This year the pandemic has cut short all the celebrations, and the Chinese New Year was no different. Instead of live physical New Year celebrations, the Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in Mumbai celebrated the virtual Chinese Lunar New Year on the Zoom platform. This year is Ox New Year. The Lunar celebration was held on the Eve of New Year on 11th, February 2021. There was a tremendous response to watch this virtual celebration. It featured an online review of Chinese New Year and its past, alongside new Chinese and Indian artists.
There were various live programmes presented whereas numerous luminaries participated in zoom participation. Indian Politician and Columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni addressed the event. He said “As we mark the Year of the Ox, I’d like to wish you much success and happiness for the year ahead.”
During the zoom presentation various live programmes were presented. Performance namely Dance and Poetry by Blue Ocean Academy Students was well appreciated and was applauded by everyone. Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher Charles Ma was really stunning, it showcased that art has no boundaries. Chinese Poetry & Painting by India China Academy Students were also held. Beside there were programmes like Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis-Chini Chashma Video, Chinese Song by Yeh China Students and Songs by Chinese Consulate staff in Mumbai.
Leading dignitaries shared their views and remarks on the event during the zoom live show. These prominent dignitaries include His Excellency Tang Guocai, Consul General of China in Mumbai, Sudheendra Kulkarni – Indian Politician and Columnist, Dr. Yang Xuhong, Deputy General Manager – ICBC, Dr. G.H. Fernandes, President of ICFA and Dr. Ajit Ranade, Chief Economist of Aditya Birla Group to name a few.
Bharatanatyam dancer Charles Ma in zoom show, Chinese lanterns and Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis’s statue in China
His Excellency Tang Guocai, Consul General of China in Mumbai, speaking with Mumbai Messenger Newspaper said “Due to the pandemic, this year we do not hold physical and live celebrations. We are glad that the virus is melting and it would be a thing of the past. We look forward to the final victory on the virus very soon. We are optimistic that all our cultural and other events would be held regularly in the near future. We wish all our fellow Indians a very happy lunar year.
Ankita Kiran Rathod, a senior journalist from Mumbai said “I was watching China Lunar show on zoom platform. it was a mesmerizing experience for me. During the show I called up many of my friends and updated them about the live show, they too joined the show, i was really stunned to see the performance by school children and Bharat Natyam performance by Charles Ma”
It may be noted that in Mumbai, Chinese Lunar year is celebrated with a big bang every year. This celebration is organized in South Mumbai’s luxury hotel. Top dignitaries from all walks of life attend the event, exclusively on invitation by Consul General of China in Mumbai. Almost all the Consul Generals based in Mumbai attend the events. There are numerous ministers from Maharashtra state and top bureaucrats grace the occasion.
Chinese New Year 2021 observed on Friday, February 12th, 2021. The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China. Celebrations begin about a week in advance and end with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the New Year. Chinese New Year was renamed the Spring Festival after China adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1911.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
