Saturday, July 31, 2010
Shrek the Ogre @Lady Aandal School for Nalandaway's AAA 2010
And, finally a drama that looked childish and tailor-made for kids! After seeing all the superlative and mature performances of "kids" at Art, Arattai, Aarpattam of Nalandaway's annual fest, the musical drama of "Shrek - the green Ogre" was childish.
The queen Fiona, heroine of the play, wears a nose ring. Actors run around on stage to hide behind the sets. Mikes hang from the ceiling. And the giant green Ogre confuses you - is he funny or generous, you never know.
Nevertheless, the makeup for the artists was very good. And the voice of the actors vibrate for the western songs. The sets were colorful and stunning. Shrek the Green Ogre, is a nice show for children!
The queen Fiona, heroine of the play, wears a nose ring. Actors run around on stage to hide behind the sets. Mikes hang from the ceiling. And the giant green Ogre confuses you - is he funny or generous, you never know.
Nevertheless, the makeup for the artists was very good. And the voice of the actors vibrate for the western songs. The sets were colorful and stunning. Shrek the Green Ogre, is a nice show for children!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Vijay Super Singers Junior - Live for AAA 2010
Nalandaway today staged a live and mesmerizing performance by Star Vijay Super Singers Juniors for Art, Arattai, Aarpattam. The five singers Alka, Sharavan, Roshan, Karthik, and Priyanka, were the stars of the Vijay TV show that concluded a few weeks back.
The show started with a bang when the singers sang "Puthum Puthu Bhoomi Vendum".
Next came Shrikanth, the small wonder, not from the stage, but from the audience dressed as MGR. He sang "Pudhiya Vaanam" and made a quick impact. Shrikanth will be gifted a house soon, as he was the most popular singer of the TV show even though he did not win.
Its no wonder Alka won the Super Singers contest and a house too. She sang "Singara Velane"(carnatic), "Allegra" (pop), and "Unnai Kanadha Kanum Kanalla" (Susila melody) with equal elan and style, changing her voice to suit the different songs.
Wow, Roshan's voice suited the song "Udhaya, Udhaya" to the -T-. His voice is melodious and almost girlish now. He does not know how his voice will sound after it "breaks" !
Shravan sang the most difficult carnatic number - "Oru naal podhuma" and the dance number "Something, Something Magic Something" with equal ease. Shravan has got only his car keys and is yet to get his car. Anyways, he has no driving license!
Priyanka's voice was sweet and she sang "Nallai intha vellai parthu", a duet, and Allegra with Alka.
Wow, a wonderful and breezy evening it surely was!
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| The Stage Background |
The show started with a bang when the singers sang "Puthum Puthu Bhoomi Vendum".
 |
| From Left: Shravan,Alka, Priyanka, and Roshan singing Putham Pudhu Bhoomi song |
Next came Shrikanth, the small wonder, not from the stage, but from the audience dressed as MGR. He sang "Pudhiya Vaanam" and made a quick impact. Shrikanth will be gifted a house soon, as he was the most popular singer of the TV show even though he did not win.
 | |
| Shrikanth emerging from the audience |
 |
| Srikanth sings "Paatum Naane Bhavamum Naane" |
 |
| Alka sings "Singara Vellane" |
Wow, Roshan's voice suited the song "Udhaya, Udhaya" to the -T-. His voice is melodious and almost girlish now. He does not know how his voice will sound after it "breaks" !
 | ||
| Roshan -perfect rendering of Udhaya Udhaya song |
Shravan sang the most difficult carnatic number - "Oru naal podhuma" and the dance number "Something, Something Magic Something" with equal ease. Shravan has got only his car keys and is yet to get his car. Anyways, he has no driving license!
 |
| Shravan performs "Something, Something" along with dancers |
Priyanka's voice was sweet and she sang "Nallai intha vellai parthu", a duet, and Allegra with Alka.
 |
| Priyanka and Drummers |
Wow, a wonderful and breezy evening it surely was!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Tale Of Haruk - A Korean Musical - AAA 2010
Nalandaway continues to enthrall Chennai kids with their cultural fest Art, Arattai, Aarpattam 2010. Today(July 24th), at the Subba Rao Concert Hall, a Korean theater group Tuido, performed the Tale of Haruk for the first time in India.
The background music for the musical came from creative sources! The dancers used empty bottles, old water cans, sellotape, and sticks to produce wonderful sounds and even the screens act! It's no wonder that the play won several awards at the 2002 Seoul Children Theatre awards.
The Tale of Haruk is an interesting story. An elderly couple are very lonely. The old man reads an outdated newspaper and the old lady knits and unknits.So, they pray to a tree god and the tree blesses them with a kid Haruk. But the couples must feed Haruk only with dew and no other food. So, the couple gets up early in the morning to collect dew drops for Haruk.
However, one day Haruk demands other food items as he is fed up of dew. So, his parents feed him a rice cake. The tree god is angry with Haruk and his parents for they broke a promise. So, Haruk is now permanently hungry and devours whatever he can find to eat. Eventually, Haruk becomes as big as the mountains and his tears start flowing like river. Haruk's parents become like dwarfs when compared to his size. The parents continually fight with each other and argue about who fed Haruk the rice cake. They again become lonely and sad.
The audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the Korean musical of Haruk!
The background music for the musical came from creative sources! The dancers used empty bottles, old water cans, sellotape, and sticks to produce wonderful sounds and even the screens act! It's no wonder that the play won several awards at the 2002 Seoul Children Theatre awards.
The Tale of Haruk is an interesting story. An elderly couple are very lonely. The old man reads an outdated newspaper and the old lady knits and unknits.So, they pray to a tree god and the tree blesses them with a kid Haruk. But the couples must feed Haruk only with dew and no other food. So, the couple gets up early in the morning to collect dew drops for Haruk.
The audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the Korean musical of Haruk!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Good Old Days Of Note Taking!
Now, it is just Blogs, Bookmarks, and Facebook walls! However, old methods of note taking exist!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Fasting Due To Lack Of Toilets - Eves in Turmoil
"...Studies have documented how women choose to eat less and specific times to avoid having to go to the toilet during daylight hours. In the absence of toilets, they have to use fields and this they can do after dark or early in the morning. As a result, they are forced to control their intake of food resulting in many forms of under-nutrition andanaemia."
"For young girls, the problem is even more acute, particularly after they cross puberty. Women and young girls also limit the amount of water they drink for the same reasons".
The Hindu article starts with an observation on Gujarat; But a girl in the Eastside Story group quips "We are very familiar with this. Not that we can't afford the food, our fathers do definitely earn that much. But there is no safe and decent toilet in our school. So we don't drink water and eat very little".
Sriram of Nalandaway brought up this issue to the head of the district's public health programme and the head behaved as if all this was news to him. May be he never knew about this.
Well... our papers are busy having page 3 in all pages and news channels are busy discussing 'costume-malfunction' on prime time. More the justification for "Eastside Story" and the need to hear from children.
- Source - Nalandaway Blog
"For young girls, the problem is even more acute, particularly after they cross puberty. Women and young girls also limit the amount of water they drink for the same reasons".
The Hindu article starts with an observation on Gujarat; But a girl in the Eastside Story group quips "We are very familiar with this. Not that we can't afford the food, our fathers do definitely earn that much. But there is no safe and decent toilet in our school. So we don't drink water and eat very little".
Sriram of Nalandaway brought up this issue to the head of the district's public health programme and the head behaved as if all this was news to him. May be he never knew about this.
Well... our papers are busy having page 3 in all pages and news channels are busy discussing 'costume-malfunction' on prime time. More the justification for "Eastside Story" and the need to hear from children.
- Source - Nalandaway Blog
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Acceptance: From Service Dog To Fund-Raising Dog
Each person who watches the above video finds an individual message that touches them on many levels, & brings them to tears. It’s about acceptance, adjusting expectations, & focusing on the “can do’s” in life which allows for a celebration of amazing outcomes. This is Surf dog Ricochet’s journey from birth, to service dog training, to dog surfing, to surfing tandem with quadriplegic surfer, Patrick Ivison, to fundraising for charitable causes. She has raised over $30,000 in the last 8 months. She is currently leading a fundraiser for homeless animals. For more info on Ricochet, dog surfing, and her charitable causes, please go to www.surfdogricochet.com
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Hey, A Black Ring Around the Sun!
Water molecules around the Sun, give an image of a black ring with a Vibgyor border around the Sun. Wow, what a sight in Chennai(11th July, 12:30 pm). Today, it is a New Moon day in India.
Scientists refer to the rings as "halo" around the sun.
Scientists refer to the rings as "halo" around the sun.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Art, Arattai, Aarpattam 2010 - July 16th - August 1st
Unleash the creativity and joy in your child. Bring them to Art, Arattai, Aarpattam festival in Chennai to indulge in painting, pottery, and view magic movies like Up, Bolt, and Lion King.
Click AAA-Nalandaway for details about the events..
Donor passes available in Landmark and Odyssey. For bulk bookings call Upasana at 8056212458 or email Upasana@nalandaway.org. To book online visit www.bookmyshow.com. All funds raised from the festival will go towards helping marginalized children express their creativity, and become independent and empowered.
Click AAA-Nalandaway for details about the events..
Donor passes available in Landmark and Odyssey. For bulk bookings call Upasana at 8056212458 or email Upasana@nalandaway.org. To book online visit www.bookmyshow.com. All funds raised from the festival will go towards helping marginalized children express their creativity, and become independent and empowered.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
1000 Islands in Saint Lawrence River, NewYork
Saint Lawrence River is one of the borders between USA and Canada. The river lies between northern Newyork and Ontario. The huge river houses nearly 1000 small islands. Rich people have bought these islands and built castles in them.
St.Lawrence River is a nice place to visit. They take you in a ship around the river and you can visit the castles and peep at St.Lawrence statue in the Canada border. The 150 mins trip in the ship costs 18$ per person.
St.Lawrence River is a nice place to visit. They take you in a ship around the river and you can visit the castles and peep at St.Lawrence statue in the Canada border. The 150 mins trip in the ship costs 18$ per person.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Art, Arattai, Aarpattam at French Loaf - The Nalanda Way!
Hey, i was just kidding. What i meant to say was, few enthusiastic bloggers met Mr.Sriram, Nalandaway founder, to know about their cultural festival for children -Art, Arattai, Aarpattam. The event is usually held in November, but thanks to rain playing spoilsport, the event is being held in July this year.
The Art, Arattai, Aarpattam festival is an opportunity for socially and emotionally challenged kids to express themselves through dance, drama, music, and paintings. The festival is conducted every year in partnership with UNICEF. The children are engaged in participatory drama that is therapeutic.
The community events will happen between July 16th to August 5th. Story telling, story writing, and painting competitions will be conducted in 32 districts and over 4000 cities, towns, and villages across Tamilnadu. Around 1,00,000 kids and their families will participate in this jubilant event.
The T-shirt (a souvenir for us) logo was designed based on paintings by Nalandaway kids! The colorful mural that you see outside the walls of the US consulate is also the handiwork of these kids with the help of art director Thotta Tharani!
Click here http://www.nalandaway.org/ to visit Nalandaway's website!
A list of the festival events in Chennai city:
Event: Arts Carnival
Date: July 16, 17, 18
Venue: Dakshin Chitra
This will be a three-day carnival which will be held at Dakshin Chitra, a cultural heritage centre in Chennai. Workshops on storytelling, book-reading, pottery, clay modeling, Kalamkari etc., will be conducted by professionals, for children between 6-16. The workshop will encourage children to creatively express, experience, and entertain using various art forms.
Event: Childrens Film Festival
Date: July 19th to 23rd and July 26th – 30th
Venue: Film Chamber, Near Gemini
A film festival of children’s films from USA, UK, India, France, Germany, Iran, Egypt and Korea would be screened during the festival.
Event: Sing Along by Krishna Iyer and Jeeva
Date: July 24th
Venue: Museum Theatre, Egmore
Krishna Iyer and Jeeva will present stories and songs for children. Jeeva will entertain with her stories and her mime; and Krishna and her lively team will present some foot-tapping numbers.
Event: Tale of Haruk - A Korean Musical
Date: July 24th
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
For the first time in India, TUIDA, a performance group from South Korea will be performing “The Tale of Haruk”. This play has won the Best Play, Acting, Playwright, Art Directing Prize at 2002 Seoul Children's Theatre Award, and received rave reviews for its experimental spirit, elaborate and creative set-designs.
Event: Light Music Performance by Super Singer Juniors
Date: July 25
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
Vijay TV’s super singer juniors will be performing popular numbers from Tamil Cinema.
Event: Adventures of the Green Ogre - English Musical -Shrek
Date: July 30
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
This is an English musical based on the movie Shrek. The play is directed by popular theatre personality Michael Muthu. He founded BoardWalkers in 1991 which consistently picks and promotes young talent from the city colleges. His famous productions include Biloxi Blues, God, Sleuth, The Hairy Ape, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Pied Piper of Hamlin.
Event: Kuravanji Kattai Koothu
Date: July 31
Venue: Alliance Francais
This will be a street-theatre type performance in Tamil by Kattai Koothu a troupe in Kancheepuram.
Event: Alibaba and Forty Police - Tamil Play
Date: August 1
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
Ali Baba and the Forty Police is an adaptation of the age old Arabian tales “Ali baba and the forty thieves”. This will be performed by children various from government homes across Tamil Nadu.
The Art, Arattai, Aarpattam festival is an opportunity for socially and emotionally challenged kids to express themselves through dance, drama, music, and paintings. The festival is conducted every year in partnership with UNICEF. The children are engaged in participatory drama that is therapeutic.
The community events will happen between July 16th to August 5th. Story telling, story writing, and painting competitions will be conducted in 32 districts and over 4000 cities, towns, and villages across Tamilnadu. Around 1,00,000 kids and their families will participate in this jubilant event.
The T-shirt (a souvenir for us) logo was designed based on paintings by Nalandaway kids! The colorful mural that you see outside the walls of the US consulate is also the handiwork of these kids with the help of art director Thotta Tharani!
Click here http://www.nalandaway.org/ to visit Nalandaway's website!
A list of the festival events in Chennai city:
Event: Arts Carnival
Date: July 16, 17, 18
Venue: Dakshin Chitra
This will be a three-day carnival which will be held at Dakshin Chitra, a cultural heritage centre in Chennai. Workshops on storytelling, book-reading, pottery, clay modeling, Kalamkari etc., will be conducted by professionals, for children between 6-16. The workshop will encourage children to creatively express, experience, and entertain using various art forms.
Event: Childrens Film Festival
Date: July 19th to 23rd and July 26th – 30th
Venue: Film Chamber, Near Gemini
A film festival of children’s films from USA, UK, India, France, Germany, Iran, Egypt and Korea would be screened during the festival.
Event: Sing Along by Krishna Iyer and Jeeva
Date: July 24th
Venue: Museum Theatre, Egmore
Krishna Iyer and Jeeva will present stories and songs for children. Jeeva will entertain with her stories and her mime; and Krishna and her lively team will present some foot-tapping numbers.
Event: Tale of Haruk - A Korean Musical
Date: July 24th
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
For the first time in India, TUIDA, a performance group from South Korea will be performing “The Tale of Haruk”. This play has won the Best Play, Acting, Playwright, Art Directing Prize at 2002 Seoul Children's Theatre Award, and received rave reviews for its experimental spirit, elaborate and creative set-designs.
Event: Light Music Performance by Super Singer Juniors
Date: July 25
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
Vijay TV’s super singer juniors will be performing popular numbers from Tamil Cinema.
Event: Adventures of the Green Ogre - English Musical -Shrek
Date: July 30
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
This is an English musical based on the movie Shrek. The play is directed by popular theatre personality Michael Muthu. He founded BoardWalkers in 1991 which consistently picks and promotes young talent from the city colleges. His famous productions include Biloxi Blues, God, Sleuth, The Hairy Ape, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Pied Piper of Hamlin.
Event: Kuravanji Kattai Koothu
Date: July 31
Venue: Alliance Francais
This will be a street-theatre type performance in Tamil by Kattai Koothu a troupe in Kancheepuram.
Event: Alibaba and Forty Police - Tamil Play
Date: August 1
Venue: Sri Muthu Venkatasubba Rao Auditorium
Ali Baba and the Forty Police is an adaptation of the age old Arabian tales “Ali baba and the forty thieves”. This will be performed by children various from government homes across Tamil Nadu.
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