- Beaba Be Mine (4)
- celebrations (65)
- crafts (35)
- eco living (29)
- enlightenment (41)
- food (38)
- from Gnaana (62)
- good reads (27)
- Guest Blogger (37)
- inspiration (40)
- language (35)
- safari (44)
- style (52)
- travel (18)
- uncategorized (1)
Subscribe
Archive for the ‘inspiration’ Category | |||||
| |||||
|
image via I Paid a Bribe I still feel like there’s a shotput in stomach whenever I think back to one of the worst days of my life: my husband and I had just moved to Bangalore from the US and we had to go to the Bangalore aiport to claim some items we had shipped over. The nightmare began as soon as we entered customs – you can’t bring in this and this, actually you can’t bring in any of this. We only had books and a high resolution computer monitor – but they were medical books that my husband needed for his work – so of course their eyes were bulging rupees. I don’t remember the exact amount of the “facilitation fee” we ended up paying – I think around 50,000 rupees (gulp!). But I do remember feeling utterly powerless and completely helpless. I even cried from fear when I was seperated from my husband for a brief moment (these men were obviously “above the law” so you can imagine what I was thinking…). Corruption in India is the single reason I never felt safe living there. Because, apparently, you can even get away with murder (see the Jessica Lall Murder Case, as dramatized in this year’s critically-acclaimed film No One Killed Jessica). But there seems to be a new wave of hope sweeping over India – a grassroots movement in favour of empowerment of the people. The movement is fueled in part by the leadership of Anna Hazare and by social media. Check out www.ipaidabribe.org – a website where people can anonymously report incidents of corruption and tell the world what department was involved, the circumstances and how much they were forced to pay. Genius! Wherever you are in the world, I urge you to take part in this movement: Join the Facebook pages of India Against Corruption and of I Paid a Bribe and spread the word to your friends and family. If you live or travel to India and are forced to “pay up” – report it on IPaB. As members of the Indian diaspora, we can help India be free and independent from corruption. The web and social media makes it easy for all of us to have our voices heard. And the strength is in the numbers: India (finally) ratified the UN Convention against Corruption last month. Gandhi gave the world Satyagraha. India is now on the brink of breaking free from another captor – in a novel way that could yet again set an example for the world (Chinese activists have already copied IPaB’s model). So, please, join the Anti-Corruption Movement – it is real, it has a leader and it’s gaining speed fast. We owe our children a corruption-free India! | |||||
| |||||
|
“So why are Indian parents so into spelling bees?“ This was the question one of my friends (she’s Japanese) posed to me a few weeks ago. Normally, I despise broad generalizations – but in this case it was so true. I didn’t really know what to tell her – it’s like asking Chinese or Korean families why they insist on having their kids play piano or violin. Really though – winning spelling bees has become a matter of pride in our community. According to the Deccan Herald, even though Indian Americans make up only 1% of the US population, they dominate the spelling bee circuit. Eight of the past 12 Scripps champs (well, now 9 out 13) have been of Indian descent. We even have our very own exclusive South Asian Spelling Bee – started by the founder of the North South Foundation and sponsored by MetLife. Imagine the stress level for those kids! Some people criticize spelling bees – saying the immense amount of pressure to perform is detrimental to a child’s development, and that they don’t teach kids anything beyond the mere spelling. Will I have my kids do spelling bees? I’m not sure – but I most certainly want them to compete in something that they are talented in – be it sports, music, writing or something else. Competition is thrilling, motivating and a fact of life. Congratulations, Sukanya Roy – I hope you and others will inspire the spirit of competition in other South Asian kids! Image via ESPN (2005) | |||||
| |||||
|
We’re still watching clips of the Royal Wedding, and my daughter perfects her princess wave while we do so - all the minor nuances of Kate’s hand movements. Honestly I did nothing to usher in the princess infatuation (she hasn’t even watched a single Disney princess-y movie yet), but lately every headband is a tiara and requests have been made for a princess toothbrush and princess vitamins. And of course princess books. Our collection right now is very limited (I censor for brattiness), but one of her favourites is her Princess Sita Book (also known as her brother’s Scary Ravana Book) – a very brief Ramayana picture book. Forget Rama, Hanuman and Ravana – the Ramayana as far as she’s concerned is all about Princess Sita: “Princess Sita beautiful” (when she marries Rama), “Princess Sita scared” (when Ravana kidnaps her), “Princess Sita sad” (when she’s imprisoned in Lanka) and “Princess Sita happy” (when Rama rescues her). So this list is for all the little girls: 6 Indian Princesses who are not only beautiful beyond belief, but who are also intelligent, inspirational and legends in their own right. 1. Princess Sita
From: The Ramayana 2. Princess Shakunthala
From: The Mahabharata; also subject of a famous play by Kalidasa 3. Princess Damayanti
From: The Mahabharata 4. Princess Rukmini
From: The Mahabharata 5. Princess Subhadra
From: The Mahabharata 6. Princess Samyuktha
From: A real-life Rajput princess And what of Draupadi or Jhansi ki Rani? I suppose I think of them more as “queens” – with stories perhaps a little too complex for the toddler set. Just a minor qualification. Images (top to bottom): Google Images, Sita: Daughter of Earth (Graphic Novel), Artword, Damayanti and the Swan print from art.com, Yadukul, Google images, Rajput Princess print from dollsofindia.com | |||||
| |||||
|
Wherever you stand on the issue of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, he was indeed an inspirational and iconic figure. In my home state of Andhra Pradesh, where he was born – in the village of Puttaparthi – he was worshipped as a God-equivalent. He directed many towards a path of goodness. And if even just for this, he will undeniably be missed. One of my favourite Sai Baba quotes is a simple one – but one that I believe is an irrefutable truth of parenthood: A sapling can be helped to grow straight, but once it becomes a tree it cannot be guided in its growth. Sri Sathya Baba will be buried today (yes, buried – as is the custom for those esteemed by Hindus as holy men) with full state honours, his body wrapped in orange clothes. Image via sathya-sai-baba.org | |||||
| |||||
|
Our April Newsletter is out, and this month it’s all about spring sangeet! Music is a fantastic way to connect with kids. Although musical talent and ability starts from a very young age, most formal music lessons – be it piano, violin or Indian instruments – are not available until kids reach the age of 5 or 6. And understandably so – children are only beginning to refine their fine motor skills so their young hands may not be able to perform complicated maneuvers on keys or strings. But young kids can still learn music on a simple instrument such as a xylophone. The color-coded keys lend themselves to an easy and natural way of learning the basic musical notes, or swaras, and the instrument’s simplicity builds musical confidence in kids – a perfect starter instrument! Here are some exercises to teach kids the basics of Indian classical music (Carnatic or Hindustani) on the xylophone. Starting with short, brief lessons, you can eventually move on to having kids learn 2 basic songs – Kamala Sulochana and Vara Veena Mridu Pani – songs which virtually all students of Carnatic string and wind instruments start with. Of course this process will take time and persistence, but the benefits are many – kids will learn the virtues of practice and persistence, gain musical agility and connect with our culture! 1. First, you’ll need a xylophone. The basic 8-note plastic models are fine to start with, but you’ll eventually want something with at least 12 keys. We recommend Basic Beat 12-Note Glockenspiel. If you’re not familiar with Carnatic/Hindustani swaras (notes) – here they are: sa, ri, ga, ma, pa, da, ni, sa (much like the Western Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do). NOTE: for the second swara, ri is used in Carnatic music and Hindustani uses re. Now we’re ready for our first song – Kamala Sulochana. This song is played in Eka-tala and Raga Anandha-bhairavi. Before we start the song, we play the musical scale of this Raga – called Arohana when we ascend the scale and Avarohana when we descend the scale. These are the notes that we use in the song, so have your child play: Here is the song (full page printout here). Take your time, learn slowly and enjoy!
Another beautiful song is Vara Veena Mridu Pani. This song is played in Roopaka-tala and Raga Mohana. Full page printout here
**NOTE: Given the limitations of the xylophone, the notes are simplified. E.g., both songs use the second “ri” (r2), but only “ri” is used here. | |||||
| |||||
|
Do you feel alone sometimes in your efforts to raise bicultural or bilingual children? That there are not enough quality resources that offer guidance? I was introducted to InCultureParent last month – “an online magazine for parents raising little global citizens” – and have been slowly perusing through the wealth of information offered on the site. From Q+A’s with notable linguists to personal accounts of a nanny’s impression of multicultural households and tales of breastfeeding in Mongolia, it’s a refreshing source of support and inspiration in navigating your kids through a dominant-culture society. This month, the magazine features Holi (including craft ideas and a recipe for almond thandai) and Nowruz. So check it out and join the discussion! Update: InCultureParent was featured in the New York Times today! Read the article here. | |||||
| |||||
|
This post is authored by Sheena Patel – founder of wellness boutique Savsani. Sheena has taught classes in positive psychology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, yogic principals at Harvard Business School and stress management at Massachusetts General Hospital. Savsani offers comprehensive wellness programs for individual and corporate clients. Become a yoga role model for your next generation! This article will give you some tips on how to help your kids get into the yoga spirit. People are interesting creatures. Next time you are around another parent, observe how they talk to their child. Is the child paying attention to the parent? You may notice the child looking away in the opposite direction, or playing with her hair, but odds are that she is not paying attention. You may find yourself in the same position with your little ones when you are trying to lecture them on something that they just might not be listening to. So what do you do? Children of course don’t like to listen and and as they get older, it only gets worse. The best way to encourage good habits is for parents to set an example. Children are not likely to forget something they see in action. As Indians we are truly blessed with the wealth of knowledge on how to live a fulfilling and successful life through techniques from the Vedas. So why not implement those techniques and become profound role models for our little ones? You can start by practicing the asanas that SavSani had recommended in last month’s article Resolution Yoga :: One Asana a Day Keeps the Doctor Away. Just pull out your mat first thing in the morning and start practicing. Make it a routine for yourself and encourage your little one to join in – he or she will surely be intrigued. As you make yoga part of your routine, your little one will recognize the importance of this daily ritual. You probably won’t even need to say anything – they will soon be trying to copy and practice by your side. But beware! Soon enough they might be practicing a better cobra or bridge than you as their bodies haven’t yet been infused with stress and tension. Giving kids the gift of yoga is one of the best gifts that you can give them. Not only will it stay with them for the rest of their lives, but it will also be something that they can remember you by. Being on the mat side by side is truly a beautiful connection you can have with them in that special quite place where your energy is purely positive. So this February continue to practice the asanas that were given to you in January, but this time make sure that you have a little friend or two by your side to keep you company and perhaps even practice with you. Happy yoga-ing! Disclaimer: As with any physical activity, please consult with your primary care physician before practicing.
© 2011 SavSani Image via Google Images | |||||
| |||||
|
Those in my circle of near and dear already know how much I adore these 2 CDs of world lullabies – they are my absolute favourite items to gift for new babies. And shame on me for not posting about these earlier. The World Sings Goodnight – Volume 1 and Volume 2 – each contain roughly 32 tracks of lullabies from almost every corner of the world – Senegal, Egypt, France, Ethiopia, Korea, Japan, Argentina…and the list goes on. For the first volume, creators Susan and Tom Wasinger spent over 2 years collecting the songs. (Tom Wasinger was recently profiled in Boulder Magazine – where he talks more about the making of the album). The beauty of the lullabies is that they are almost a cappella – with little or no instrumental accompaniment – just as though mom, dad (or grandma) were singing. During these long winter nights, I love to curl up with my kids and listen to these beautiful lullabies – it’s like we’re travelling and connecting with a global humanity. What a gift. | |||||
| |||||
|
Something about starting a New Year that evokes relentless nostalgia – like I didn’t do enough to capture all the things that happened the year before. As though the memories were slipping through my fingers – like water – and in the end, what was I left with? One of the things I resolve to do this year is to be a better documentarian of my kids. I saw this idea for a memory jar sometime last year – where you scribble something funny or memorable that your kids said on a piece of paper and put it in a jar. Somehow, this simple project always got pushed down on the choses a faire, but I finally grabbed an old jam jar, cut up some paper and made our little shrine. The first note that made it into the jar was something my son said last year when we were talking about planets (he had been learning about them in his preschool). I said Pluto was my favourite planet, and he had to remind me, “But, Mommy, Pluto’s not a planet anymore.” Tears to my eyes, I tell you. | |||||
| |||||
|
I am loving these paintings by Kolkata artist Krishnendu Chaki for my kids rooms. They are from a collection entitled Folk Tale. They are happy, colourful and remind me of Indian folk art – kalighat maybe?
Images from Mon Art Gallerie (available for purchase) |
 Newer Entries |
Older Entries |
