uttarakhand movement, his work was to write poems and recite those at various parts of Uttarakhand.
We offer our sympathy to Girda's family especially his young son and hope that the memory of his work and personality will sustain them in their sorrow which we all share. May his spirit soar forever free.
We are arranging a "Srandhajali Sabha" (conference call) for the loss of a gem of Uttarakhand.
We request all to join and express our deepest condolences towards Girish Tiwari (Girda). Apologies for short notice, this was best time for persons in USA/ India to join the call.
Call in details:
Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 562-3000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (605) 562-3000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Participant Access Code: 617167#
Time: 1 pm EST (22 Aug 2010)
With respect
Vijay Sharma,
President, Uttarakhand Association of North America (UANA)
2 Lakeview Ave. Suite #1A
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Cell:908-421-5866 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 908-421-5866
