Dear SILC:
Here are the YouTube links to the SILC performances at the Dragon Festival today.
Special thanks to Meera Viruru for being the MC for the Indian Section of the event. Meera you did a great job! Also thanks to Major Shiv Bhatia, for being the impromptu Stage Manager - it was great help.
SILC Tabla: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=qfCn-wznbpI
SILC Adults - Vallah Ray Nakooa: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=eQdIXTWiNsw
SILC Kids - Mera Laung Gawacha: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=PO28DypiiSk
SILC Teens - Aaja Nachle: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=qjOCIhUt_ n4
Happy Viewing!
Raj Menon
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Vibha Kalakar 2010
Dear SILC students and parents:
Vibha has announced kalakaar 2010 results. You can see the results at http://wiki.vibha.org/Minnesota:Kalakaar_results_2010
Following SILC Students are recognized for their submissions at National and Minnesota levels in different categories.
National Winners:
Story Writing (9-14 yrs)
1st Place : Meera Malhotra Viruru (Minnesota)
Painting (3-8 yrs)
2nd Place : Shared by Aradhana Menon (Minnesota) and Trisha Rao (San Diego)
Minnesota Winners:
Story Writing (3-8 yrs)
2nd Place : Akshay Nambudiripad
Story Writing (9-14 yrs)
1st Place : Aadarsh Padiyath
Painting (9-14 yrs)
1st Place : Preeti Pidatala
Congratulations to the winners. And big thank you and congratulations to all the SILC students who participated in Vibha Kalkaar 2010. Just remember how you contribution is going to help...
A new book to write in, a new pair of slippers, a new little shirt for the New Year- these are some of the ways that your participation or your child's participation could make a difference, a small difference to someone on the other side of the globe.
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi
Principal
Vibha has announced kalakaar 2010 results. You can see the results at http://wiki.vibha.org/Minnesota:Kalakaar_results_2010
Following SILC Students are recognized for their submissions at National and Minnesota levels in different categories.
National Winners:
Story Writing (9-14 yrs)
1st Place : Meera Malhotra Viruru (Minnesota)
Painting (3-8 yrs)
2nd Place : Shared by Aradhana Menon (Minnesota) and Trisha Rao (San Diego)
Minnesota Winners:
Story Writing (3-8 yrs)
2nd Place : Akshay Nambudiripad
Story Writing (9-14 yrs)
1st Place : Aadarsh Padiyath
Painting (9-14 yrs)
1st Place : Preeti Pidatala
Congratulations to the winners. And big thank you and congratulations to all the SILC students who participated in Vibha Kalkaar 2010. Just remember how you contribution is going to help...
A new book to write in, a new pair of slippers, a new little shirt for the New Year- these are some of the ways that your participation or your child's participation could make a difference, a small difference to someone on the other side of the globe.
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi
Principal
Friday, April 2, 2010
Global Hotdish Show at Minnesota History Center (3/27/2010)
Dear SILCers:
SILC left its mark at Global Hotdish Show at MNHS last saturday through its performances. Though I have missed seeing the performances in person, I have heard and have seen the photos / video of SILC performances. I can tell that SILCer had lot of fun.
[1] Here is a trailer MNHS has prepared for their promotion for the next year show and it reflects the summary of 2010 Global Hotdish show. Thanks to Wendy Freshman from MNHS for sharing this video.
[2] For the record, here is the recap of the dances performed by SILC
Food, dances and music play big part in many of the festivities and celebrations in India. This is reflected beautifully in it's folk dances and music. Graceful movements, lively music, toe-tapping rhythm and colorful costumes make the dances a joy to perform as well as watch.
To show-case the variety in the folk dances, School of India For Languages - known as SILC - performed three unique dances each hailing from a different state in India and each having a unique style, different costume and even different language.
The children's dance is from the state of Punjab. The dance is called Bhangra when boys perform and Gidha when girls perform it. This fast paced dance is set for an old folk song. This song is about a girl complaining about losing her shiny nose ring, the nose ring that enhanced her beauty so much, when she came to the park to meet her boy-friend.
The youth dance shows the folk dance style of the state of Rajasthan. Graceful movements and pirouettes are salient features of this dance. The song for this dance is called 'Aaja nach le', which means "come and dance". It is from a Bollywood movie by the same name. The song invites every-body to "Not take life too seriously, Leave all worries and celebrate and dance to the music"
Finally the adults are going to perform a folk dance, called 'Koli' from the coastal region of Maharashtra. The song is a popular old folk song which talks about the joys and perils of the fisher-man's life. The movements of the dance are graceful and fluid like the waves of the Ocean.
[3] "Mirchi Bajji" from SILC Cooking class is nominated as SILC's favourite hot dish. If you want to try it, here is the recipe http://silccooking.blogspot.com/2010/01/week-12-mirchi-bajji.html
[4] Here is a thank you note from Wendy Freshman, Program Director from MNHS.
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Congratulations to all the performers; and a big thank you to the teachers and parents for their support. Thanks to Baiju Sadanandan for sharing his picaso album. I took the liberty of posting some pictures here.
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi
Principal
SILC left its mark at Global Hotdish Show at MNHS last saturday through its performances. Though I have missed seeing the performances in person, I have heard and have seen the photos / video of SILC performances. I can tell that SILCer had lot of fun.
[1] Here is a trailer MNHS has prepared for their promotion for the next year show and it reflects the summary of 2010 Global Hotdish show. Thanks to Wendy Freshman from MNHS for sharing this video.
[2] For the record, here is the recap of the dances performed by SILC
Food, dances and music play big part in many of the festivities and celebrations in India. This is reflected beautifully in it's folk dances and music. Graceful movements, lively music, toe-tapping rhythm and colorful costumes make the dances a joy to perform as well as watch.
To show-case the variety in the folk dances, School of India For Languages - known as SILC - performed three unique dances each hailing from a different state in India and each having a unique style, different costume and even different language.
The children's dance is from the state of Punjab. The dance is called Bhangra when boys perform and Gidha when girls perform it. This fast paced dance is set for an old folk song. This song is about a girl complaining about losing her shiny nose ring, the nose ring that enhanced her beauty so much, when she came to the park to meet her boy-friend.
The youth dance shows the folk dance style of the state of Rajasthan. Graceful movements and pirouettes are salient features of this dance. The song for this dance is called 'Aaja nach le', which means "come and dance". It is from a Bollywood movie by the same name. The song invites every-body to "Not take life too seriously, Leave all worries and celebrate and dance to the music"
Finally the adults are going to perform a folk dance, called 'Koli' from the coastal region of Maharashtra. The song is a popular old folk song which talks about the joys and perils of the fisher-man's life. The movements of the dance are graceful and fluid like the waves of the Ocean.
[3] "Mirchi Bajji" from SILC Cooking class is nominated as SILC's favourite hot dish. If you want to try it, here is the recipe http://silccooking.blogspot.com/2010/01/week-12-mirchi-bajji.html
[4] Here is a thank you note from Wendy Freshman, Program Director from MNHS.
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An absolutely HUGE thank you to the astounding show on Saturday! Everyone’s participation created the most delicious hotdish that clearly left our audience members dancing out of 3M Auditorium. Your talent and energy was a sight to behold and what a great gift you gave us all.
Thanks for mixing it up and sharing what you do so well –it was a pleasure working with each and every one of you!
And here is just a sampling of the positive feedback from our surveys..
“This was so fun”
“I liked the respect for everyone”
“Great family entertainment”
“A very nice afternoon at the History Center”
“Fantastic idea for celebrating diversity”
“Laughter is the universal language”
Once again, many thanks for the wonderful day and I look forward to crossing paths with you again in the very near future!
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Congratulations to all the performers; and a big thank you to the teachers and parents for their support. Thanks to Baiju Sadanandan for sharing his picaso album. I took the liberty of posting some pictures here.
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi
Principal
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Vibha Kalakaar - 2010
Hello all
Remember that Vibha Kalakaar entries are due this week. SILC will be paying for the entry fee for all students. We want to collect them together and mail them all in as one group. If you send yours electronically on your own, that is up to you, but we would like to make one large donation to Vibha. For those of you who do not know what Vibha is, please see this link:
For rules on the competition:
Please note that if you use the rules from last year that is also OK:
Let me know if you have any questions. I hope to get a lot of entries from SILC. (If you follow the 3rd link on this page, you might see a lot of familiar SILC names!)
Thank you,
Krishnan Nambudiripad
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Social Studies and Literature Day - 13th February (Contd.)
Dear Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:
We had great day yesterday celebrating the learning experiences of our Social Studies and Literature Students. Congratulations to all the students and to the teachers who have spent lot of energy and showed their passion to learning and teaching - in producing a memorable show.
I also have another happy news to report on Haiti Earthquake Fund. We have collected $440 at the event and one of the parents have pledged $100. With that we have met our goal. SILC will be donating $540 collected from SILC students and parents PLUS another $500 matching grant - a total of $1040. I am very pleased with the way our SILC has chipped in to contribute to a good cause. If you are still planning to contribute, you can still do that - write a check to UNICEF and hand it over to me or Mangala next Saturday. We plan to send all the checks to UNICEF next Saturday Feb 20th
I just want to provide a quick recap of the day to all of you. I also have posted some pictures from the event for your viewing pleasure.
(a) Sonja : Social Studies 1 (Children)
Sonja's students made a poster outlining India's culture and events; They have talked through their poster.
(b) Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Each of Krishnan's students made a poster showcasing India's classical dances, national animal, classical music, national symbols. As you can see from the pictures posted, lot of effort has gone into making these posters.
(c) Shally Gupta: Social Studies 2
Shally's students performed or talked about India's famous persons - Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, etc. What a best way to learn about India's history and current events?
(d) Keshav and Maulika: Social Studies 3
Icing on the cake goes to keshav and Maulika's students. They have made a video of themselves acting out different historical characters - bringing out different contrasting perspectives of the events. The students not only have learnt a lot, but they sure had so much fun in learning. Kudos to Keshav and Maulika for their creativity in imparting social studies education. You can also find the video on youtube, or on silcsocialstudies3.blogspot.com
(e) Sarah, Sujata and Divya: Literature
Finally, literature students performed several skits from Akbar and Birbal stories. They also have made a beautiful poster as a background for performing the skits. I couldn't resist listing one of the shortest skits they performed
Akbar: Do you want 100 easy questions? or 1 tough question?
Birbal: 1 tough question
Akbar: Chicken or Egg? which came first?
Birbal: Chicken
Akbar: How did you figure it out?
Birbal: No second question please.
All the performances turned out very well and is a reflection of the dedication teachers and students have put together. Booking the Auditorium for this event also proved to be right decision. For next year, we will do better in coordinating the audio and visual systems.
After the performances, we have continued our celebrations in enjoying the food. Managla arranged for the snacks - and I heard from so many parents that - the samosas are very yummy and tasty and that their kids have taken many seconds several times (does that count as thirds? and fourths? :). We also celebrated the birthdays of all SILCers by cutting huge cakes. Raghu made some soothing tea. All in all, it is a festivity after proud performances of the students.
If any of you want to add anything to this note, please drop me a note or leave a comment at this blog.
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Sonja: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Krishnan: Social Studies 1
Shally: Social Studies 2
Keshav and Maulika: Social Studies 3
Sujata, Sarah, Diyva: Literature Class
Sujata, Sarah, Diyva: Literature Class: Background for the skits
All that we need is a reason to celebrate: Tea
All that we need is a reason to celebrate: Birthday cake
All that we need is a reason to celebrate: Enjoying the food
Kids hanging out after a great performance on stage
Haiti Earthquake Fundraising Jar: $540 + $500
Friday, February 12, 2010
Social Studies and Literature Day - 13th February
Dear Parents, Children and Teachers
Some reminders and logistics about tomorrow.
[1] Tomorrow is Social Studies and Literature Day - where students will be presenting what they are learning through presentations.
[2] There are no language classes or elective classes tomorrow; However, all the students registered only for languges and elective classes are welcome to come; We are all expecting you to be there.
[3] We used to hold the social studies presentations in the cafetaria in earlier years. However, due to the size of SILC this year and so as to give emphasis to social studies and literature classes, we will be holding this event in the Auditorium tomorrow.
We will meet at 10 AM as usual; And after "vande maataram', we will all go to the Auditorium for our presentations to start.
[4] The presentations will be held in the following order.
[a] Sonja : SOcial Studies 1 (Children)
(b) Krishnan: Social Studies 1
(c) Shally Gupta: Social Studies 2
(d) Keshav: Social Studies 3
(e) Sarah and Sujata: Literature
[5] One of the parents asked me whether it is possible to show power point presentations; Yes. We are planning to provide a laptop computer and a projector for the students presentations;You can bring your presentations on USB drive.
[6] Also note that we will be collecting the donations for Haiti earthquake victims tomorrow per the information provided to you earlier.
As a non-profit organization run by volunteers, SILC lives by the above saying. SILC wants to help Haiti earthquake victims, in the capacity and means it can. Any contribution – be it a $1, or $2 or $5 – given by its students and parents will be matched by SILC to a maximum limit of $500. I am hoping that we can collectively donate over $1000 towards helping Haiti. Please hand over your donation to your teacher or Principal on February 13th (social studies day). Our plan is to donate this amount through UNICEF. For further details on UNICEF channel, please see http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/unicef-urgently-appeals-for.html
See you all tomorrow
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Some reminders and logistics about tomorrow.
[1] Tomorrow is Social Studies and Literature Day - where students will be presenting what they are learning through presentations.
[2] There are no language classes or elective classes tomorrow; However, all the students registered only for languges and elective classes are welcome to come; We are all expecting you to be there.
[3] We used to hold the social studies presentations in the cafetaria in earlier years. However, due to the size of SILC this year and so as to give emphasis to social studies and literature classes, we will be holding this event in the Auditorium tomorrow.
We will meet at 10 AM as usual; And after "vande maataram', we will all go to the Auditorium for our presentations to start.
[4] The presentations will be held in the following order.
[a] Sonja : SOcial Studies 1 (Children)
(b) Krishnan: Social Studies 1
(c) Shally Gupta: Social Studies 2
(d) Keshav: Social Studies 3
(e) Sarah and Sujata: Literature
[5] One of the parents asked me whether it is possible to show power point presentations; Yes. We are planning to provide a laptop computer and a projector for the students presentations;You can bring your presentations on USB drive.
[6] Also note that we will be collecting the donations for Haiti earthquake victims tomorrow per the information provided to you earlier.
As a non-profit organization run by volunteers, SILC lives by the above saying. SILC wants to help Haiti earthquake victims, in the capacity and means it can. Any contribution – be it a $1, or $2 or $5 – given by its students and parents will be matched by SILC to a maximum limit of $500. I am hoping that we can collectively donate over $1000 towards helping Haiti. Please hand over your donation to your teacher or Principal on February 13th (social studies day). Our plan is to donate this amount through UNICEF. For further details on UNICEF channel, please see http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/unicef-urgently-appeals-for.html
See you all tomorrow
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Saturday, February 6, 2010
SILC Times - Second issue is out today
Dear SILCers:
Today's issue of SILC Times can be accessed here. Please get in touch with Erin, Assistant Principal if you need printed copy of this issue.
A big thanks to the contributors for their inputs to the new letter and to the editorial board for bringing out another excellent issue.
Also note that earlier issues of SILC times are archived here.
Your Sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Today's issue of SILC Times can be accessed here. Please get in touch with Erin, Assistant Principal if you need printed copy of this issue.
A big thanks to the contributors for their inputs to the new letter and to the editorial board for bringing out another excellent issue.
Also note that earlier issues of SILC times are archived here.
Your Sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Helping hands are holier than praying lips
As a non-profit organization run by volunteers, SILC lives by the above saying. SILC wants to help Haiti earthquake victims, in the capacity and means it can. Any contribution – be it a $1, or $2 or $5 – given by its students and parents will be matched by SILC to a maximum limit of $500. I am hoping that we can collectively donate over $1000 towards helping Haiti. Please hand over your donation to your teacher or Principal on February 13th (social studies day). Our plan is to donate this amount through UNICEF. For further details on UNICEF channel, please see http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/unicef-urgently-appeals-for.html
Yours sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Vibha Kalakaar 2010: Unleash your Creativity. And HELP a Child in NEED.
Dear SILCers:
Another exciting event is Vibha Kalakaar 2010. SILC participated in this event last year and we would like to continue this tradition.
SILC students can participate and enter in different categories - Painting, Short Story writing, Essay writing, Photo Contest and Essay Writing. SILC will be paying the registration fee for all SILC students who submit an entry. And students can participate in more than one category as well.
Please visit http://wiki.vibha.org/Minnesota:Kalakaar-10 for further details. The deadline to submit the entries to Vibha is March 6th. Please handover your submissions to Principal or your teacher on March 6th. And wear your thinking caps now and start working on your Vibha submissions.
Yours Sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
Vibha KALAKAAR 2010
A platform to appreciate the ARTIST in You
Another exciting event is Vibha Kalakaar 2010. SILC participated in this event last year and we would like to continue this tradition.
SILC students can participate and enter in different categories - Painting, Short Story writing, Essay writing, Photo Contest and Essay Writing. SILC will be paying the registration fee for all SILC students who submit an entry. And students can participate in more than one category as well.
Please visit http://wiki.vibha.org/Minnesota:Kalakaar-10 for further details. The deadline to submit the entries to Vibha is March 6th. Please handover your submissions to Principal or your teacher on March 6th. And wear your thinking caps now and start working on your Vibha submissions.
Yours Sincerely
Siva Jasthi, Principal
A platform to appreciate the ARTIST in You
Saturday, January 9, 2010
SILC @ MN History Center (27th March 2010)
Dear SILCers:
Happy New Year and Welcome back.
Hope you all had a wonderful holidays. It is good to see you all back at SILC today.
There are many exciting things in store for SILC in this year.
[1] Our first formal performance by our dance students (adult, youth and children) will be on March 27th in "Global Hotdish Variety Show" at Minnesota History Center.
I have provided an excerpt here, but please visit http://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/programs/globalhotdish/
for more details about the program. This is Minnesota History Museum's first invitation to SILC to participate in "Global Hotdish Variety Show"
Go to to your dance class and practice your dances to get ready for our show.
[2] Our Second SILC News Letter is going to be published in two weeks. If any of you want to share your experiences (first timers or repeaters) or if you have any suggestions on how we can improve the learning and fun experiences at SILC, please provide your contributions to SILC Newsletter Editorial Committee.
Warm Regards
Principal
Siva Jasthi
.
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Bring the kids! It's A multi-cultural mash-up of music and dance. "The variety of performances was excellent and the show was very family friendly. We would not hesitate to return."
Where can you see Mongolian foot jugglers, a national yo yo master, a Hmong comedian, Austrian alphorn players and wacky chickens? In a whimsical 90-minute, family-friendly variety show, of course! ~Linda K. (minnemom) of Travels with Children
The exciting three-part performance series returns for another captivating good time in 3M Auditorium with multi-cultural and multi-generational artists who are classic and quirky.
It’s a mash-up of music, song, games and dance representing Africa, France, India, Iran, Latin America, Northern Asia, the West Indies, and Minnesota nice thrown in for extra spice.
Come for the pre-show entertainment at 1:30 pm in the History Center rotunda. Be a part of the show as you clap, swing and dance along. Test your wits with the Geo Pop Quiz, and Great State Trivia TidBits, then join the sing-along finale! It’s all part of the Saturday matinee fun…..so let us entertain you!
For tickets call 651-259-3015 or purchase tickets on-line.
- Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Minnesota History Center
- Tickets
- MHS Members - $10
- Non-MHS Members - $12
- Children age 6 to 17 - $5
Online Special! Buy tickets to all 3 shows on the same order and receive $1 off Adult and Member Adult tickets!
January 23, 2010
Show Host: T. Mychael Rambo
The House Band: Tres Mundos
Featuring:
- Yo yo tricks with Dazzling Dave
- Persian song poems with Maryam Yusefzadeh and Tim O' Keefe
- Appalachian flatfoot clogging with Bob Walser and family
- Fur trade fashions and a capella harmony with The Sons of the Voyaguer
- Pre-Teen vocal sensation Julius Andrews IV
February 27, 2010
Show Host: Pop Wagner
The House Band: Dan Newton and the Café Accordion Orchestra
Featuring:
- Mongolian foot juggling with Chimgee Haltarhuu and Anwar Hassouni
- Ojibwe flute music with Darren Moose
- Faux French Cooking with Z Puppets Rosenschnoz
- African American step dancing with DelaSouljah Steppers
March 27, 2010
Show Host: Tou Ger XiongThe House Band: Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs
Featuring:
- Wacky Chickens with Lloyd Brandt and Rosie Cole
- Exquisite choreography with the School of India for Languages and Culture
- Austrian Alphorn music with Steve Ecklund, Vicki Wheeler and Becky Jyrkas
- Hmong comedy with Tou Ger Xiong
- Fast taps and high kicks with The Satin Dolls
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