INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE PARAMARIBO

Tuesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd  March 2011              VOCAL MUSIC CLASSES AT IOL
                                                                                           (TEACHER'S TRAINING INSTITUTE)



ICC Vocal music teacher has been taking Indian Vocal Music classes at IOL (Teacher's Training Institute) at the request of Department of Music, University of Suriname every Tuesday and has 12 students in the beginner's course of the Indian Classical Music. The students were taught 10 Alankars, Raag-Bhopali (Aroha, Avroha, Pakad, Swarmalika and its description), the definition of music Laya Saptak, Swar (Shuddh and Vikri), Vadi Samvadi Swaras, name of seven Swaras, definition of Raag Sathai, Antara, Pakad and Sam. After completion of the course, Examination was conducted (Written & Practical) on 22nd March, 2011 at IOL; eleven out of twelve students cleared the exam.



Thursday 3rd March 2011    RANAYAM, MEDITATION & CHANTING SESSION                                                                              
                                       (On occasion on Maha Shivratari)

ICC Yoga Teacher, Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi, conducted a Yoga session at Ramlakhan Mandir, Saramacca on the occasion of Maha Shivratari.  Mr. Ramlakhan, President of the Mandir had request ICC to arrange a session during the pooja time. About 500 devotees (ladies, men and children) attended the session, in which she explained how yoga practise are useful in day to day life.  She also conducted asanas on Pranayam, Meditation and chanting. Ambassador of India Shri KJS Sodhi also attended the event.
 

Sunday 6th March 2011           IN COLLABORATION WITH BRAHMA KUMARI
                                           ON SHIVRATTRI - A CULTURAL PROGRAMME'       

A Cultural programme was organized on the occasion of 'Shivrattri' with the collaboration of Brahma Kumari Mission, Suriname at Yoga hall, Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo. On this occasion, a Kathak dance of Shiva Stuti - Chandrama Lalatpar was performed by the Kathak students of Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo. Some Bhajan songs were also recited by vocal music students of Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo. In his address, Ambassador of India Shri KJS Sodhi appreciated the contribution made by the Brahma Kumari Mission to promote Indian spiritual values. At least 100 people attended the above event. Following are few photographs:



Sunday 6th March 2011        MEETING WITH DIST. COMMISSION  OF NICKERIE COLLABORATION  
   
Director, ICC visited Nickerie on 6th March 2011 and called upon the Dist. Commissioner, Nieuw Nickerie, Mr. Laksmienarain Doebay in his office.  Director discussed about conduct of forthcoming ICC programmes with the District Commissioner.  He also discussed arrangements for the special cultural programme on the occasion of Phagwa/Holi, which was scheduled to be held on 18th March, 2011 in Nickerie.  DC, Nickerie assured all requisite help. Director, ICC also met with the Director, Rasonic TV for telecast of the programme.



Fridays 11th & 25th February 2011    TALK ON AYODHYA KAND RAMAYANA

A talk on Ayodhya Kand Ramayana was delivered by Dr. S.K. Jha, Hindi Teacher ICC. Around 35 students and Pandits attended the programme which included recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, Chaupaiyan's, Ram Bhajans and Dohas, short stories on moral values, etc. The topic of Ram-Bharat Milan at Chitrakoot is currently on; which is the best example of brotherhood in Indian culture. Poetic pronunciations of Shlokas (mantra) were also taught to the students.      



Sunday 13th March 2011       MAHINDER KAPOOR RUNNING TROPHY
                                           (For the year 2011)
                                             (Grand Finale)
                    
Late Shri Mahendra Kapoor, the legendry Indian Singer, during his visit to Suriname in 2002, had announced donating  'Mahendra Kapoor Running Trophy' for promotion of Indian vocal music in Suriname.  It was decided to hold 'Mahendra Kapoor Running Trophy - 2011'.  
The first Indian Music Competition for the award of the Mahendra Kapoor Trophy was successfully organized by the ICC during September - October 2007.
After consultation with local music maestros, the Ambassador of India nominated five local talented prominent singer/instrumental musicians as judges viz., Mr. Julius Fullington, Ms. Indira Ramdien, Mr. Hari Narain Algoe, Mr Krieshen Ramkhelavan and Mr. Surender Pherai. The Head of the Group of Judges was Mr. Fullington, a Creole artist who has good knowledge about Indian music. With a view to promote Indian music in Suriname, at least ten local businessmen sponsored the event in cash as well as in kind for presentation to the winners of the "Mahendra Kapoor Trophy - 2011".
ICC had received 33 entries from all over Suriname, which were divided in two categories i.e. Junior (08 to 20 years) and Senior (21 onwards age limit). The audition round was organized on 19th February, 2011 at 1900 hrs. at Yoga Hall, ICC, a number of local dignitaries, including the local music maestros were present on the audition round.  All the participants took part in the auditions round and the judges selected 17 singers, who then performed in the Grand Finale on 13th March, 2011 at Thalia Theatre.
First lady, wife of Hon'ble President of the Republic of Suriname, Madam Ingrid Bouterse Waldring was the Chief Guest on the occasion.  A number of local eminent personalities in the field of cultural and other organizations head, member of diplomatic corps and distinguished guests were also present and attended the Grand Finale.  The competition was very much appreciated by the audience and the contest was recorded and telecasted in many local TV Channels.  The print media also appreciated the contest. At least 500 audiences were present on the grand finale.
Every participant sang two songs one of Judges Choice and one of their own choices. The Group of Judges selected three winners in each category and performance of the day in each category.  These are as under:-

Senior Level -
Winner                                 Mohammad Fariz Barsatie
1st Runner-Up                             Prabhat Panchoe
2nd Runner-Up                              Deepak Avtar
Performer of the Day               Jagdish Bire

Junior Level -
Winner                                 Avishka Jhinkoe
1st Runner-Up          Neelam Matadin
2nd Runner-Up                              Veresh Oditram
Performer of the Day               Neelam Matadin  

This event was also telecast by a local TV channel.
It was a befitting tribute to Late Shri Mahendra Kapoor.
Following are some photographs: (Print media reports is attached below)




Tuesday 15th March 2011         YOGA LECTURE CUM SESSION

ICC Yoga Teacher Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi conducted a Yoga Lecture-cum-practice session on 15 March, 2011 at ICC Yoga Hall for the senior students on holistic health. During the session, she explained to the participants about the holistic health, physical, mental, social, spiritual health and how it affects life style, attitude and behaviour.   About 80 students participated in the event.




Wednesday 16th February, 2011         INDIAN COOKERY CLASS
                                                (Tofu in Indian style and Indian Roti)

A demonstration of an Indian dish 'Tofu in Indian style and Indian Roti ' was given at the monthly cookery class organized at the Indian Cultural Centre. Around 50 local ladies attended the class and appreciated the preparation. The recipe and method of preparation were explained and after that dish was served to all the invitees.



Thursday 17th March 2011           LECTURE ON HOLI/PHAGWA    

A lecture on Holi/Phagwa has been delivered by ICC Hindi Teacher, Dr. SK Jha, on 17 March, 2011. The event was organised by the Jagran Mandal, Paramairbo, Suriname. In the lecture various mythological and social aspects of Holi/ Phagwa were described. The president of Jagran Samaj appreciated the contribution of Indian Cultural Centre/Embassy of India. More than 50 people attended the programme.  

Friday 18th March 2011                                  TO CELEBRATE PHAGWA AT NICKERIE    

Every year the Indian Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Paramaribo presents a Cultural programme at Nickerie District, Suriname on the occasion of Holi / Phagwa. This year too on 18th March 2011 a special cultural programme (an evening of music & dance) was organized at Nickerie on the eve of Holi / Phagwa. The Nickerie District Administration had made requisite arrangements for the programme viz., hall, decoration, light, sound, boarding & lodging for all the participants and transportation from Paramaribo to Nickerie and back.
 
The programme was organized at CCN, Nickerie. About 35 ICC students of dance, music and instrumental music presented the programme.  ICC Music teacher also gave one performance. Local students of Gayatri Ashram also gave a performance. It was a two hours long programme and about 450 -500 people attended including local eminent personalities.
The programme was supported by local sponsors and local electronic media covered the programme and telecasted it.


Saturday 19th March 2011           MEDITATION SESSION IN COLLABORATION
                                                     WITH JAGRAN MANDAL

ICC Yoga Teacher, Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi, conducted a special meditation session with the collaboration of Jagran Mandal, Paramaribo, Suriname, at the Independence Square, Paramaribo, Suriname for the promotion of yoga.   At least 50 people of participants participated in this programme and it was well appreciated by the participants.  


Sunday 20th March 2011              HOLI MILAN
                                      (On the occasion of Phagwa/Holi)
    

On the occasion of Phagwa/Holi a get together was organized at Embassy residence on 20th March, 2011.  A number of local eminent personalities of Suriname, including Minister of Finance, Madam Wonnie Boedhoe, Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Soewarto Moestadja,  member of the diplomatic corps, local businessmen, and embassy / ICC staff were present on the occasion.  Thirty children from disadvantaged Surinamese families also participated in the celebrations.  The guests joined in dance & music programme. Indian snacks and drinks were also served during the programme. The programme was well appreciated and enjoyed by the participants.  The event was also covered by the paper media. Following are some photographs:



Saturday 26th March 2011             MAHADEVI VERMA - "PARICHARCHA
                                             (On the occasion of her birth anniversary)  
                                             IN COLLABORATION WITH SURINAME HINDI PARISHAD


On the occasion of the birth anniversary of great Hindi poetess Mahadevi Verma a Paricharcha (Discussion) programme named 'Mahadevi Verma Jayanti' was organized at Suriname Hindi Parishad, Paramaribo, Suriname, where her extra ordinary contribution to Hindi language and literature was appreciated. On the occasion, Hindi Teachers and children presented tributes to Mahadevi Varma by reciting her poems.
Some selected books of Mahadevi Verma were also exhibited by Indian Cultural Centre. On this occasion Mr. Jankipersad Singh, ex-president of Suriname Hindi Parishad, shared his memories with Mahadevi Verma and the present president Shri. Bholanath Narayan also delivered a speech quoted the statement of Mahadevi Verma.

The grant offered by the Government of India for promotion of Hindi was also disbursed by the Ambassador of India to Suriname, to local Hindi schools and local Hindi teachers. Following are some photographs and newspaper cutting:


Saturday 26th March 2011                                          MAHENDRA KAPOOR TROPHY -  2011  
                                                                               THANKS GIVING GET TOGETHER (DINNER)

Director, ICC, Shri Sunil Bhalla, hosted a thanks giving get-together for the sponsors, judges, and winners of the Mahindera Kapoor Running Trophy 2011 on 26 March, 2011 at Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo.  The event was attended, among others, by Ambassador of India, Shri K.J.S. Sodhi and Madam Sodhi, DC Nickerie district Shri Laxminarayan Doebay, General Manager, IAMGOLD (one of the main sponsor - The Canadian Gold Mining Company in Suriname) Mr. & Mrs. Paul Korpi, Mr. Rajesh Vyas, Financial Advisor, IAM GOLD, eminent businessman's (sponsors), judges and winners of the competition.  .
Mr. Paul Korpi, GM, I'MGOLD (one of the main sponsor - The Canadian Gold Mining Company in Suriname) also honoured the first and second prize winners of the Mahindra Kapoor Running Trophy 2011 in both (senior and junior) categories and presented them the certificates.



Wednesday 30th March 2011                                     WORKSHOP ON HINDI VARTALAAP'                     
                                                                                              (Daily Conversation)

A workshop on Hindi Vartalaap (Daily Conversation) was organised at Yoga Hall, Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo to promote and improve Hindi conversation. On this occasion, ICC Hindi Teacher, Dr. S.K. Jha, conducted a workshop to exhibit the right manner of speaking Hindi.  Dr. Narayan Datt Gangarampanday, a local Hindi scholar, Shri Avtar Birjanand, Smt. Krishna Bhikharie and Shri Dheeraj Kandhai all linked with local Hindi institutions also presented their  views on the topic.
At least 50 people attended the programme. Following are some photographs and newspaper cutting:




Thursday 31st March 2011                            YOGA LECTURE CUM SESSION - JUNIOR GROUP                                       
                                                                                  (Difference between Asnas & Exercise)

  A Lecture-cum-workshop on Asanas & Exercise was conducted at Indian Cultural Centre, Paramaribo by  ICC Yoga teacher Miss. Suchint Kaur Sodhi for junior students and  practical demonstration were given to teach them various Asanas and exercises. The programme was well appreciated by the students of Yoga. Around 75 students participated in above workshop.



Thursday 31st March 2011                      LECTURE CUM SESSION                                       
 

A Yoga lecture cum Session was conducted at Yoga Niketan Centre, Paramaribo by  ICC Yoga teacher Miss. Suchint Kaur Sodhi, wherein 32 students participated; it is normally organize every last Thursday of the month at Yoga Niketan. In this session various Yoga practices like Kapalbhati, Crocodile variations, Surya Namaskar, Cobra Pose, Vakrasana, Gaumukh Asana, Uttan Manduk Asan and the basic breathing techniques were being taught.


Thursday 31st March 2011                  YOGA SESSION AT DIPLOMATIC LADIES GROUP LUNCH                                       


On the occasion of Diplomatic Ladies Group meeting at the residence of Ambassador of India, the ICC Yoga Teacher, Ms. Suchint Kaur Sodhi, gave a practical presentation on various yoga techniques which was appreciated by everyone.   25 diplomatic ladies attended the session. Following are few photographs: