Our events encompass our dreams and desires as well as our goals, our talents, and our determination to rule our appearance, vitality, and the image of ourselves that we wish to project to the world along with a special message from the Founder/Chairman of SMAP Foundation Vijay Patil, and the President of SMAP-LA, Ms. Vasundhara Pawar, and our brilliant team of 4 years, Vilas Jadhav (Past President), Ashok Madan (Sr. VP & Sr. Advisor), Aparna Hande (EVP), Bharat Saoji (EVP), Ashutosh Khisti (VP), and Shailesh Shetye (VP). Once we have succeeded in that completion and likely yield, superb results through accolades from our audience, our guests, and well-wishers, it leaves us fulfilled in a way you rarely imagine.
Shivaji Maharaj Antarashtriya Parivar and SMAP Foundation, brought about Unity, Leadership, charisma, and competence to the stage on March 12, 2022, at the Woodrow Wilson High School Auditorium, in Long Beach, California reminding us of our great Indian heroes and their special qualities which we can emulate in our day to day lives.
This Community Unity & Leadership celebration uniting all our Indian Cultures, with an objective of honoring the forgotten Indian National Heroes, men as well as women, along with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a brilliant concept that indelibly stuck in the minds of all of us. SMAP Foundation is proud to state that within 4 years, they successfully opened over twenty chapters throughout the World with nine in the United States spreading the knowledge and information about our heroes leading even to the endorsement, honor, and recognition from our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What an Honor!!!!
The opening of the show began outdoors, with the procession of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with the powerful mind-blowing offerings of the Dhol, Tasha, Lezim, and Palakhi, a traditional Maharashtra presentation by Sonali Bhave and Sandeep Katre and their talented 50 plus performers all traditionally dressed.
Then Indoors on stage, the show continued with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and through Dance, Drama, Musical theme, our well-renowned choreographers Dr. Sinduri and Vinaini Jayasinghe, Paulomi Pandit, Tripti Gorajia, writer, Kamlesh Chauhan, brought about the valor, intelligence, bravery, and strength of our fallen heroes, enough to arouse curiosity in the minds of our younger generation. This included a Youth Presentation by Anika Patil and her team, and a Bollywood dance by Vyom Mathrani, as a tribute to our heroes, Ahilyabai Holkar, Savitribai Phule, Krishna Deva Raya, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad, Prithviraj Chauhan, Jhansi Ki Rani Laxmibai. Maharana Pratap, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Our 75 plus group
dancers were breathtaking to watch, along with their traditional colorful costumes, covering Garba Dance, Ghoomar, Folk Dance, Bangara, Bollywood, and the monologue.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and passion of our choreographers, our presenters, and our Emcee Saurabh Kikani, who transformed our vision into reality. The history and reminder of these fallen heroes, and slides, could not have been published throughout the world without the teamwork along with our participants, who brought the rhythm and music, and dance to represent each of the heroes from various regions of India. Abundance of thanks to our choreographers, our actors, and our presenters, Ramesh Thalli, Surekha Modi, Yatri Shukla, Nila Parikh, and Mira Gadasalli, for putting in their time and efforts and their hearts into these presentations and bringing outstanding success to the
Shivaji Maharaj Antarashtriya Parivar (SMAP) Event.
Special thanks to the behind-screen 40 committee members, volunteers, who managed so many aspects of the show, all the way, from the reception desk to backstage management, projection, the parking, transportation, food, ticketing, and our sponsors who make this happen for us.