INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE PARAMARIBO

Thursdays 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, June, 2010        WEEKLY MEDITATION WORKSHOP
At the Weekly Meditation Workshop held on 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th June 2010 basic information about the chakra meditation was taught to the participants as there is curiosity about the chakra and its power and functions in the body. The basic information like location of chakra and colour, number of petals, mantra, yantra and practice of mantra was given. More and more people are interested to learn the chakra meditation and to know how it affects the human mind and body energy. According to Hatha yoga, chakras are the points of psychic powers in the human body. Workshop taught how chakras are related to the five elements and how it does work with human body.


Commemoration of 137 Anniversary of Indian Immigration to Suriname
  The commemoration of 137th Anniversary of Indian Immigration to Suriname was held from 3rd to 6th June, 2010.  In this connection, following events were organized by the Indian Cultural Centre.  

Visit of Rajasthani Folk Troupe
       The ICCR-sponsored 10-members Rajasthani Folk Dance and Music group led by Smt. Gangabai Kamad visited Suriname during 03 - 06 June, 2010.  The performance of the group was the highlight of the commemoration ceremony.  Following activities were held in connection with the visit of Gangabai troupe.

(i)   Thursday 3rd June, 2010    PRESS CONFERENCE           
 The group had an interaction with members of print and audio-visual media at the Press Conference organized by the ICC on 3rd June, 2010. The Press Conference was attended among others by the Ambassador of India, members of Cultural Union Suriname (CUS), members of Suriname International Ladies Association (SILA), members of Organization of Hindu Media & local print media and electronic media. There was a gathering of around 50 peoples. At the press conference the culture troupe was introduced to the media with a small demonstration of some items was also given. The Press Conference was followed by lunch


ii)   3rd June, 2010      A SPECIAL INDIAN COOKERY CLASS  
As a part of celebrations, ICC organized a special Indian Cookery Class on 3rd June, 2010 at 5.00 p.m. at its premises, in which spouses of prominent people of Suriname including Mrs. Erna Hassan Khan, wife of Minister of Home Affairs and Ms. Quintus Bosch (Nani), Ms. Mary Ghafoerkhan, President, (SILA) and other VIP's of Suriname were the distinguished guests. Aaloo Kachuri and Gajar Ka Halwa were the items on demonstration and the items were served to all the invitees. The venue of the special Indian Cookery Class was well decorated. The event was covered by the Electronic Media.



(iii)  3rd June, 2010         HINDOSTANI EXPOSITION - DRISHTI
            
  On the occasion of the 137th year of the Hindostani Immigration an exposition (DRISHTI) was organized from 3rd June to 7th June, 2010 by Mr. Anand Binda, Mr. George Ramjawansingh & Mr. Krishnapersad Khedoe at the Fort Zeelandia. The exhibition was inaugurated by H. E. Ambassador of India, Shri K J S Sodhi and Mr. Stanley Sidoel, Director, Department of Culture and around a hundred twenty five people were there to grace the occasion.


(iv)   Thursday 3rd June, 2010      PERFORMANCE AT DISTRICT SARAMACCA
             First performance of the group was held at Sita Ram Mandir, Sidodadieweg BR4 - Saramacca, Groningen a neighboring District about 40 kms from Paramaribo, on Thursday, 3rd June, 2010 from 2000 hrs to 2145 hrs. Mr. Mahinder Jogi, Member of Parliament and District Commissioner of Saramaca, Ms. Mandranchal Ghisaidubey and member of Cultural Union Suriname (CUS) were the distinguished guests at the performance at Saramacca. There was a gathering of around 650 people at the programme and one and a half hour performance was very much appreciated by the gathering.


(v)   Friday 4th June, 2010      PERFORMANCE AT RAMASHA TV CHANNEL
             The group gave an hour performance at Ramasha TV, a local television on Friday 04, June, 2010 at 11.00 hrs., which was followed by Interviews of the main artists of the group and edited version of the performance was also telecasted through Ramasha TV on 6th June, 2010 it was seen by the large number of Surinamese people and was very much appreciated.

(vi)   Friday 4th June, 2010  PERFORMANCE AT DISTRICT WANICA
          Performance by the group was held at Shanti Bhawan, Welgedacht A Weg, (Santo Boma), tov. Politie Post, Wanica, a neighboring District about 25 kms from Paramaribo, on Friday 4th June, 2010 from 2000 hrs to 2145 hrs. Ambassador of India, Minister of Home Affair, Mr. M. Hussan Khan and Mr. Ranjit Singh, Member of Parliament, members of Cultural Union Suriname (CUS) and member of Organization of Hindu Media (OHM) were among the distinguished guests at the performance at Wanica. There was a gathering of around 1000 people at the programme and the performance was very much appreciated by the gathering. Following are some photographs


(vii)   Saturday 5th June, 2010    WORKSHOP/ INTERACTION AT ICC
            The group had a Workshop/Interaction at Indian Cultural Centre on Saturday, 5th June, 2010, from 1100 hrs to 1230 hrs, which was attended by around 150 ICC students.  During the Workshop the group has performed few items, the leader of the group interacted with ICC students and event was followed by the question / answers session. (The workshop continued for about one and half hours). The light refreshment was also served to the participants.


(viii)   Saturday 5th June, 2010         PERFORMANCE AT SANGEET KI RAAT
The main performance of the group was held on Saturday, 5th June, 2010 at Lallarookh Gebrouw, Lallarookhweg, Paramaribo. H.E. Mr. Maurits Hassankhan, Minister of Home Affairs, Members of Diplomatic corps, Chairman, Cultural Union Suriname, Mr. Asiskumar Gajadien and Ms. Quintus Bosch (Nani), social worker was among the distinguished guests at the performance. There was an audience of more than 1500 people. Programme was enjoyed by everyone and was very well received by the audience as well as by the Print / Electronic Media. (Cutting of the newspaper is placed below).


(ix)   Sunday 6th June, 2010    PERFORMANCE AT SSDP MANDIR

         Fourth performance of the group was held at SSDP Mandir, Blauwgrond, Paramaribo - Noord on Friday, 6th June, 2010 from 1330 hrs to 1500 hrs. The programme was specially organized for the orphan children. There was a gathering of around 1200 people at the programme and one and a half hour performance was very much appreciated by the gathering.


(x)   Sunday 6th June, 2010       PERFORMANCE BABA MAI STATUE
At the function held to garland the statues of Baba and Mai - the first Indian immigrants to Suriname which was presided by H.E. Mr. Maurits Hassankhan, Minister of Home Affairs, there was a  small performance of the group at the statue site on Sunday 06th June, 2010 at 16.00 hrs. . There was an attendance of more than 600 local people and school children at the venue, as a mark of respect. The event was covered by the Print / Electronic Media. Following are some photographs:    


Sunday 6th June, 2010      MOVIE CLUB - BOLLYWOOD MOVIE "RANN"

Under the Indian Movie Club, this month "RANN" was screened at the local air-conditioned Theatre Paarl Movies, Suit, J.A. Pengelstraat, Paramaribo. Around 200 people watched the movie. The movie club has now become very popular among Surinamese people and is a source of family entertainment.

Friday 11th June, 2010            MYTHOLOGICAL LECTURE
To promote Indian culture & moral values, lectures on Indian mythology were organized at ICC Yoga Hall on 11th June 2010 from 1800 to 2000 hrs.  The lectures were delivered by (i) Pt. Mahatabsing Thakur, (ii)  Pandit Wirjanand Avtar and (iii) Shri Narain Dutt Ganga Ram Panday.
A beautiful classical dance performance was also done by Shanita Bhagwandin Vishnu Vandana & Bharatnatyam (Technical). H.E. Ambassador of India Shri KJS Sodhi, many renowned pandits and scholars of Suriname, Hind teachers and students were present on this occasion. The lectures were quite informative and well were appreciated by the audience. Following are some photographs:


Fridays 11th & 25th June, 2010            TALK ON AYODHYA KAND RAMAYANA   

A talk on Ayodhya Kand Ramayana was delivered by Mrs. Sandhya Sharma, Hindi Teacher, ICC. In the beginning recitation of Hanuman Chalisa was also rendered by all students. Meaning of every Chaupayi was explained at the request of students. Two Ram bhajans were taught to the students by Vocal Music Teacher, Smt. Madhumita Bose, ICC. Around 40 students and Pandits attended the programme. Chaupaiyan's, Ram Bhajans and Dohas were also recited by all the participants. Short stories on moral values were narrated to propagate good values.

Saturday 12th to 14th June, 2010  YOGA WORKSHOP AT BARBADOS CONDUCTED
As part of its outreach programme, the Embassy of India, Paramaribo with the approval of ICCR arranged yoga workshops at Barbados for the local people. Mr. Prahlad Singh, Yoga Teacher at the ICC was deputed to conduct workshops.  Three workshops were held at the Dance hall of University of West Indies wherein the local dignitaries, members of the U.S Embassy, Faculty of Medical College and of the University of West Indies were amongst the audience/participants.  Different techniques of Asanas and kriyas were taught and audience liked it very much and requested for a repetition. The workshops were followed by the question / answers session.

Friday 18th June, 2010        INDIAN MUSIC IN RAAGA - BHAIRAVI
A Musical programme on different forms of Indian music in Raag - Bhairavi was conducted on 18th June, 2010 at ICC, by the ICC students. The details of the items were Saraswati Vandana, Swarmalika (in Dugin laya), Sadra (Durga-Stuti), Thumri, Ghazal, Bollywood song and programme ended with a semi-classical song. Different forms of Indian classical music were explained through Power Point Presentation. All the compositions were set to different taals i.e. Rupak (7 beats) Teentaal (16 beats) Jhaptal (10 beats) and Keherwa taal (8 beats). The programme was quite informative and well appreciated by the audience, which was followed by light refreshment. Around 120 people were present to grace the occasion.


Friday 25th June, 2010        HERITAGE OF INDIA (CLASSICAL DANCES OF INDIA)

The ICC organized a programme on Heritage of India (Classical Dances of India) in collaboration with Dept. of Culture on 25 June at CCS auditorium. Mrs. Manjusha Sarvesh Joshi, Kathak Dance Teacher and ICC Kathak students had two hours dance performance. The show was organized in two parts, one part comprised of all 8 classical dances of India, which was presented through power point presentation including video clips of different dance style.  Advance students of Kathak & Bharatnatyam also gave live performances in these categories.
2nd part of the programme focused on the topic of "Impact of Kathak on Bollywood"- the role of classical dances like Kathak in bollywood.  Eleven Dance performances were presented by the ICC students showing different aspects of Kathak like Mughal - Lucknow Gharana, Mythological - Banaras Gharana, Highly technical Tarana - Jaipur Gharana. Nrityanjali dance school and Satrangi Dance School by Mr. Anand Ramcharan and Ms. Sadhana Mohan students have contributed this show by performing three dances.  Thumri was also performed by dance teacher, Mrs. Manjusha S. Joshi depicting all three Gharana in it. The show ends with a fusion item. Around 50 students of dance department have participated in different aspects of Kathak from Beginner, Junior, Senior & advance level.
H.E. Ambassador of India Shri KJS Sodhi, Mr. Stanley Sidoel, Director, Department of Culture, many other distinguished guest of Suriname and dance lover were present on the occasion, which was highly appreciated. The programme was quite informative and well appreciated by the audience. Around 500 people were present to grace the occasion. Local newspaper has also covered the event; cutting of one of the newspaper is placed below



Friday 25th June, 2010     EXAMINATION OF BEGINNERS FOR VOCAL, ICC  STUDENTS

Examination of Beginners of Vocal Music was conducted on 25th June 2010. Twenty-two (22) students took part in it. Theory was oral and of 20 marks.
Practical test was of 30 marks. Total marks = 50. All the students did well in the exam both in theory and practical.
Now they have gone to the junior class. Two students secured 98% marks and the result is satisfactory.

Saturday 26th June, 2010        DANCE WORKSHOP AT MARLENE FOLK DANCE SCHOOL                                                 
        Folkloristic Ensemble Paramaribo is a local dance school teaching folk dances of various countries especially Chinese, African and Indonesian to local students. Keeping in view the increasing popularity of Indian dances, the school had requested ICC to conduct dance workshops. The workshop was taken at Folkloristic Ensemble Paramaribo of Marlene Lie-A-Ling, on 26th June 2010. Teaching of basic steps of Kathak & footwork to the students by Mrs. Manjusha S. Joshi, dance Teacher, ICC, to assist them to choreograph a fusion dance for a further project planned. Around 25 advance class students participated in the workshop, it was well organized


Saturday 26th June, 2010              PROJECTION OF RAMAYANA SERIAL

In order to promote Indian Culture in Suriname a new activity has been started by Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo i.e. projection of famous Hindi Serial of 'Ramayana' by Ramanand Sagar. As the activity the talk on Ramayana is well appreciated by the local people, and recitation of Ramayana Chaupiyan's is very popular among the Hindu community. It is decided by ICC to project this serial on big screen. About one-hour episode was shown and viewers showed keen interest in it. Around 50 students, their parents, local scholars and Pandits were among the audience.  

Sunday 27th June, 2010            HINDI & MUSIC WORKSHOP
A Hindi workshop was organised for the Hindi teachers and students of Toelsi Manas Mandirand Sangh Hindi Pathshalas at Shri Kirshna Mandir commissaris Thurkweg, Commewijne on Sunday 27th June, 2010 from 1000 hrs to 1200 hrs. In the beginning Mr. Mahange, Chairman of Shri Krishna Mandir welcomed all and told about the motive of starting Sangh Hindi Pathsahala at Shri Krishna Mandir. Mr. Jodha, Chairman of Arya Diwakar Mandir, Commewijne, expressed his views on the importance of learning Hindi language.
Mrs. Sandhya Sharma, Hindi Teacher, ICC taught 'varna vivechen' with the help of chart. She also explained some interesting and activity oriented teaching methods to the local Hindi teachers to make their classes lively and effective. She described some methods to prepare teaching aids such as alphabet-cards, charts & class magazine etc. Rhythmic recitation of ten selected Dohas of Kabirdas was also taught to the teachers and students with the help of Music Teacher ICC Smt. Madhumita Bose. Around 55 students Hindi teachers and their parents were present to attend the workshop.
Pt. Naresh Manorath, Hindi teacher of Toelsi Manas Mandir Hindi Pathshala Commewijne gave thanks to Indian Cultural Centre & Embassy of India for organising such workshops, providing Hindi text books, grammar books, organising competitions and for giving monthly and yearly grants to Hindi Teachers and schools in Suriname. Some Hindi writing poetry books and charts were given to the local teachers by ICC.
A Music workshop was also organised along with Hindi workshop. Two Bhajans were taught to the students and copy of the same distributed among them. The definition of 'Swar' and types of 'Swaras' were discussed in the workshop. Following are some photographs:


Tuesday 29 June, 2010       MANDUKYA UPANISHAD
The last class of Upanishad was conducted at residence of Shalini Ramautar. Director, ICC and 30 disciples of Upanishad class were also present. Mandukya Upanishad is the shortest of the Upanishads and is in prose, consisting of twelve verses expounding the mystic syllable Aum, the three psychological states of waking, dreaming and sleeping, and the transcendent fourth state of illumination. The concepts of Om and Hiranyagarbha, Jagrat, Swapna and Susupti Avastha were explained along with their relation to the body and nature. One who learns this can go for the Turiyatetta Awastha, which is highest in the meditation in yoga also. In continuation, the chanting of Om with relation to human body and Nature was also taught. The practical part of the above was also taught to the disciples.