Chinmaya Mission^® Washington Regional Center

CHINMAYAM PERFORMING ARTS 

Please click on the appropriate category below to get more information about the teachers and the curriculum.

Contact Performing Arts Coordinator Vandana Bapna for details. 

Arts Curriculum Guidelines        

Performing Arts Registration Form 2007-2008 - This form is to be used only for existing students interested in registering for Performing Arts Classes.

Page Webmaster: Nikhil Kishore

Bhajan

Carnatic Music

Flute

Folk Dances

Keyboard

Mrudungam

Tabla

Violin

Current Bhajan classes are free of charge for Chinmaya Mission members. Those who are interested in joining, need to register with their name, email address and telephone number. Please forward information by email to Smt Usha Iyer (subhakshi@hotmail.com)
 

Smt. Usha Iyer started her initial training in Vocal Carnatic Music from Sri Janakiraman of Coimbatore in 1952. In 1963, she learned playing VEENA under the guidance of Sri Sathyanarayana Rao of Jamshedpur, India, for three years. She learned many keerthanams and music teaching techniques from Mrs. Maragatham Ramaswamy in the USA. In addition, she learned all the Navagraha Keerthanams composed by Sri Muthuswamy Deekshithar from Mrs. Bhooshani Kalyanaraman in Madras, India.

Curriculum:

Students will learn simple musical notes with different variations.  They will be introduced to different Ragas, basic notes, Raga songs and bhajans based on that Raga with some alaps and tans.  They will learn some popular bhajans . 

Special Instructions:

Students have to express an interest and devotion in learning music.  They also must show a desire to improve their vocal skills and practice what they learn at least three or four times a week.  Students must be committed to a regular attendance.

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Smt. Latha Ramaswamy hails from a family of singers.  She is a disciple of Guru Smt. Usha Char of Olney, MD.  She started learning Carnatic Music at the age of 6 from Sri. Sowrirajan of Nagapattinam and continued her advanced lessons with Smt. Prema of Tanjore.  She has given Carnatic Vocal Concerts and sung for Bharathanatyam and Kuchipidi performances in the Washington DC area.  She is also a stage actress and has directed and staged a number of Tamil plays in the US with a cast of children as well as adults.  She enjoys working with young children.

Kavitha Ganesan  started learning carnatic music from the ripe young age of six from one of Chinmaya Missions beloved music and Balavihar teacher, Usha Iyer. She has had twelve years of experience and plans to continue her passion for singing. Over the years, Kavitha has given numerous performances at the Sri Siva Vishu Temple for the annual Nadatharangini. She would love to share the wonderful experience of carnatic music to younger generations in order to instill one of India’s beautiful classical art.

Curriculum:  

Depending on the proficiency levels of students registering for the Carnatic Music class this year, two levels of Carnatic Music instruction: Level 1 covering Basic lessons, and Level 2 covering Varnams and Keerthanams, could be offered.

Special Instructions: 

Students ought to be interested in Carnatic music and be ready to practice at home between lessons in order to keep pace with the rest of the class.  Photocopies of all the lessons will be provided.  Our aim here is to make children develop a keen interest for music and our heritage and carry it with them for the rest of their lives.  So, we will try to make it a fun as well as a learning experience for the children!

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Flute:  Lord Krishna’s instrument

Ms. Neha Mehta 

Parent coordinator: Dr. Urvi Mehta

Venue: Chinmayam

Time: Sunday 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Class Size: 6

Neha Mehta has been learning the flute since fourth grade. She has been in her high school's symphonic band for two years now, and has participated in

many competitions, where she has continued to receive superior ratings. She takes private lessons outside of school, and has participated in many musical groups outside of school.

Curriculum:

Flute lessons will start in January, after she is done with college applications. Students will learn Indian bhajans and Hindi songs. The children will be provided with sheet music. Children can suggest songs that they wish to play, and she can write the notes for the songs if the song is appropriate.

Special Instructions:

Students who wish to participate in the class must have at least two years of experience playing the flute. Students should practice the music at home in order to improve their tone and playing in general.

The Gracious “Garba and Dandiya Raas” from Gujarat

Dr. Urvi Mehta and Smt. Priti Mehta 

Venue: Chinmayam

Time: Sunday 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Class Size: maximum 20

Dr. Urvi Mehta has been performing Garba and Dandiya Raas since her childhood. She has performed and choreographed dances for many different occasions at various Indian cultural functions.  She enjoys performing and choreographing Garba and Dandiya Raas for children and adults. She is also a very talented singer and really enjoys music.

Smt. Priti Mehta will be joining Dr. Urvi Mehta in teaching Garba and Dandiya Raas for the first session starting in September. She has been keenly interested in all folk dances, especially Garba and Dandiya Raas.  She enjoys performing and choreographing Garba & Dandiya Raas for children and adults.  She has performed at various occasions, including at the 2006 Chinmaya Mission's Diwali Celebration event. Priti’s husband Niraj is a very talented Garba performer, who accompanies her. 

Curriculum: 

Folk dance classes will start with Garba/Dandiya training. Since September and October is Navratri time also, we will cover basic steps of Garba and Dandiya with music during this time. We encourage kids as well as the adults to participate as the steps are very easy and it can be lot of fun. And of course, if we keep Krishna and Radha in our minds while dancing then it can be a devotional dance too! The class is expected to run for 4 to 6 weeks. Students will learn the culture, dance to the rhythmic beat, to move in fast and slow pace.  The dances will be presented at the Performing Arts annual day in June. 

Special Instructions There is no age limit for  students to learn this dance, as long as they are enthusiastic and punctual, be prepared to practice and not miss classes. Students should also be available for additional practices as needed.  Please come prepared for lots of fun with all your energies.

The vibrant “Bhangra” from Punjab

Ms. Komal Dilawari and Ms. Divya Puri

Parent coordinator:  Smt. Meena Puri

Venue: Chinmayam

Time: Sunday 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm

Class Size: maximum 20

Komal Raani Dilawari has been attending Chinmaya Mission for 8 years. She will be teaching Bhangra with Divya Puri. She has been dancing for many years and has performed in many various types of dances such as Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Garba, and Bhangra. She has taught bhangra dances in previous summer camps at Chinmaya Mission. She loves to teach and interact with kids. She looks forward to teaching a fun class! Read this section from The Blake Beat, Komal's School Newspaper.

Divya Puri has been going to Chinmaya Mission for the past 8 years. She has always loved to dance. She has been in many dances during Chinmaya Mission presentations. Divya has been involved in Bhangra, Garba, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, and Kathak. She loves working with kids and aspires to let them find their own talents within them.

 Curriculum:

Bhangra Class will last for about 4-6 weeks. We will be dancing to a typical Punjabi song and the meaning of the song will also be taught. We will first start off from the beginning of the song and will shorten the original song as needed. Otherwise, the song will be very long to dance to. Students will learn about the culture, dance to the rhythmic beat, to move in fast and slow pace.  The dances will be presented at the Performing Arts annual day in June. 

 Special Instructions:Students should also be available for additional practices as needed.  Please come prepared for lots of fun with all your energies. There is no age limit for  students to learn this dance, as long as they are enthusiastic and punctual, be prepared to practice and not miss classes. Please have the children wear loose clothing like a typical Indian salwar kameeze and kurtha pajama.

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Smt. Vasanti Athavale holds a degree in Hindustani classical music from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi.  For the past 25 years, she has been teaching Hindustani light classical music and bhajans, as well as instrumental music through harmonium and keyboard in Washington area.  She has performed at many concerts in temples and in community programs.  She has also composed music and directed plays for Natya Bharati, Marathi Mandal and Chinmaya Mission. She has been teaching music in Chinmaya Mission conducted summer camps for the past 10 years.  She also gives private lessons in vocal music as well as playing harmonium at her house.

Smt. Geeta Kansal 's hobby and interest in music, arts and dance (Harmonium, Kathak and Folk) began during her childhood in India, inspired by her father.  She started singing back in the 8th grade.  She has been actively involved in teaching music and folk dances to children of all age groups.  Geeta's talent extends to members of the community, Educational Centers, and her own children.   She has choreographed Holi and Diwali functions in Gaithersburg for the last 20 years.  For the past 3 years, she has been learning Classical Vocal music from Mrs. Vasanti Athavale. Geeta's love and passion for music inspires her to continue learning from Mrs. Athavale and share it with others in the form of teaching. 

Curriculum: 

The student will learn basic notes ,various combinations of notes. some ragas and playing simple bhajans.

Special Instructions:

Please bring your keyboard to classes every Sunday.  The teachers will decide if very young students are ready for these classes.  Students have to express an interest in learning.  They also must show a desire to improve their skills and practice what they learn at least three or four times a week.  Students must be committed to a regular attendance.

You can find a write up of Dr. Swaminathan’s resume at the following website www.narthaki.com/homepg/userpages/pkswaminathan.html (Copy and paste this URL on your Web Browser to get to this site)

Curriculum:

The Mrudangam course taught by Dr. Swaminathan at the Chinmaya Mission is an introductory (1st year) part of a 6-year course designed by his esteemed Guru, Mrudangam Maestro Padmashri Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman.  It may take two years to complete the basic first year material at Chinmaya Mission due to the reduced number of classes compared to those offered in India. Continuation in the course will logically take them to Maestro Umayalpuram Sivaraman's disciplehood (in India/US) and onto the Carnatic classical performance stage.

Note:  Dr. Swaminathan’s daughter Rajna, who is a superb Mrudangam player herself, will be the substitute teacher when Dr. Swaminathan is away.

Special Instructions: 

This low-cost offering that requires commitment of time is offered through the Chinmaya Mission as a way to attract promising students.  They will have to decide in due course of time (after they have practiced what has been taught in the introductory course) if/when they want to join the intensive individual training under Dr. Swaminathan with a long-term commitment to the course that he expects the students to follow beyond that stage. Students should be six years or older.  However, starting age is not the critical criterion - physical growth and attention span are - ability to make adequate practice happen regularly at home is CRITICAL - and candidates will be evaluated on a case-by- case basis. Classes are held at Dr. Swaminathan’s residence in Burtonsville (located 5 min drive away from Chinmayam and next to the Fairland library)

Sandesh Sreenivas  is studying at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).  He has been teaching Tabla at Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center since October 2000, when he was 13 years old.  Sandesh is the first volunteer youth tabla teacher to initiate the tabla program in the year 2000.  He has been trained in a wide range of Hindustani and Karnatak classical music styles and disciple of Zaveri, Jakir Hossain, nephew of Ustad Humid Hossain, Bhanu Vaidya in U.S. for Hindustani and Vidwan Narasimhan for Karnatak Music in Bangalore, India.  Sandesh is a great-grandson of Vidwan Borlingaiah, a Tabla and Harmonium Artist in the 1945's.  Sandesh's objective is to use his teenage energy to enhance Tabla playing skills, by practicing, volunteering, as well as teaching interested youths during his free time.  He has performed in many concerts at temples, churches, community centers both in India and here.  He has won several awards, including the "Excellent Tabla Award" presented by the Association of Indians in America, the 2nd place winner for the National classical Indian Music Competition held at UMBC and many more.  His skills and demonstrated teaching techniques consistently enhanced the student's enrollment and youths' interest every year. Sandesh has given a successful first four-week Tabla workshop everyday during 2003 summer camp. Click here for an article by Sandesh entitled The Power of Desire, Finding Our Niche Through Community Service.

Shri Kishore Dighe embarked on his Tabla learning journey on the 12th of August 1972. He received immaculate training from Shri. Eknath Pimple, disciple of late maestro ‘Padmabhushan’ Pandit Nikhil Ghosh at Bombay’s most prestigious music academy ‘Sangit Mahabharati’, earning his ‘Sangit Navin Diploma’ in the 9th grade.  Pt. Nikhil Ghosh was the disciple of Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa of Farukabad Gharana. The style of this Gharana is well known for its compositions.  Earning popularity from his childhood days, Kishoreji has been playing and teaching Tabla for well over 25 years and has provided evocative accompaniment at concerts in India and here. By the divine grace of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji and his humbleness Swami Dheeranandji, he has been bestowed the task of teaching our young and aspiring Tabalji’s (tabla students) at the mission since two years.

Sambrum Sreenivas has been learning Tabla for the past 5 years. He assisted aspiring young children of less than 8 years old to instill their hidden talents and skills by using this popular Indian Musical instrument.  This will be his second year in teaching what he believes and leading a very young talented group of children.  He is the fifth generation in his Tabla learning journey started by his great-great grand fathers.  

Dr. Sreenivas Venkataiah Dr. Sreenivas, who has been a tabla coordinator for the Chinmaya Tabla Program since its inception during the year 2000 under the direction of Swami Dheerananda.  He will be the practice teacher, assistant to Sambrum Sreenivas and a substitute.  An aspiring tabla learner will assist the coordinator.

Curriculum: 

This is a four-year intensive curriculum.  A detailed class booklet will be provided to the new students.

Prerequisites:

Each student must bring (own or rent) a medium-sized Tabla, contact for more details.  Tabla (Dayan), Dugga (Bayan), Top covers, Chumbals (bases), Hatodi, Tabla powder – 100/200 page marble composition book, working pen, two sharpened pencils and a good eraser.  The student should be serious and dedicated.  The student must be committed to practice during the week. 

First and Second Year students: 

Introduction to Indian Tabla, Background Information, Tabla Pieces, Dayan, Bayan, Rhythm, Vocabulary, Strokes, Notes, Combination  Strokes.

Basic Strokes Exercises, Introduction to challenging exercises such as two beats (Taals)

Practice, Review, and Tests

Attend at least two concerts or classical musical sessions

Group skill presentation, Group presentation in front of an audience.

Senior Years Students: 

 Students will be evaluated for Indian Tabla, Tabla Pieces, Dayan, Bayan, Rhythm, Vocabulary, Strokes, Notes, Combination Strokes, Basic Strokes  Review and tests on Strokes, two beats (Taals)

Challenging advanced exercises/variations, mixed blend of Hindustani and Karnatak style.

At least two new beats (Taals)

Practice, Review and Tests

Attend at least four concerts or classical musical sessions.

 Individual and Group skill presentation, Group presentation in front of audience.

Practical

Peshkar, Qaida, Tukda, Rela, Gath in Tritaal (Teental) – {Rupak & Ektal Optional}

Accompaniment to vocal and instrumental music, light and classical Hindustani music.

Tuning up instruments (Compulsory).

Indian National Anthem (Optional).

Different tempos with time signatures

To form short presentable solo items by students at the end of the year by way of arranging and re-arranging all they have learnt    during that year with the help of Metronome and Nagma (harmonium) accompaniment.

Theory:

History of Tabla

Biography of great Tabla exponent and Swami Haridas

Information and physical drawings in pencil of Tabla, Tanpura and Sarangi (optional)

Reading and writing of notations

 Laya or Tempo's and their demarcations (compound twice) with signs of rests

Optional:

Small Tape Recorder with Voice Activated System for special learning notes.

Special Instructions:

Respect, punctuality, discipline, Daily practice for at least 15 minutes. Establish quarterly goals and performance Review

VIOLIN FOR BEGINNERS

Vishnupriya Krishnan, Devtulya Kavathekar

Coordinator: Deepa Krishnan

Venue: Chinmayam

Time: Sunday 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Class Size: TBA

Vishnupriya Krishnan has been playing the violin for the past six years. She has been attending Balavihar since she was six years old. She enjoys working with children and teaching music to them. She is an active participant in her school’s Chamber Orchestra as well as a member of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras©, which perform in the DC area. She accompanied many of the Chinmaya Summer Camp Bhajans this year.

Devtulya Kavathekar started playing violin in the 3^rd grade and is currently a sophomore at Thomas Wootton High School.  He has attended Balavihar for the past 3 years. The class consists of 3 beginners in violin ranging from 2nd-4^th grade. Along with teaching violin at Chinmaya, Dev has teaching and leadership experience as a Junior Referee at MSI and a C/Airman First Class at the United States Air Force Auxillary (CAP). He has been in state wide compeititon with his orchestra during the past 3 years. Devtulya Kavathekar can be contacted at devsteelers@yahoo.com

Curriculum:

There is no prerequisite for this class. The class curriculum is suitable for students new to violin. Students who enroll are expected to have little or no violin experience. Students will learn the basics of violin playing, including proper position, the right bow hold, and appropriate stretching exercises. They will also learn how to read music. Students will learn at least two scales which will emphasize the importance of correct position, a wide range of pieces and at least one simple Bhajan. [The class curriculum may change depending on the number of students enrolled and the levels of the students.] Her mother, Deepa Krishnan, will be the class coordinator for this class.

Special Instructions:

Each student should bring [to every class] a violin, a pen/pencil, and a notebook in which they can write important information as well as assignments. The shops listed below carry rental instruments. (Cut and paste weblinks to your browser)

Potter’s Violins: pottersviolins.com/

Phone #: (301)-652-7070

Music & Arts Center: musicarts.com/

Phone #: Please see website for most convenient location.

Lashof Violins: lashofviolins.com/

Phone #: (301)-330-2606 

Since we only have 30-45 minutes every Sunday for our class time, it is necessary that students arrive five minutes early to class and be ready with their instruments out. The recommended practice time is at least 20 minutes a day. Students can refer to the notebook for their assignments.

For more information about violin classes at Chinmayam, Vishnupriya can be contacted at priya2011@gmail.com.

Music CDs produced by Bala Vihar Children

Mantra -  A Music CD with devotional songs (2004)

Bala Vihar Students: Vineet Bhagwat (Vocal & Harmonium) And Sandesh Sreenivas (Tabla)

Mantra II -  A Music CD with devotional songs (2007)

Bala Vihar Students: Nandini Kishore (Vocal & Harmonium) and Sambrum Sreenivas (Tabla)

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June 21, 2006