INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE PARAMARIBO

8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th May, 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. Four workshops were taken at Folkloristic Ensemble Paramaribo of Marlene Lie-A-Ling, on 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th May 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.


2nd May, 2010  MOVIE CLUB - BOLLYWOOD MOVIE "GADAR - EK PREM KATHA"
Under the Indian Movie Club, this month "GADAR - EK PREM KATHA" 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 source of family entertainment among the people of  Suriname.  

5th, 8th, 12th, 19th & 26th May, 2010 WEEKLY MEDITATION WORKSHOP
Basic information about the chakra meditation was taught to the participants, there is a     curiosity to know 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. People are more interested to learn the chakra meditation and also want to know how it affects the human mind and body energy. According to Hatha yoga they are the point of psychic powers in the human body. How chakras are related to the five elements and how it does work with human body, so the relation between five natural elements and constitution of body (human body also made-up of the five elements) were taught.


8th May, 2010   CHAKRA MEDITATION WORKSHOP AT TEMPLE INDIRA GANDHIWEG
           In this work shop the introduction, place, colour, mantra, yantra and how to focus and concentrate methods were taught. The workshop was interactive and received a good response from the audience. They were very curious to know how the blockage in chakra can affect the human body functions and how can we unblock the chakras.

8th May, 2010     KAVYA GOSHTI/ MOTHER'S DAY/ GURUDEV RABINDRANATH TAGORE BIRTHDAY
To commemorate the 149th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, a  Kavya Goshti was organized on 8th May 2010 from 1800 hrs. to 2000 hrs. at ICC Yoga Hall. In Kavya Goshti some renowned and few upcoming poets & poetess of Suriname recited some self written and other famous poems in Hindi & Dutch. Smt. Krishna Km. Bhikharie, Hindi Student gave a brief speech on the life and literature of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore. Since it was coincided with Mother's Day, which is very popular among local population, some beautiful poems and speeches on Motherhood were also presented on the occasion. On this occasion 33 Hindi Students were also awarded with prizes & passing certificates (of Hindi exams held on 31st January, 2010 by Suriname Hindi Parishad) by H.E. Ambassador of India, Shri KJS Sodhi, his wife Mrs. Manjeet Sodhi, Pt. Harridew Sahtoe, President Sahitya Mitra Sanstha & Shri Soerdjan Parohi, famous Sarnami and Hindi Writer of Suriname. A short cultural programme was also presented by Vocal Music, Dance, Tabla & Hindi Students of ICC. Around 200 people were present on this occasion. The programme was well appreciated by the audience.  


12th May, 2010    INDIAN SAREE DRAPING DEMONSTRATION
        An Indian Saree Draping Demonstration workshop was organised by ladies activity Club on 12th May 2010 at ICC, to promote Indian costumes. Over 27% of the Surinamese population is of Indian origin, and they like to wear traditional Indian dresses such as sarees during marriages, Indian festivals and other social gatherings. On request of some ladies various styles of sarees draping from Indian States of U.P., West Bengal, Gujarat etc. were demonstrated to an audience nearly 40 women. Mrs. Manjeet Sodhi, wife of H.E. Ambassador of India also graced the occasion. The workshop was well appreciated by the participants


12th May, 2010 STRESS MANAGEMENT WORK SHOP FOR THE SURINAME COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
All students of the Suriname College of Hospitality and Tourism underwent the stress management course before attending the final examination of the academic year. The breathing techniques, methods of Pranayama and meditation were taught to them. They have been regular for the past three years for the same and are highly dedicated towards Yoga practise, they did very well in the last academic year because they were able to manage the examination stress and able to study well.  



14th & 28th May, 2010            TALK ON AYODHIA KAND RAMAYANA   
A talk on Ayodhyia Kand Ramayana was delivered by Mrs. Sandhya Sharma, Hindi Teacher, ICC. In the beginning there was recitation of Hanuman Chalisa by students. Meaning of every Chaupayi was explained on request of students. Two Ram bhajans were taught to the students by Vocal Music Teacher, Smt. Madhumita Bose, ICC. Around 40 students and others  attended the programme. Chaupaiyan's, Ram Bhajans and Doha's were also recited by all the participants. Short stories on moral values were narrated to propagate good values


14th May, 2010     'COSTUME AND MAKE UP WORKSHOP FOR DANCE '
In order to prepare the Kathak students for stage performance, a costume & make up workshop was conducted by Mrs. Manjusha Sarvesh Joshi, Kathak Dance Teacher, ICC on 14th May, 2010. The students were taught how to wear the different styles of Dupatta (shawl) and apply proper make up according to different type of dances. As one of the basic aspects of a dancer is make up. It will help the students especially while performing different dance style on stage. Around 30 students participated to learn skill of make up.


14th May, 2010                         'BAITHAK GANA '
A Vocal Music Programme on Baithak Gana was organized on 14th May, 2010 in which Vocal Music Students and some renowned artists of Suriname participated. The ICC students performed in a professional style. Dhrupad, Bhajan, Lawani and Langri were performed which were based on different ragas like Mishra Kafi, Mishra Khamaj, Bhairavi and Pilu and were set in Dadra, Keherwa and Teentaal. Different patterns of Taals were played with the artists while singing. The padas of Surdas, Kabir das and Meerabai were sung in Baithak Gana which was very attractive and melodious. Around 100 people were present to grace the occasion.


16th May, 2010                         HINDI WORKSHOP
A workshop for local Hindi Teachers was organized at ICC Yoga Hall on 16th May 2010 from 1000 hrs. to 1200 hrs. by Mrs. Sandhya Sharma, Hindi Teacher, ICC. About 50 Hindi Teachers from five districts of Suriname, i.e. Commewijne, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Nickerie & Wanica attended the workshop. A detailed grammar lesson was taught on topic ' Vachya  '. Some new techniques were introduced to make Hindi teaching easy, effective and activity based. Rhythmic recitation of Doha's was also taught to local Hindi Teachers, so that they can introduce it in their ' Pathshalas '. Some printed material helpful in Grammar Teaching was also distributed to the teachers. Mr. Dhiradj Kandhai, a member of examination committee of Suriname Hindi Parishad told about some general mistakes done by students in last examination held in January 2010. Mrs. Sandhya Sharma, Hindi Teacher, ICC, briefed some techniques to overcome those mistakes. Mr. Sunil Bhalla, Director, ICC, distributed some grammar books to local Hindi teachers. The workshop was very much appreciated by all Hindi teachers. Doha's of Kabir were recited in tune as well as Ram Bhajan was taught to Hindi Teachers by Mrs. Madhumita Bose, Vocal Music Teacher, ICC.


17th May, 2010      Lecture on Sahaja Yoga by Dulci Oudsten (Holland)
            A lecture on Sahaja Yoga was organized on Monday, 17th May, 2010 at Indian Cultural Centre, Yoga Hall. Interested audience of Sahaja Yoga and local invitees of the ICC were among those present.
           Mrs. Dulcy Oudsten and her Husband Mr. Tom Hendriks gave lecture on Sahaja Yoga in Dutch along with power point presentation. After the conclusion of the question-answer session, positive reactions were received from the audience who seemed to have enjoyed the topic. Light refreshment was also served to the audience.  


19th May, 2010      Flavours of India Different Types of  Drinks (Mango Shekh/Lassi/Nibupani)
            Different type of drinks were prepared and demonstrated at the monthly cookery class organized at the Indian Cultural Centre. Around 50 local ladies attended the class and it was appreciated. Mango Shake, Lassi and Nibupani were the items on demonstration. Preparation method and recipe of the items were explained by the Embassy and ICC women   and after that served to all the invitees.


20th May, 2010                   STUDENTS MEET
To encourage the new students to perform on stage of all the five classes of ICC viz. Hindi Language, Yoga, Vocal Music, Tabla and Kathak dance. A Student Meet is organised at ICC on 20th May 2010 from 1800 hrs. to 2030 hrs. The idea is also to search for new talent among the ICC students. Moreover students could have an overall view of the activities being held at ICC. Junior, Senior and Bhajan class students of Vocal Music took part in the programme. Junior performed Raag Desh, senior performed Raag - Vrindavani Sarang Bandish followed by Alap and Taan and Bhajan was performed by Bhajan class students which was attractive and melodious. Live Kathak sequence consisting of Vilambit Madhya (Drut Laya) footwork. Amad, Tukras, Paran, Tihai & Kavitt. Ending with a fast footwork (Ladi) giving the whole pattern of performing Kathak. Tabla students Paras Daryanani accompanied the Beginners Group of Kathak dance in Students Meet. Some Hindi students presented beautiful poems, speeches and bhajans on this occasion. The department of Yoga has participated in above said. The three Beginner students have demonstrated several Asanas which was well appreciated by the audience and inspired them to enquire about Yoga. Few of them taken admission to practice Yoga classes. We feel this kind of programmes are informative and to know more about other disciplines at ICC. More than 50 new ICC students participated in the various programmes of student's day. Following are some photographs:



21st May, 2010  Lecture on the Teachings of Bruno Groening by Gerda En Hub Hawinkels
                       In collaboration with Organisatie Hindoe Media (OHM), a lecture on the teachings of Bruno Groening was organized on Friday, 21st May, 2010 at Yoga Hall, ICC.  Mr. Bhagwan Gangaram Panday, Mr. Amriet Gangaram Panday and local invitees of the ICC were among those present.
 The lecture for help and healing the spirituals way trough the teaching of Bruno Groening conducted by Mr. Gerda En Hub Hawinkels in Dutch with power point presentation, which was very well appreciated by the gathering of around 70 people, which was followed by the light refreshment.   


22nd May, 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 telecast this serial on big screen. About one-hour episode was telecasted and viewers showed keen interest in it. Around 50 students, their parents, local scholars and pandits were among the audience.


28th May, 2010              SPECIAL COOKERY CLASS -  ' SURINAME ROTI '
Suriname Roti (Paratha, Dalbari & Alubari) and Alu Sem Ki Sabzi was prepared and demonstrated by the local ladies on the request of Mrs. Sodhi, wife of Ambassador at special cookery class was organized at the Indian Cultural Centre. Around 40 ladies attended and followed the demonstration enthusiastically.