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Archive for the ‘inspiration’ Category | |||||
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So the kids bonded over this cartoon with their cousins on our recent visit to India. Roll No. 21, with “Kris” as a modern-day boy and “Kanishk” as an evil school principal (sound familiar?). Quite funny with some Looney Tunes-esque violence. And where would we be without YouTube: | |||||
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You’ve heard of Lata, Asha, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh, but unless you’re a Southie, you may not have heard of Ghantasala – the legendary music composer and playback singer whose name is synonymous with Telugu (and many Tamil, Kannada and Malayalee) films. He is a poet in his own right – and his voice is so memorable that even after the song stops, you can still hear it in your head…etched into your soul. When I remember my childhood, I remember the tunes of Ghantasala. Weekend mornings in our house meant upma, orange juice and hours of old Telugu songs in the cassette player. Even now, when I listen to Ghantasala’s songs, I sometimes get tears in my eyes as I remember those golden days. Such is the power of music. I have my father to thank for giving me the gift of these memories. I hope I can do the same for my kids. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, I cannot forget the beautiful, romantic songs that Ghantasala sang. Here are a few of my favourites: Naa Paata Nee Nota Palakalu Silaka Mallelu Kurisina: | |||||
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It’s always exciting for the kids when their culture makes it onto mainstream Western media outlets. If your kids are fans of Angelina Ballerina, then you’ve probably seen “Angelina’s Indian Lunchtime” – in which Marco returns from India and teaches the audience about The Ramayana. He even plays the tabla (though we’re not sure what that song is all about…)! Not available on video yet, but someone taped a clip here. | |||||
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The events in Delhi (you know, about the r-a-p-e) have been front and center in the Indian newspapers – probably longer than usual. I thought, however, that emotions would soon dissipate and the event was soon to be forgotten – like many other news events do. So I was surprised to hear that the Indian government actually commissioned a report to study and recommend changes to the India’s criminal laws to protect women. Issued in a record 29 days – it gives me hope that someday women will feel more safe and empowered. However, there are skeptics – who say India will “never change” – citing cultural barricades that, in part, blame women for “letting this happen to them.” Is there any country so complex as India? Read a good opinion article here. Full text of the report here. image via The Hindu | |||||
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If you haven’t heard, it happened yesterday at a hospital near his San Diego home. Pandit Ravi Shankar was 92 years old. We can all thank him for bringing something beautiful, which is India’s own, to the world. May your legacy continue, Sir. Listen to NPR’s excellent broadcast here. Ravi Shankar circa 1960 in the U.K. (photo by David Redfern) | |||||
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Lessons learned from a 1-minute short film: | |||||
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I’ve been eyeing Parvez Taj‘s work for quite some time now. He’s Canadian-born with Indian roots (father), who I think now lives in LA. He does these gorgeous mixed-media abstracts. On HauteLook through Monday. I’m eyeing “Lake Nipissi.”
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A new year, a new school: new friends, a new curriculum…how do you offer encouragement to a nervous 6-year-old? The grandparents stepped in and reminded him of when Rama and his brothers went off to “school.” Rama was brave, and he knew learning was important. But at least you don’t have to live away from your parents… Be like Rama. How many generations of parents have uttered these words? image via Google images. | |||||
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It was truly a golden summer this year – the kids were home and we travelled, cooked, went swimming, practiced our Telugu and read lots of books together. No camps, no schedules, nowhere to be…just me and them and our circle of family and friends. I am blessed to have been able to spend so much time with them this summer – and I’m pretty sure I will be in tears on Monday when I drop them off at school. They did – and said - a lot of silly and funny things over the past few weeks. Here are their top 3 quotes: 1. Scene: We are in San Francisco and they are tucked in bed for the night. I’m telling them the plan for the next day – that they get to meet my childhood friend, Krishna, and that he’s really excited to see them. My 3-year-old daughter, visibly confused (she’d never met an actual person named Krishna before): “Does Krishna Uncle have blue skin?” (I tell my friend what she said when we met him the next day – and he said if he had known earlier, he would have shown up with his skin painted blue. Ha!) 2. Scene: The kids have been riveted with watching The Ramayana series (the looooong, 20-DVD Set Hindi version) at Thatha’s (grandfather) house. I think my son now knows more details about the story than I do. There is a scene where Sage Agastya drinks up all the ocean water (to expose some hiding rakshashas). My 6-year-old son: “He’s going to have to go to alooooot of pee-pee!” 3. Scene: I’m flying back to Los Angeles with the kids (alone, Dad got to stay home for this trip). The plane has landed and we are getting our things together. I already have plenty to carry off the plane, and I tell the kids they have to pull thier own little suitcases (filled with nothing but toys, of course). I say, “Mommy only has 2 hands, and I’m already carrying alot of things.” My daughter, shaking her head, “You don’t have 4 hands like Vishnu.” It’s amazing how their mind works. I miss them already. image: “The Happy Ice Cream” via Society6 | |||||
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Someone really should develop a curriculum for kids around the Olympics. Geography, of course, but I can think of endless possibilities to present math lessons, history and values of good sportsmanship. I can’t wait for Friday to start our family’s 2012 Olympics adventure (and to sneak in some academic lessons). Thankfully, the Australian Olympic Committee has made the job a little easier – check out the lesson plans published on the AOC website. Here are some other ideas: * Hang up an oversized map (or have a globe handy) and have kids Seek-and-Find nations on the map as they watch |
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