By Vishnu Bisram
in New York
Thousands of Guyanese yesterday bade farewell in New York to Shri Prakash Gossai, the popular Guyanese bhajan singer and interpreter of the Hindu scriptures.
Pandit Gossai died on Monday morning at a hospital in Miami following a massive heart attack. The mourners came from all walks of life and all faiths.
The funeral was presided over by Pt. Mulchand with Gossai’s son, Varun, performing the last rites. He was assisted by Gossai’s brothers. The eulogy was delivered by Dr. Suresh Narine of IAST who spoke about Gossai’s enduring dedication to humanity, his love for religion and his compassion for others.
Dr. Narine said Gossai created many friends and all had a special relationship with him. “He made everyone feel important. He was loved everywhere he went. He is noted as a great spiritual leader, singer, cultural icon and much more. He is also referred to as a Guyanese patriot… He will be difficult to replace”.
As pandits conducted the final Hindu rites, mourners stood in rapt attention listening to verses being chanted from the holy scriptures. Many mourners in the back of the room tried to catch a glimpse of family members performing the hour-long rituals required for a deceased Hindu. Pandits read mantras continuously from the holy Hindu texts.
Members of Bhuvaneshwar mandir sang appropriate bhajans for the last time for his body petitioning the lord to accept his soul.
When the services were concluded there were loud outbursts of crying from many of those gathered.
A heavy downpour from daybreak until 3 pm did not reduce the size of the crowd at the Grace Funeral Home and at the crematorium in Astoria, some fifteen miles away.
People started lining up in front of the funeral home long before the doors were flung open and at the crematorium to select a prized spot to view his remains and to observe the cremation.
Many people were turned away from the doors of the funeral home as there was no room inside and there was no where to shelter from the pouring rain. People also drove away from the crematorium as there was no parking or even space to walk. Dr. Tara Singh, former UG lecturer, said he had never seen anything like this. “There was just too many people and the organizers simply could not control that size of crowd”.
At the funeral home, people outside complained angrily that they were not being allowed a chance to catch one final glimpse of their religious icon. Several appeals were made to those inside the room to exit to allow others outside to file past the casket.
After an appeal from the funeral directors and family members, mourners left the room where the casket bore the remains.
The thousands waiting outside for hours drenched in the heavy cold rain finally got a quick glimpse of Pandit Gossai for the last time. The cremation was delayed so that people could get to see him and the family could have some privacy to mourn.
The casket was finally closed and taken to a hearse. It was driven past the front of the home of Gossai’s sister at 131 Street where he once lived and then in front of the temple he founded at 81st Street in Ozone Park.
The body was then driven to Astoria some 15 miles away where it was consigned to the flames at approximately 1:30 pm. Here again there was inconsolable grief.
Many said his passing was a great loss. As is the custom there will be twelve nights of wake and prayers at the family’s home, at the temple at 172 Street in Jamaica, and later in the evening at Fairfield Pavilion in Richmond Hill.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud told the gathering at the last rites that President Bharrat Jagdeo asked him to extend his personal condolences to the family and to Guyanese New Yorkers. Persaud said Gossai was a vital force in the Guyanese diaspora and in Guyana itself. “He was not motivated by vanity or fame but the desire to serve others”.
Dr Nanda Gopaul, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President said his friends and supporters were very moved by his passing. “Everyone sat in disbelief as it was a great shock to us. He worked well with colleagues. He has carved a niche among Guyanese throughout the diaspora for interpretation of the Hindu scriptures. No one can do it like him. He simplifies the texts and makes them understandable”.