Kindermusik by Samantha Sicorez

"When are we going to see my Musical Family again ?" asks my 3 year old.

We just finished a Kindermusik session at 360 Gymnastics, led by Samantha Sicorez. Each session had the kids enchanted, trying out different musical instruments and enjoying every minute of the class. They hopped and walked and ran and rolled, they jumped and pulled and pushed. They tried out a variety of physical activities, all the time following the melodious voice of their teacher. I must say, at the end of the session, she acquired quite a fan club !

It is not always that one chances upon a music teacher who is not only very talented but is very interested in every response from the kids. She has a genuine love for interaction with children and brought out their musical abilities splendidly! Her zeal is infectious, her methods to draw each child out and transform them into active participants are quite successful and I was not surprised to know that she has a double degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Arohan loved dancing with flashlights, drawing on papered walls and most importantly the Spiderman sticker at the end of the class. Needless to say, we are looking forward to another Kindermusik session with her.


More at 360-Gymnastics

Mass Audubon Drumlin Camp - Very Impressive !

2 weeks before the camp I received a call on my mobile and on my home phone, as well as an email reminding me that I have not yet submitted the information packet for my daughter's Farm Mania Camp. Of course, I had received the packet a couple of months back and in our truly crazy fashion, would have filled it out the night before the first day and handed it to a distracted counseler who would look harassed before anything had even started.

But this was not to be so, I was warned of a deadline and I *had* to fill out everything a week ahead (that is record breaking!) and Dad even delivered it on time ! The information packet was extremely detailed with what to bring, what to expect, questions about how to soothe your child if he/she is hurt. To top it all, there is even a website where you can view pictures taken each day of the week !

Everything about the camp was great and I fear I may make this an increasingly long post if I keep on writing. Starting from having dropoff/pickup stations (Shaggy Sheep, Tickled Turkeys and so on), asking for id for *every* pickup, not just the first day, having detailed report of any accidents - Aishani tripped on a root and scraped her knee-, to oranizing the days in a very well structured pattern - Monday was Cow Day, Tuesday was Chicken and so on, it was just so much fun along with being educational for the kids. The kids even made a theme appropriate snack everyday - butter from cream on Cow Day, oats and sugar mix on Horse Day and so on.

This was our first time and we are sure to come back next year. We liked it that the farm was closed to general public during camp hours. Apart from the program structure and execution, we found that that the counselers themselves were very passionate about what they were doing, they really seemed to like working with kids and enjoying it too!

I give it 5 stars, it has been a wonderful experience for my daughter and we as parents were impressed by the camp. To top it all, the week after the camp we received a detailed "Lost and Found" list email. Miraculously none of the items were ours but we are used to losing water bottles and bags in camps and never finding them ! And yes, I do label everything, in fact I highly recommend "Mabels Labels", but again, I digress.

Camp Timings-M-F 9am-3pm-Would have liked an extra hour

Camp After-Care - Available until 5.45 - did not sign up

Counselers - Excellent

Camp Content - Excellent

Camp dropoff/pickUp - Very Good

Camp Parking-Good-Better once you have figured it out 

Camp Cost - Members-$330 Non-Members-$430

Check out more at the Drumlin Farms official website.

The Art of Selecting Summer Camps!

To be or Not to be! The latest ongoing topic in our home has been regarding the crucial decisions as to which summer camps will my daughter be attending this year. The criteria, unfortunately is not simply "what will she learn" or "what knowledge will be imparted (no predictions on what will be absorbed, of course), but most importantly the questions which are no less important are " who will drop her off, and (unavoidably), who will pick her up ?" , " Is there after care ?" What happens if we are 15 minutes late ?", " Are there any adult camp counselors or is it mostly CITs ?" and so on . Either ways, we managed to make our enrollments and the following camps were chosen.

There has been an attempt to plan a well balanced variety of activities, but the months to come will speak of how successful each one is. I was oblivious to the "world of camps" until now, and it is amazing how difficult it is to find sites where detailed information about local camps are easily available. In my attempt to document my research in this all important subject, I have listed out her camps as well as their websites for parents looking for more information. I will, in the weeks to come - rate each camp based on our experiences as parents as well as their "fun scale" rating from my daughter.

Drumlin Farms www.massaudubon.org/drumlinfarm

Home Cooking www.littletonrec.com

Chess Camp comed.ab.mec.edu

Club Invention www.invent.org

Discovery Museums discoverymuseums.org

Performing Arts www.littletonrec.com

Museum of Fine Arts www.mfa.org

Sky Hawks All Sports www.skyhawks.com

Little Gym www.tlglittletonma.com

Alpona - Ancient Art in Modern Times

One of India’s most creative expressions of creative art is Alpona. Traditionally these drawings were made in front of doorways and in courtyards during auspicious occasions to drive away the influence of evil and welcome peace, wealth, health and ever lasting happiness

The original medium used for this art is a paste of ground raw rice. A cotton ball or a piece of cloth is used and dipped into this paste to make the beautiful designs. Being white, they were most prominent on mud floors.

Nowadays different types of medium are used on a variety of different types of surfaces. This graceful art can be done using acrylic paints, chalk, markers etc. Initially it was expected that alpona would always be white but now artists are experimenting with different colors and designs. This inspiring art can be also be done with flowers or the rich colors of a variety of grains - dals, rice and other beans are used to make elaborate patterns.

The art of Alpona is not just a part of the culture and art of Bengal, it has a special and traditional place in every important event in the household. From annaprashans to weddings, in pujas and rituals, the Alpona is considered auspicious and lucky .

It is prevalent in all parts of India, but with variations in the technique of the drawing as well as the traditional mediums used. The essential essence of the art is the same, it is believed to welcome peace, good health and prosperity as well as ward off evil influences.

The myriad terms used are Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh and Kolam in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Muggu in Andhra Pradesh.

The designs are symbolic and common to the entire country, and can include geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles; the lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints (supposed to be of goddess Lakshmi), creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals and figures. These motifs often are modified to fit in with the local images and rhythms.

The basis of the word 'Alpana' has two different versions. As per one version, it originated from the Sanskrit word 'Alimpana', meaning 'to plaster with' or 'to coat with'. The other version traces its roots to the word 'Alipana', meaning the art of making walls or embankments. This art is also related to the intricate Mandalas in Buddhism.

Immersed in ancient practices and reaching modern heights, Alpona is today an integral part of Indian culture.

Alpona with Flowers

Alpona with Grains & Beans

In the Convent of Little Flowers

Author: Indu Sundaresan
Published: December 2008
Previous Books: The Splendor of Silence, The Twentieth Wife, The Feast of Roses


Short Stories:

Shelter of Rain
Three and a Half Seconds
The Faithful Wife
Fire
The Most Unwanted
The Key Club
Bedside Dreams
The Chosen One
Hunger


The book evokes a myriad of emotions. The stories jump up and enact, so powerful as well as delicate are the descriptions of the characters and the incidents.

"In the Convent of Little Flowers" took my breath away ! Not just because it dealt with issues and happenings that are shocking as well as familiar, modern as well as ancient, but also because it forced me to stare at different faces of our culture that I would outright deny, that I would immediately disclaim. Then there were some, that were new and refreshing and comforted me of goodness somewhere.

There are 9 short stories and each story has its own unique essence. They touch many different aspects of human life ranging from Adoption to Family Physical Abuse, from Teen Pregnancy to Swingers to Lesbianism. Needless to say, it is a very modern book which has delicately blended these issues and its effects have been combined with the age-old traditions and beliefs of India. In the "Afterword", Indu Sundaresan has mentioned that most of her stories are based on real-life incidents, a grain of truth around which she has weaved her magic. That makes this book all the more compelling.

It is difficult to say which one I like best, since they are so different from each other making each one unique and incomparable. But if I was compelled to choose, my favorite would be "The Most Unwanted". In one stroke the author has shown us the emotions of a young girl coming of age, the stoic and dependable love of a mother, the tenderness of a baby and most important the triumph of a father's love for his daughter in the face of public and social ostracism. It is a beautiful story, so well written I can see the characters enact before me.

The other short stories are no less heartrending. The only thing that I must mention that perplexed me was the fact that there is no "Index" in the book. Is there a specific reason why this has been omitted ? I like to browse through the names and select what I want to read. I definitely miss that in a book. It is a very minor thing, but it makes it difficult for me to go to a story right away as I have to browse through the book to find my way there.

At the end, I highly recommend this book. It is a book worth owning (which is quite rare in these times), an asset to the book readers collection, one will savor it again and again. It is different, it is intriguing, it is guaranteed to make you ponder...... a must read.

Drawbridge Puppet Theater

Sleeping Beauty - proclaimed my daughter. That was the puppet show that she wanted to be staged when she called a few of her friends to yet another celebration of her 5th birthday. We have attended shows at the Drawbridge Puppet Theater earlier - Pinnochio and Red Riding Hood and have come away smiling and in awe. The shows are simply wonderful. Marionettes, Shadow puppets, Hand puppets - a medley of techniques used to create an enchanted hour.

But let us talk about the Sleeping Beauty Show itself. It was done so dramatically, and so interactively, the kids loved it and I suspect the adults were quite a bit mesmerized ! The fairy godmothers glided in and out and there was appropriate thunder and lightning with the appearance of the evil witch. There were some entertaining improvisations which included "You've got mail" announcements from the witch's crystal ball. It was quite impressive to see the marionettes face move along with the appropriate words - obviously ventriloquism was involved. The Princess herself was dressed beautifully and the Prince no less handsome. The dragon was stupendous and may have actually stolen the show.....The kids especially loved the backstage tour where they saw the puppets lined up to present their lines.


But that's not all. The hospitality of Paul and Dale were unsurpassed. They were so helpful with every little thing, it was almost like having a party at home - without cleanup involved! We are indeed thankful to them for such a smooth yet fun party hosting experience. Not to forget the food, other than hors d'oeuvres and other tidbits that we got from home, pizza was ordered from Center Pizza from across the street. I was a bit peeved by a "delivery charge" but the pizzas were humongous (32 slices each) and simply cheesy and delicious. The Theater also has a very cute gift shop where puppets of all shapes and sizes are available at extremely reasonable prizes. The kids picked some finger puppets to practice at home.

I do recommend all who are even a bit interested in taking their kids (or themselves) to a puppet show to try out this authentic old-style theater that produces some very entertaining shows.

http://www.drawbridgepuppets.com/

Where the mind is without fear .....

This day in 1947, India gained her independence from more than 300 years of British Rule. Also on this day, the subcontinent was divided into 2 countries on a religious basis, and 8 million people had to leave their homes and relocate. It was day to rejoice but unfortunately freedom came at a price that summer in 1947.

Today, after so many years it is still a day to realize how lucky we are to be free, makers of our own destiny to be a sovereign democratic people. But it is also a day to look deeply ourselves and consider our achievements. Of what we could be. Of what we are capable of. Are we today what was dreamt by those selfless people so many decades ago, giving their lives for a free India, for a free world ? Their hopes to gift their children a world where they can walk with heads held high ?

Freedom is just not about an external entity, it is also freedom of our minds, freedom from within ............

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow
domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the
dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought
and action--
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

-- Rabindranath Tagore (Gitanjali)

*****

Original in Bangla

Chitta jetha bhoyshunyo, Uchcha jetha shir
Gyan jetha mukto, jetha griher prachir
Apan prangantoley dibash sharbari
Basudharey rakhey nai khondo khudro kori
Jetha bakya hridayer utshomukh hotey
Uchchhashia uthey, jetha nirbarito srotey
deshey deshey dishey dishey kormodhara dhaay
ojosro shohosrobidho choritarthotaay
Jetha tuchchho acharer morubalurashi
Bicharer srotophol pheleynai grashi
Pourusherey oreni shotodha, Nityo jetha
tumi shorbo kormo chinta anander neta
Nijo hostey nirdoy aghaat kori, Pito,
Bharaterey shei shorgey koro jagroto .