March 28, 2025- Grade 5(Friday)
Hari Om Parents,
We started our class by writing Likhitha jaapa (writing the name of any Ishta devata god's name) and chanted Nirvana Shatakam and Chapter5 of Bhagavad Gita all Slokas
We continued with India the sacred land. India is famous for its Art, Music and Dance.
Music:- There are three main kinds of Indian music. These are: Classical, Light, and Folk music. Classical music has two distinct styles: one is the North Indian which is known as the Hindustani style, and the other is the South Indian which is known as the Carnatic style.
Carnatic music is mainly devotional, and hence the lyrics are very important. In Carnatic music the singer is accompanied by violin for support and Mridangam for the rhythm.
Hindustani music is secular in nature and the lyrics do not have much importance. In Hindustani music, the singer is generally accompanied by Harmonium for support and the tabla for the rhythm.
Several Indian musical instruments adorn our Gods & Goddesses.
♦ Saraswathi- Veena
♦ Sage Narada -- Ektara
♦ Shiva -- Dhamaru
♦ Vishnu -- Conch
♦ Krishna -- Flute
Dance:- The most famous classical forms are Kathak of Uttar Pradesh, Odissi of Orissa, Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, Manipuri of Manipur, Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu, Kathakali and Mohiniattam of Kerala. All dance forms are structured around nine rasas or emotions, which are:
♦ Hasyam - happiness
♦ Krodham - anger
♦ Bibhastam - disgust
♦ Bhayam - fear
♦ Shokam - sorrow
♦ Víram - courage
♦ Karunyam - compassion
♦ Adbhutam - wonder
♦ Santam - serenity
Kathak:- It evolved from katha, storytelling. The style is said to have originated from the Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas (school). The main theme of both the schools is Radha and Krishna.
Odissi:- Odissi traces its origins to the ritual dances performed in the temples of Orissa, by the devadasi (servant of Gods). One of the oldest classical dance forms in the country.Odissi dancers use their head, bust, and torso in soft flowing movements to express specific moods and emotions.
Kuchipudi:- The dance form, Kuchipudi, developed in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Kuchipudi derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram and has its origins as far back as the third century BC. Kuchipudi was originally performed only by men. The themes are mostly derived from the scriptures and mythology. The most popular Kuchipudi dance is the pot dance in which a dancer keeps a pot filled with water on her head and her feet on a brass plate. She moves on stage manipulating the brass plate, with the feet kept on its rim and doing hand movements without spilling a drop of water on the ground.
Manipuri :- Manipur, the land of gems, is situated on the eastern frontier of India. The dance form associated with this state is known as Manipuri. The main theme of the dance is Krishna's Raas Leelas.
Bharatanatyam:- Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest dance forms of India. This dance originated in the state of Tamil Nadu, and was nurtured in the temples and courts of southern India. Traditionally, it was a solo performance by a woman.
Kathakali:- It is the mythological mimic dance drama of Kerala. Kathakali is based mostly on mythology and the themes of Radha and Krishna. Loud drums are played while the dance drama, depicting the courage of heroic kings and the cunningness of evil characters, is performed.
Mohiniyattam:- Mohiniyattam is a distinctive dance form of Kerala. Since Kathakali is a jealously guarded male preserve, Mohiniyattam is specially conceived for female dancers. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohiní, during the Churning of the Milky Ocean; the divine enchantress and the name Mohiniyattam, was thus created.
Folk Dances: - India is rich with her variety of folk dances like Bhangra, Garbha,Bihu,Kolatham.
Attaching pictures of Musical instruments and Dance forms.
It was time for Grade 7 play and we all headed to our Prayer hall.
We encourage parents to help kids to learn Chapter 5 of Bhagavad Gita along with other prayers taught in class.
Few Links for learning to chant.
1. Ganesha Panchratnam (Page 30 in My Prayers).
1.1. Link to rendition with lyrics in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4lZCKxeJFE or
1.2 Link: https://youtu.be/Oyo0FWP9fB8?si=ZaYVDepNkX0YWShI (play at lower speeds for kids to follow lyrics and hear clearly
2. Nirvana Shatakam (Printouts were shared)
2.1 https://youtu.be/rKx7K13OvQ4?si=lM6g_ZtX0kdF5Sfo - Uninterrupted Line Guided Chant - YouTube
3. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 (1-29 shlokas) is available in the 2024-25 year handbook. The link to Gita by our swamiji is as below.
https://youtu.be/1RnjJPiI9y0?si=_IeXKqpWjrPoqNbO
Please make sure to send the below to every Balavihar class.
1. An empty notebook to write Likhitha jaapa and notes.
2. Two sharpened pencils.
3. Daily Prayers book.
4. Balavihar Handbook
With Regards,
Anuradha & Shivram
