In this issue
Transcription
In this issue
POST Volume 14 Oct – Dec 2014 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Issue 6 In this issue SIFAS Annual Day 2014 Page 03-11 Gems Academy Workshop Page 12-12 SIFAS Navrathri Festival Page 13-13 Workshop on Hindustani and Carnatic Vocal Music for NJC Students Page 16-16 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 India-Singapore 50th Anniversary Celebrations by the Indian High Commission 16th August 2014, NUS Cultural Centre SIFAS dance students performed a piece, ‘Swagatham’, along with other institution students at the function organized by The Indian High Commission in Singapore to commemorate 50 years of international relations between India and Singapore, at the NUS Cultural Centre. The event was well attended by distinguished invitees from Singapore and dignitaries from India, including the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj from India and Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam. Janmasthami Celebrations 2014 by Radha Madhav Satsang 16th August 2014, Singapore Khalsa Association Guru Jyotika Joshi, a Kathak tutor in SIFAS presented a Kathak solo at the Khalsa Association, Singapore on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on 16th August 2014. Guru Jyotika started her performance with ‘Ashtapadi-Nachat Sudhang’ followed by a Sargam in Raga Bageshri. Her performance kept the audience spellbound and was highly appreciated by everyone present there. Jyotika Joshi, Kathak Tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 2 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 SIFAS Annual Academy Day 2014 7th Sep 2014, Singapore Polytechnic The Chief Guest Mr. J Y M Pillai conferring the Kala Ratna Award for 2014 to Mr. R Jayachandran, Singapore's Non resident High Commissioner to Mauritius Srijan – Annual Academy Day Art Exhibition 2014 Srijan, the Sanskrit word which means creativity, has been selected as the title name for the academy day art exhibitions. Srijan symbolizes the utmost goal of the SIFAS School of Visual Arts. Srijan 2014 showcased more than 200 art works by 150 students from age group range of a child to an adult. Art works collectively had modern arts alongside traditional forms such as Madhubani, Warli, Tanjore and Kerala Murals depicting Indian Mythological stories. Achievements of the Visual Arts students such as awards won, participation in external events and competitions etc. were highlighted though a video screening. The students mesmerised the guest of honour J. Y. Pillai, Chairman, Council of Presidential Advisors and all other guests who graced the exhibition. Surender Mishra, Sr. Visual Arts Tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 3 c POST Volume 14 SIFAS POST Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 4 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Vibhawari – Annual Academy Day Hindustani Orchestra 2014 To commemorate the Academy Day 2014, SIFAS Hindustani team of all Gurus decided on a theme, ‘Vibhawari’ meaning the bright starry night and their students ably showcased three beautiful melodies composed in the evening ragas. Performance started with beautiful renditions in Raga Maru Bihag, and Jog, followed by Tarana in Raga Kalavati. Entire ensemble was a rhythmic, melodic expression of the emotion of love. Participation of the alumni students, Bharati Murali and Shreya Gopi, support of Guru Dr. K. Sivaraj on keyboard and special effects by Muthu Rengaswamy made the orchestra splendid! Mihir Kundu, Tabla Tutor, SIFAS Bharata Natyam Performance – Annual Academy Day 2014 The Bharata Natyam dance segment presented during the SIFAS Academy day 2014 was a spectacle to behold. The first piece involving a number of jathis and intricate thala patterns was entertaining and enriching at the same time. The semi - classical dance that followed incorporated complex body movements. Unique choreography by the gurus and the perfect execution of both the varieties by SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 5 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 the dancers showed the dedication and hard work put in by the gurus. It was indeed a grand feast for the eyes and mind. Sanjit Lal, Bharata Natyam Tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 6 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Kathak Performance – Annual Academy Day 2014 SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 7 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Guru Jyotika Joshi choreographed and presented her students in a set of two groups – one that of junior students and the other that of senior students. Group of junior students performed on the piece set in Raga Megh Malhar where Megh means cloud and it is believed that this Raga has a power to bring out the rain! The dance piece showcased the sheer joy of dancing in the rain through graceful movements replicating raindrops making their way through the formations of the nature; the gathering of clouds, then gradually mounting peals of thunder and raindrops finally descending slowly upon the sun parched trees. Senior students performed on a fast paced Kathak fusion called ‘Vaad Tarang’ which enthralled the audience. The piece was a trend setter in the choreographic revolution of Kathak dance where the music had a true essence of classical form beaded with the beats of Tabla, Drums, electric Guitar along with the Sitar. It reflected the versatility in Kathak. - Jyotika Joshi, Kathak Tutor, SIFAS Pancha Kalyani Poomaalai – Annual Academy Day Carnatic Orchestra 2014 SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 8 c POST Volume 14 SIFAS POST Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 9 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 ‘Pancha Kalyani Poomalai’, the Carnatic Orchestra was the one to inaugurate the 65th SIFAS Academy Day 2014. As rightly titled the orchestra had compositions set in five Kalyani-adjunct Ragas with background music for each composition neatly set for the instrumental rendition. All Carnatic tutors and about forty five students put in their heart and soul in practice and presentation very well lead by Guru M. S. Vidya and Guru Tripunithura Sreekanth. Visual display on screen depicting the details of each composition added colour and wholesomeness to the theme. Performance set the tune for the overall celebrations and well appreciated by the audience. M. S. Vidya, Carnatic Vocal tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 10 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 SPH’s Mid – Autumn Festival 9th and 13th September 2014, Gardens by the Bay A week long Mid-Autumn Festival was organised by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) at Gardens By the Bay. SIFAS gurus were invited to perform on 9th and 13th September 2014. Gurus Nellai Ravindran on Violin, Susanta Chowdhury on Sitar, Tripunithura Sreekanth on Mridangam and Mihir Kundu on Tabla presented the ‘Jugalbadi’ style, apt for thirty minutes time given to them on both the days. Gurus planned to present the pleasant ragas like Charukesi, Keervani and a Bajan to suit the mood of the celebration. Tough restricted in time, they played every aspect of a concert such as 'raga alapana', 'kalpana swaram' and 'tani avartanam' which was well received by the audience. Ravindran N, Violin Tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 11 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Gems Academy Workshop 19th September 2014, SIFAS Gurus of Carnatic stream at SIFAS conducted a one day workshop on 19th September at SIFAS for the students of Gems Academy. Team of Guru B.S.Anand on vocal, Guru Hariharan on violin and Guru Sreekanth on Mridangam composed the workshop in the form of lecture, demonstration combined with concert. Compositions chosen were Sri Gananaatham in Raga Kanakaangi , Aditala by Saint Sri Tyaagaraaja. It is a Krithi on Lord Ganesha Sri Saraswathi in Raga Arabhi , Rupaka Tala by Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar. It is a Krithi on goddess Saraswathi which was followed by a brief Tani Avartha, percussion solo. Yadhunandhana - Raga Chandrakouns in Aditala by Sri Parvathi Sutha which is a light devotional composition on Lord Krishna. B S Anand, Carnatic Vocal Tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 12 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 SIFAS Navarathri Festival 25th September – 3rd October 2014, SIFAS As the Navarathri tradition goes for SIFAS, year 2014 also saw SIFAS’s gurus, students and staff putting in their best of efforts in celebration. The Kolu (arrangement of dolls) was arranged on first day by the staff and tutors in a traditional manner. And the Ashtami day pooja was conducted in a very authentic way by a priest from Sri Perumal Temple. Performances were organized throughout the nine days of festival. Few local celebrity performers were invited to perform. At the same time Navarathri Festival provided an opportunity for SIFAS students to display their learning’s in front of their near and dear ones, blessed by their tutors who accompanied and guided them. SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 13 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 SICCI's 90th Anniversary Event 26th September 2014, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) celebrated 90 years of service in Singapore at The Ritz Carlton Hotel. The guest of honour for the event was honourable Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong. SIFAS students got an opportunity to usher The Prime Minister to the lamp lighting and leading him to the stage. There was an ensemble of percussionists from SIFAS comprising of both tutors and students playing a variety of rhythms which set the tone for the evening’s events. The ensemble concluded with a fast paced shower of beats. N R Prashanth, AR, SIFAS Tribute to Mandolin U Srinivas – Condolence Meeting 7th October 2014, Aurobindo Room, SIFAS SIFAS had arranged a condolence meeting for Late Asthana Vidwan Sri Mandolin U Srinivas whose untimely demise left all Carnatic music lovers in pain. Guru B. S. Anand presented the late artist’s life story in the form of photographs of his performances across the globe, a video clipping of his performance of famous Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Krithi in Raga Bindumalini and an interview captured by a TV news channel on the occasion of Indian Independence Day (Courtesy Dr. Kasinathan) SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 14 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Surabhi – Students’ Nite by Students of Guru Sonali Sinha Biswas 11th October 2014, SIFAS Student review –‘Surabhi – the fragrance’ It was indeed a pleasure to listen to my fellow students, ‘Guru Bandhu and Guru Bhagini,’ during the wonderful presentation of Hindustani Classical Music Concert, Surabhi! As it was promised, the concert sprinkled the fragrance of Hindustani Classical Music through different Ragas and Genres. It was a very well organized, disciplined and systematic presentation. As the tradition goes, the program started with the offering to the Gods through Shlokas in Raag Hamsadhwani and Raag Yaman. It was a very good presentation by students of different levels of learning singing together. Following the shlokas was a Saraswati prayer sung by year one students. It was a well-coordinated effort and they all sang in one voice. Raag Bihag presented by year 2 and 4 students’ showcased wonderful preparation and presentation of ‘taans’. The Ram Bhajan by the adult students left the audience with a divine experience to cherish. Raag Madhuwanti presented by the adult group was another experience of well-practiced taans. Then was a duet performance of Raag Puriya Dhanashree by Karthik Thiagarajan and Dr. Seshan Ramaswami. Trina Bannerjee mesmerized the audience with her voice and confidence while she presented the Bandish ‘Raat ke alasaaye’ in Raag Maru Bihag. Then it was time for another divine experience with Ram Bhajan, ‘Ram ka gungaan kariye’presented by Sussan De. Raag Bageshree presented by year 5 and 7 students was wonderful. Aalaap presentation was in sync for all students in that group. One taan per student gave us the glimpse of the talent of each student. Icing on the cake was the solo performance by Shruthi who presented Raag Gujari Todi. I enjoyed her soothing voice and singing style! Raga Yaman presented by Ganesh Anand filled the atmosphere with peace. The Program ended with the cheerful and happy notes of Vrindgaan in Raag Basant and Tarana in Rag Bahar. The Program was very well supported by Guru Chiradip Banergee and students of Guru Mihir Kundu on Tabla. Sheetal Tare, Hindustani Vocal Student, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 15 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Workshop on Hindustani and Carnatic Vocal Music for NJC Students 13th October 2014, SIFAS SIFAS held the workshop of Hindustani and Carnatic Classical Vocal Music for the students of National Junior College (NJC), Singapore. It was a wonderful experience for the students to get to know about the Indian classical music styles and for the teachers to teach the non-Indian students. Tutors share their experience with us here. It was wonderful to see the non-Indian students inquisitive about the Indian music and details of the art form. I was told to explain about the structure of khyaal. I chose a Drut Khyal in Raga Bhairav to demonstrate and explain the structure of style. It was very encouraging to answer the students’ doubts about the style, improvisation in Alap, Bolalap & Taan , and grace notes. I enjoyed explaining them the application of grace notes like Meend, Gamak, Andolan etc. They were also enthusiastic to understand the difference in Vilambit and Drut Khyal. To make the session more interactive, I asked the students to join in singing and it was amazing to see that they were able to sing in proper Sruti! Guru Chiradip took up the Tala part and demonstrated the structure of Teentaal, Ektaal and Rupak. I enjoyed being part of the workshop and teaching non-Indian students. Sonali Sinha Biswas, Hindustani Vocal tutor, SIFAS I conducted one hour lecture-demonstration on the various aspects of Krithi, the most evolved and prolific of all compositional forms in Carnatic Music for the students of NJC. The word ‘Krithi’ is less-known amongst the western music learners and hence the students were introduced to the topic using Shankarabarana Raga and a comparison was given with the Universal Major Scale that they were familiar with. Five elements of MUSIC – Morality, Unity/Universality, Spirituality, Individuality and Creativity were explained using the form Krithi which has all these as innate characteristics. Select compositions were rendered to show the distinctive structural designs and inbuilt Laya variations in Krithis. Finally a Krithi in Raga Manoranjani was chosen to demonstrat the various components of improvisational features. Students enjoyed the session and exhibited curiosity in understanding various types of Gamakas used in Carnatic Music. M S Vidya, Carnatic Vocal tutor, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 16 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Lecture-Demonstration by Ms Charumathi Ramachandran 17th October 2014, SIFAS Smt. Charumathi Ramachandran (the senior disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt. M. L. Vasanthakumari) took us to a different world of “Secrets of Lord Krishna” at her soul stirring concert for SIFAS on the 24th of October 2014. She started the concert with a Bhajan ‘Hare Krishna’ in the Raagam Mohanam followed by a composition in Raagam Maalika Virutham. And the feast of music continued with Raagam Sankarabaranam, ‘Evvade nenu’ a Padam of Kshetragnya, ‘odamu geripe’ in Saranga and ‘Allakallolla’ in the Raagam Nadha Namakriya from Saint Thyagaraja’s epic ‘Nauka Charithram’, ‘Ashtapathi’ of Saint Jeyadeva in the Raagam Peelu and so on. She invited the audience to join her in singing the concluding Bhajan which added to the bliss of the concert! She decorated her performance with the explanatory talks from Shri Krishna Leela, beginning with Krishna’s birth to his childhood mischiefs, to his teenage traits and his Raas Leela. Last but not the least, accompaniment of SIFAS gurus, Violin – Nellai Sri Ravindran, Flute – Sri Sivakumar, Sitar – Sri Susanta Chowdury, Tabla – Sri Chiradip Banerjee and Mridangam – Sri Srikanth added the essential flavor of instruments to the concert. Sripriya, SIFAS Student SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 17 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 SEA Games Recording 24th October 2014 The Southeast Asian Games (also known as the SEA Games), is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia and is under regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia. Singapore will be hosting the SEA Games in the year 2015 and SIFAS was given the rare and prestigious opportunity to compose the original music for Bharata Natyam performance. The working team included SIFAS Gurus, Bharata Natyam students of SIFAS, Ezra from the SEA Games Team, and Dr. Sydney Tan from the music production department. Guru Sri Ravindran supported by other gurus of Carnatic Music department of SIFAS composed the welcome note ‘Varuga ve’ in Raga Gambhhera Natai. Composition of 45 seconds duration is in dual rhythms of Chaturashra and Tisra Nadais with overlap of vocal and instrumental bits. Recording was held on 24 October 2014 at Dr. Tan’s studio. M S Vidya, Carnatic Vocal Tutor, SIFAS Participation at Deepavali Utsavam 26th October 2014, Gardens by the Bay It was a pleasant evening on 26th October 2014 in the midst of one of the beautiful garden of the ‘Gardens by the Bay’ with hundreds of people cheering. The participants had gathered for the Deepavali celebrations. Teachers and students of SIFAS presented a variety program. Senior Kathak students of SIFAS performed in the Deepavali Utsavam celebrations at the Gardens by the Bay on 26th October 2014. They performed Durga Stuthi through the item titled ‘Mahishasur Mardini’ which is a story of goddess Durga and her victory over the demon king Mahishasur. This aptly suited the ideology Diwali celebration which announces the victory of good over evil. The dancers were highly appreciated by the audience for their intricate footwork, graceful movements and swift chakkars. It was indeed a feast to the eyes of the enthusiastic audience. Jyotika Joshi, Kathak Tutor, SIFAS Bharata Natyam tutors of SIFAS commenced the performance with a Kriti ‘Shankara Shrigiri’ in praise of Lord Shiva. It was a mesmerizing performance and testimony to high standards the tutors have set themselves to as dancers. Then the SIFAS students performed a Kriti Nadamadum Nadhanadi’. It was followed the Kathak performance and the concluding performance was a folk dance by our senior Bharata Natyam students called ‘Raas’. This traditional dance form which is very famous in northern part of India is supposedly performed by Lord Krishna with Radha and other Sakhis. Meera Balasubramanian SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 18 c POST Volume 14 SIFAS POST Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 19 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Sitar and Tabla Performance at Tanglin Trust School 28th October 2014 Tanglin Trust School, Singapore requested SIFAS for a Sitar and Tabla performance at their school on 28th October 2014. Audience was mainly the students of age 7-10 and teachers. We started the performance with a small introduction of both the instruments and a brief history of Hindustani Music. We played Raga Shuddha Sarang in Medium and Fast tempo in Teen Taal followed by Jhala. And we ended the performance with Raga Bhairavi Dhun which was on request from the audience! This interactive concert had a question answer session and we are happy that we could do justice to their enthusiasm through our answers. This is the second time we visited the school and we are pleased to perform over there and do hope to perform there again. Susanta Chowdhury, Sitar & Hindustani Vocal tutor SIFAS Swaranjali – Students Nite by Students of Guru Deepa Paliwal 7th November 2014, SIFAS On 7th of November 2014, the sky was pouring its blessings on the earth in the form of rains. But at 7pm sharp the auspicious lamp was lit by SIFAS VP Shashi Lal Kashyap for ‘Swaranjali’ – offerings to the divine through musical notes by the students of Guru Deepa Paliwal. SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 20 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Students from year one to four performed on the day. Swaranjali began with a Saraswati Vandana by the first year students. The students then gave soulful renditions of Rag Bhupali, Rag Bihag, Rag Bhairav, Rag Jaunpuri, Rag Bheempalasi, Rag Bageshree and Rag Desh. The students also performed the Bhajans of Lord Krishna & Lord Rama and a group performance of a beautiful Tarana. The SIFAS auditorium was packed with very encouraging audience enjoying the soulful renditions and all students received thunderous applause for their wonderful performances. A big thank you goes to the students who gave Tabla accompaniment, Jagannath – Student of Guru Chiradip Bannerjee and Siddharth, Shibu, Abhinav & Abhishek – all students of Guru Mihir Kundu. Thanks to all the SIFAS staff who helped with the all technical and Rangoli arrangements. At the end, Shashi Lal Kashyap spoke words of inspiration for all students and wished Guru Deepa the very best future since she was to leave the organization after her marriage. We students take this opportunity to thank Guru Deepa Paliwal for being a patient and dedicated teacher and helping all students on their musical path. We shall miss her a lot while we continue on our music journey. Swaranjali will always be cherished in our heart as one of the best musical evening! Candy Del, Hindustani Vocal Student, SIFAS Sangeetha Rasonmesha – A Carnatic Vocal Concert by Vidushi Dr. T. S. Sathyavathi 8th November 2014, SIFAS Auditorium Audience at SIFAS had a wonderful evening on 8th November 2014 listening to Vidushi Dr. T. S. Sathyavathi from Bangalore, Karnataka, very well supported by Vidushi Ashwini Satish on vocal, and SIFAS gurus, Nellai Ravindran on violin and Tripunithura Sreekanth on Mridangam. Concert started on the best notes of Sri Ragam- Adi Tala Varnam which was presented in 2 speeds. This was followed by ‘lekana ninnu’ in Raga Asaaveri composed by Sri Tyagaraja. This presentation SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 21 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 was rendered with excellent raagaalaapana. Though Asaaveri is a tough Raga to present, it was sung brilliantly and was elaborated beautifully. ‘Aanandhaamruthaakarshini’ in Raga Amruthavarshini composed by Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar was presented with a brief raagaalaapana followed by amazing kalpana swaras in Thrishra Gathi and was concluded with a very good theermaana in chathurashra. ‘Inthirannodu’ in Raga Saraswathi which is a very rare composition by Sri Peri Aalwaar was presented very well. ‘Brahmaanandha Mandha| ve manasaa naadhaloludai’ which means music is so great that it gives soulful happiness, is a famous composition of Saint Thyaagaraja was very well planned and executed. ‘Bandhunindhiha nodi’, a keerthana on Lord Tirupathi in Raga Madhyamaavaathi composed by Sri Purandhara Dhaasaru was rendered beautifully. The concert concluded with a Thillana in Raga Hameer Kalyani. B. S. Anand, Carnatic Vocal Tutor, SIFAS SIFAS Deepavali Sangamam 2014 9th November 2014, SIFAS SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 22 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Excited after the success of Deepavali Sangamam 2013, we all at SIFAS decided to make this year's celebrations even more bigger, better and meaningful. And yes, we did it! Celebrations started with the address by the Guest of Honour, SIFAS Honorary Secretary General Dr. S. T. Kasinathan who congratulated the Sangamam Committee on organizing the event and urged more and more parents to join Sangamam. He also promised the extended support in Sangamam activities. Then was the time to start the bash with activities like potluck food, sparklers and much appreciated & awaited excellent concert, Deepavali Utsavam. In addition to these previous years’ successes, new features like Kolam / Rangoli making, Agal Vilakku / painting the clay lamps added zest to the mood. ‘Express the statement, What I like about SIFAS’ offered an opportunity to all participants to express their feelings through any art form. It was good to see the participation from children and adult with same enthusiasm. Balloon sculpting session was conducted for the children enjoyed very much and soon the auditorium was full of colourful balloons floating around adding more happiness to the festival mood. The SIFAS Sangamam team is very happy with the outcome of the efforts for this year and wishes to thank the management and staff of SIFAS for their support, the gurus for their wonderful performances, and parents & members of SIFAS Sangamam for their help and guidance. The Sangamam team is geared up for even more happening and successful Deepavali Sangamam 2015. Deepavali Sangamam 2014 Organizing Committee SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 23 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Tributes to Lord Krishna organised by SIFAS Alumni 15th and 16th November 2014, SIFAS Deepavali celebrates with great joy and festivity the triumph of good over evil as Lord Krishna vanquished the demon Narakasura. Concurrent to Deepavali celebrations, the SIFAS Alumni organised a series of six concerts in praise of Lord Krishna during the weekend of November 15-16, 2014. While the artistes were blessed to have a supportive audience, the crowd in turn enjoyed experiencing the Krishnanubhava over the weekend. Performers included Smt. Mythili Rajaraman, Kumari Aarthi Devarajan, Sri Nishanth Thiagarajan, Kumari Vaishnavi Vasudevan, and Sri Sharadh Rajaraman. The concert series culminated with a recital by one of the founding members of the SIFAS Alumni Orchestra, Sai Vigneshwar VM. SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 24 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 The SIFAS Alumni will be holding concert series such as this on a regular basis. Keep a look out for event details and updates on our blog (http://sifasalumni.blogspot.sg/) or on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sifasalumni). SIFAS Alumni, Committee SIFAS Welcomes the New CEO SIFAS Welcomes V. Krushna Kumaar, our ex-treasurer and a management Committee member as the new CEO of SIFAS. Krushna Kumaar joined as the CEO of our Society from Friday the 17th October 2014. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession with many years of experience as a CFO for Asia Pacific in US and European MNC's. SIFAS Welcomes New Gurus SIFAS welcomes two new tutors who joined SIFAS in October2014 and looks forward to their contributions. Mr P Naveen Kumar – New Violin Tutor P. Naveen Kumar completed his M. Phil. from the University of Madras. He had his training under Guru Smt. Poorna Vaidhyanathan (Disciple of Smt. T. Rukmani, and wife of Mridangist Kalaimamani Sri J. Vaidhyanathan). He is a regular performer in junior concerts during Chennai Music Season. He has also performed at concerts for Nada Neerajanam, a live programme of SVBC – A TV channel of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Mr Naveen Kumar has also been a music instructor in a private school in Chennai since 2013. SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 25 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Ms Nishanthie Jeganathan – New Bharata Natyam Tutor Nishanthie Jeganathan holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Bharata Natyam. She did her Arangetram in 2004 under Guru Smt. Suryakala Jeevananthan and has given numerous performances. She was part of the Kalakshetra Repertory Company during 2009-2010. She performed during the inaugural function of 36th International Film Festival in Goa, at a dance festival in China in 2010, at Shringara Festival, ISKCON Bangalore, Ananya Festival 2010, Ministry of Defence in Mumbai and Kapithavatha temple, Mahashivarathiri 2014. She has also performed in Shakthi TV, Nethra Channel and for Kavitha Talent Shows’ promotional music. In addition to her performances, she was teaching Bharata Natyam at Kalakshetra, Lyceumm International School Wattala, Shriram Shrushti Colombo, Mayooralaya, Colombo and Cambridge International School. Farewell to the Principal Kana Gopal SIFAS bids farewell to principal, Ms Kana Gopal. The management appreciates her contribution to SIFAS and wishes her well in her future endeavours. Kana Gopal left SIFAS in Oct 2014. Farewell to Gurus SIFAS bids farewell to Gurus Subramanian Hariharan, Violin tutor; Maya Balakrishna Kurup, Bharatanatyam tutor; and Deepa Paliwal, Hindustani vocal tutor. SIFAS management appreciates their contribution to SIFAS and wishes them well in their future endeavours. SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 26 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Academy Regulations Dear SIFAS Members, Parents and Students. We would like to share with you the below rules and regulations of SIFAS as a refresher since we receive communications from members / parents / students often on the following. These rules and regulations are already printed and informed to you through the information booklet. Monthly Tuition Fees: A monthly tuition fee is payable based on the number of tuition hours, class type and year of study. All monthly tuition fees are payable to SIFAS by or before the first 7 days of each month with the exception of December tuition fees. The December tuition fees are payable by 20th November. Students who do not pay their monthly tuition fees when due, will be required to pay a $ 5 late charge. On-line payment: Parents who remit the fees through internet banking shall inform SIFAS through email [email protected] with the following information. Students Name as in record Year of Study Parents who wish to remit the fees through internet banking can do so. The bank details are as below. DBS A/C 025-901550-3 Branch Code 7171 – 025 E-mail Address Update: We request parents to check their email id provided to SIFAS at the administration office while they come to pay their fees / drop their wards. This will help the SIFAS administration to effectively communicate with the parents in a timely fashion. For more details refer to SIFAS information booklet 2014-2015. SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 27 c POST Volume 14 Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Oct – Dec 2014 Issue 6 Bursary and Scholarship: SIFAS provides financial assistance to students who are financially challenged. Such students should be Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. This is to ensure that they are not deprived of access to training in Indian fine arts. A tiered Bursary scheme is available according to the family income. We reach out to non-Indians too and for this purpose there is a scholarship. For more information on bursary and scholarship, please contact SIFAS administration office. Centralized Theory Class: SIFAS conducts centralized theory classes for Year 5 onwards since August 2014. The communication regarding the same has been sent to all the parents through email and the same is also placed on the SIFAS notice boards. It is mandatory to secure minimum 75% attendance in the centralized theory class to be eligible to take up the annual examination. Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society – Est. 1949 2A Starlight Road, Singapore 217755 T: 6299 5929 F: 6295 1238 Editorial Team: Mr. A. Sachithanandan - Vice President Publicity, SIFAS; Mr. P. Somasekaran - Vice President - Academy, SIFAS; V Krushna Kumaar; Dr. Seshan Ramaswami; Sheetal Tare; Shivalingam Vanaraj JP Email: [email protected], Website: www.sifas.org Photo Credits: SIFAS Secretariat and SIFAS Volunteers SIFAS POST Oct – Dec 2014 Volume 14 Issue 6 Page | 28