Hari Om Parents,
Below was covered in the last class.
Shloka Chanting:
We started the class with opening prayers and revised all the aartis and pledge from the handbook since it was our grade's turn to lead in the assembly.
Gita Chanting:
Class revised and chanted along with Bhagavad Gita Video of Chap 5, Verses 12 & 13
Link:
Lesson:
Indian Music:
In this section, covered the following points with the help of this presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18KiMwXmF5-61EtDOvhKiUO3eSJKfKguUQSviso5lm5I/edit?usp=sharing
Started with icebreaker questions: How many students have training in vocal and instrumental training
What Is Music?
Differences Between Indian and Western Music
What are Svaras?
Type of Svaras
Symbolism of Svaras
Raga: The Soul of Indian Music
Examples of Raga
Tala: The Rhythm of Indian Music
Styles of Indian Music
Musical Instruments of India
Instruments Adorned By Our Gods and Goddesses
Naad (Sound) - Aahat vs Anahat Naad
Music As Worship
Today's music class was highly engaging. Many students, already familiar with vocal and instrumental training, demonstrated a good understanding of topics like swara, raga, and tala. However, they were fascinated to learn about the differences between Indian and Western music, the distinction between melody and harmony, the legend of Tansen, various folk music traditions across India, and the unique characteristics of Hindustani and Carnatic musical instruments.
We also watched a few short videos, including:
The difference between melody and harmony
A singer performing a different raga for each month of the year
An explanation of taala
Review of Mahabharata topics from last year:
Pandavas in the forest: When the Pandavas began their journey into the forest, there were many Brahmins and citizens who wanted to follow them. Although Yudhishthira was deeply moved, he had to request them not to do so because he could not take care of them and provide for them in the forest, but the people would not listen. Yudhishthira then sought the advice of Dhaumya who suggested that Yudhishthira should pray to Sun God, the provider for all on earth. Yudhishthira did as he was told and soon, Sun God appeared before him and offered him a vessel called Akshayapatra. It was Sun God's promise that they would not have to worry about food for 12 years and it would provide them all the food for the day till Draupadi was done eating.
Arjuna's acquisition of divine weapons: Sage Vyasa also told Yudhishthira to send Arjuna to acquire the weapons of Rudra, Varuna, Kubera and Yama in preparation for battle. Class narrated the story of Arjuna getting the blessings of lord Shiva and attaining Pashupatastra.
Later Arjuna Arjuna visits his father Indra and learns to use several weapons including Indrats thunderbolt. Arjuna also learnt music and dance from Chitrasena. During the stay, Urvasi, a celestial nymph, curses Arjuna to live as a eunuch among females. This curse ultimately proved useful during the Pandavas' year of exile when Arjuna had to remain incognito, allowing him to become the dance teacher Brihannala.
Duryodhana's Plot and His Capture: Under the excuse of checking on the cattle grazing at Dwaitavana, Duryodhana took a big group of people and wanted to show off the luxury that they were enjoying while the poor Pandavas had nothing. But at the entrance to the forest, the Gandharvas would not let them in. When Duryodhana ordered his soldiers to fight against them, it only led to their defeat. Gandharvas took Duryodhana as hostage and with Yudhisthira's intervention, Arjuna and Bhima rescued him and he went back to Hastinapura in shame.
Jayadratha Punished: Jayadratha, king of Sindhu was attracted to Draupadi by her beauty and tried to forcefully take her away. Bhima and Arjuna went after Jayadratha and punished him hair was shaved.
Kavacha and Kundala: Indra, knowing that Karna would be a fearsome enemy of the Pandavas, decided to take away Kama's Kundala and Kavacha. But Sun God, Karna's father, appeared in Karna's dream and warned him. When Karna seemed determined to give whatever Indra may ask for, Sun God suggested that Karna should in turn, seek the weapon Shakti from Indra. Later Indra came as a Brahmin and after Karna had prayed to Sun God, asked for the kundala and kavacha. Karna indicated to Indra that he knew who he was and asked him to grant a boon in turn, especially as Karna would be very weak without his armor. Indra granted him his boon - the weapon Shakti but also warned Karna that he could only use it on one enemy.
Yuddhishtira meets Dharma: Pandavas hear the cry of a Brahmin who was shocked when a deer took away his fire sticks and mortar that the brahmin had kept ready for his puja. When the Pandavas chased the deer, they were soon lost in the forest. They were disappointed and puzzled when the deer almost magically disappeared. While they were discussing the incident, Yudhishthira asked Nakula to fetch water from a nearby lake. So Nakula headed on. When he reached the lake, a voice from nowhere warned him that unless some questions were answered before Nakula drank any water, he would die. Nakula, being thirsty as he was, ignored the warning and fell dead immediately upon drinking some water. Yudhishthira sent his other three brothers one after the other to check upon the delay, until none of them returned. When Yudhishthira went after them and heard the warning voice, he expressed his willingness to answer the questions. The questions were all profound dharmic ones that Yudhishthira answered perfectly. We discussed a few questions in the class. Though the questions were tricky, the class had fun answering them.
At the end, the Yaksha, made himself visible to Yudhishthira and offered to bring back one of the four dead Pandavas back to life. Yudhishthira asked for the life of Sahadeva, instead of that of strong Bhima or skilled Arjuna, because he wanted at least one son of Madri to be alive. Surprisingly, all the Pandavas immediately sprang back to life. The Yaksha showed his true identity - that of Dharma, Yudhishthira's father. Dharma expressed great joy at Yudhishthira's understanding of dharmic principles and his compassionate act in asking for Sahadeva's life. When Dharma offered to grant a boon to the Pandavas, their request was that they should not be recognized by any one in the thirteenth year of exile. Their boon was willingly granted by Dharma who told them that they could all take any forms they wished any time during the thirteenth year and be completely incognito. With this boon, the Pandavas could be confident of completing the punishment inflicted on them by the cheating Kauravas.
Class Presentation: Our class chose to have a game show for our presentation on March 23rd. We discussed the process and assigned roles to all the kids. We will be updating the role/responsibility on the google sheet.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vQKlmOf8PCnSYuBB3Oa5eGBq-sObz591D9n9VXEBbgQ/edit?usp=sharing
