Opening ceremony and Republic Day celebrations

October 31, 2005 opening day of our unique music academy for children. What an auspicious occasion this turned out to be. We were graced not only by the presence of one of Pandit Ravi Shankar`s senior most disciples Jagat Adhikaryji (sitar maestro)and his daughter Sangeeta (she was given her name by the Maestro himself), but also by Pandit Barunkumar Pal (hans veena maestro)and his wife. Barunji is also himself a disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar. These two artitists had never met before they both attended our music school`s opening! It was very touching for all to see them together for the first time. Barunji is head of the Sri Aurobind Mother`s school vast music department in Delhi. Among other things Barunji is doing there he conducts, composes and arranges music for a three hundred member youth orchestra which has performed for many foriegn dignitaries and is unique in Indian classical music. Barunji also teaches in the Ravi Shankar Center in New Delhi.
Happily it was also the occasion of the releasing of Barunji`s latest classical music CD of hans veena and also of my newest bajan/kirtan CD "The thief". We enjoyed doing that! In the evening after local aspiring musicians played for us all and we all had eaten a hearty meal, Barunji awed us with his exquisite artistery on the hans veena. What a joy to sit in on Barunji`s early morning riaz sessions. He says he feels so inspired by our location right beside Mother Ganga with a wonderful view of the Himalayas

Wonderful opening of the music academy
in Sri Krishna Kripa Sadak`s Home beside Mother Ganga. First we had a poojya.
Shivananda Sharma our first teacher on my right, Jagat Adhikaryji and
Barunkumar Palji on my left. Many friends and musicians also came to wish
us well.

Barunji and myself releasing our new CD recordings!

Later, in the evening Barunji enthralled us with his playing.
(Notice Mother Gangaji in the background)

Sponsoring students

These are some of the children who are being sponsored in the school. First photo is Sheema. Her mother is a single parent with several children and works in the ashram. Sheema wants to be a singer. Next is our "star" Mrytujai. He is very very determined to be a great singer. His father is a day labourer, very uneducated family but some how Mrytujai has hight aspirations. Everyone who meets him falls in love with this very motivated little guy!

This is Rajendra. He walks a long way to the school everyday and he has only one leg! He is really coming along on the violin and we are very proud of him. The other photo is Gajendra. He is really remarkable. He is very poor and lives in a far off village but still makes the walk to the school every day. He has really learn the flute quite beautifully in only a month!

The fees are only Indian Rupees 200 per month (about $5.00!) But this is often too much of a burden for a family struggling to make ends meet and who often have no interest in their children learning music either. Common situation around Rishikesh. So sponsoring these children is really a wonderful thing for them in their lives.

Republic Day @ Plaza Sangeet Kendra

January 26, 2006 Barunkumar Pal (hans veena artist) visits us again with other distinguished guests enjoy performances by our students on the roof of Sri Krishna Kripa Sadak`s Home. It was a thrill for our very new students to be able to perform so quickly!

These boys are very dedicated to learning violin. We call these brothers our Rajan-Sajan!

Sonu Maulik our talented neighbour in Kathak dance. Our sangeet kendras are sisters!