TAMU LHOCHHAR 2024 “YEAR OF THE EAGLE” तमु ल्होछार/ल्होसार मुप्री-ल्हो/चील-वर्ग
Date : Jan 7, 2024
Posted By : Admin
Event Description :
The biggest festival of Tamu/Gurung community तमु ल्होछार/ल्होसार Tamu Lho-Chhar 2024 “Year of The Eagle” was celebrated by Tamu Samaj Victoria (Australia) community from 4 pm to 9 pm on Friday 31 December 2023 (पुष १५) at Estonian House, 43 Melville Rd, Brunswick West, Victoria 3055. More than 600+ local community members across Melbourne, family visitors from overseas, community leaders, sponsors, partners and supporters got together to witness a record crowd attendance to mark the occasion. The event door entry fees were set to $5 for TSV member and $10 for non-members, which helped to deliver the event in a sustainable manner.
Some highlights of the day were –
- Prayers and chanting from Sange Lama Indra Bahadur Gurung to bid farewell to “Year of The Cat” and welcome new “Year of The Eagle”. 108 ghee lamps were lit in memory of deceased loved ones, and best wishes for everyone. The attendees also received lama’s blessings and prayers for the new year.
- Session 1 of the program started with MC Sabina Gurung briefing the program overview. After acknowledging the traditional landowners of Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, national anthems (Nepal and Australia) were played. TSV secretary Dr Arun K Gurung gave an overview and current status of TSV, and introduced TSV President Tej Gurung who delivered a welcome speech and officially opened the program. Afterwards, there were acknowledgement and welcome to the guests (community leaders, business sponsors) by offering Khada from TSV Mothers team, a speech by chief guest Honorary Consul General of Nepal to Victoria Mr Chandra Yonzon, launch of TSV annual magazine 2024, and recognition of academic achievers in calendar year 2023 (VCE and University graduates).
- Session 2 of the program included stage cultural performances – music and dance items. The session was managed by a team of talented MCs – Laxman Gurung, Moona Gurung and Merina Gurung. Many local TSV community artists have been practising the dances for several weeks at the venue provided by the Himalayan Club at Preston, and some at home. About 13 dance items included a mix of traditional Tamu and contemporary Nepali routines. All the great performances were received by the audience with a great enthusiasm and applause.
- TSV also acknowledged the business sponsors for their financial support – Gold Sponsor (The Kathmandu Cottage), Silver Sponsors (Aalora Care, Simply Best Halal Meats, Red Panda Finance), Bronze Sponsors (Bombay Real Estate, 8848 Supplies, Mantra Plumbing and Gas, Nest or Invest Buyers Agent). Blush Creatives for a beautiful red carpet photography decoration. SBS Nepali (Dinita Rishal) for a good coverage before and on the event day.
- This year after the new membership model approval in the TSV AGM, we have started a tradition of for the first time felicitation of three TSV Life Members – Pahalman Gurung and Banmaya Gurung, Hasta Gurung and Kamala Gurung, Dr Mohan B Gurung and Shova Gurung. These TSV life family members each have contributed in excess of $5000 to the TSV Cultural Centre Fund.
- Session 3 had a certificate distribution to the cultural artists/volunteers and a closing remark by the TSV President.
- There was also an after-program dance session, where many attendees had a good time dancing and singing with extended TSV family.
We would like to thank for a great Tamu LhoChhar event delivery – event coordinator TSV Secretary Arun K Gurung; MCs Laxman Gurung, Sabina Gurung, Moona Gurung and Merina Gurung; Rajan Gurung, Gam Gurung and Mabi Gurung for management of cultural artists and performances; Mothers Team for managing guests, cultural artists and Raffles; Ashok Gurung and Ram Gurung for looking after the sponsors; Dr Mohan B Gurung for TSV magazine and TSV Life Members; The Kathmandu Cottage for excellent catering, food (momo, choila set, chowmein – $15 each) and drinks, sound/light systems (Thush), photography (Gyanon Shrestha); Milan Gurung for Facebook live broadcasting; Inder Singh Gurung, Gopal Gurung, JB Gurung, Uttam Gurung and other young volunteers for door entry ticketing and information; Dr Parbati Gurung as first aid officer; Dr Mohan Gurung and Ashok Gurung for certificate/voucher/frames; Rajan Gurung and Gopal Gurung for pooja setup; Milan Gurung and Sandeep Gurung (Nepal) flyer/brochure design and promotion; Thakur Gurung as an emergency DJ; Dr Mohan Gurung for slides for projector slideshow and many more TSV volunteers without whom it would have been extremely challenging to organise such a safe, enjoyable and great memorable event.
Please checkout some selected photos of the event at the below gallery (full set on TSV Facebook page).
A podcast by SBS Nepali Radio Service on Tamu LhoChhar 2024 Melbourne event can be found
As always, please feel free to reach out to anyone in the TSV leadership group (Executive, Board, Advisers, Mothers) for any comments/advice. We are always looking for many more volunteers throughout the year to deliver TSV events and activities in better ways.
Thank you
Tamu Samaj Victoria (Australia)