Category Archives: Nri’s / Pio’s

Local talent will take the stage at the MACArts Festival

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

MISSISSAUGA Arts Council is putting Mississauga’s talent on the world’s stage with the MACArts Festival.

“We’re bringing the world together through art, and we want to make sure the great talent in this city is there,” Ken Jones, president of the Mississauga Arts Council said. “We want to make sure that this world-class talent has an audiences here at home, and abroad.”

This inaugural event will feature homegrown talent on the main stage Glenn Chipkar and the Big Swing Shift Band. Chipkar grew up in Mississauga and began singing the songs of the big band era 10 years ago. The show was created as a tribute to his father, and Chipkar’s been entertaining the GTA ever since.

The Mississauga Pops are has been a part of the city’s music scene for the past 30 years, and their brining their expertise to the stage in a Broadway medley that features the vocal talents of City Centre Musical Productions. This is a local collaboration not to be missed.

Sampradaya Dance Creations will also create a piece that is exclusive to the festival, the piece will feature talented dancers trained in this city by the amazing Lata Pada, C.M. Founder, Artistic Director of Sampradaya Dance. Pada has contributed extensively to the South Asian Dance community here in mississauga and internationally, and received the Order of Canada for her efforts.

Children’s group Sonshine and Broccoli, will also take the stage! The pair met at Sheridan College, and have been making children smile ever since! The pair have created two albums and a show, titled “I Want to Be” and they will perform Saturdayafternoon in the Square.
The amphitheater will also feature multiple emerging local acts including blues artist Donna King, local vocal trio 3 Mezzos, and singer songwriter Jason James.

The MACArts Festival is in its inaugural year, and we’re bringing the world together through art!

MACArtsFestival
Saturday September 19
Celebration Square in Mississauga
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Featuring a medley of arts vendor booths, visual artist exhibitions, storytelling and lectures, craftwork, and live performing arts – showcasing emerging, established and multicultural talent. The festival will feature top talent such as Glenn Chipkar and the Big Shift Swing Band, Sampradaya Dance Creations, the Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization, Marie Ann Longlade School of Dance, and more.

Short URL: http://www.voiceonline.com/?p=46407

source: http://www.voiceonline.com / The Indo Canadian Voice / Home / by Rattan Mall / Monday – September 14th, 2015

Want to be part of a Guinness World Records attempt for the largest street dance?

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

Pavan Thimmaiah & PMT Dance Company have been asked to choreograph the world’s largest street dance to be performed live on national TV. They need dancers to help them to make Guinness World Records history. Here is all the information you need to participate:

Performance Date: Wednesday, September 9th, 2015

Time: 5:00-9:00 a.m.

Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza

Requirements: Be able to learn and perform a 5 minute Hip Hop/Street Dance choreography.

Commit to one 4-hour rehearsal day; it is required. The various options available are between September 3-September 6.

Participants can NOT be minors.

Participants can NOT be in a guild or union.

To sign up or for more info, email: pmthouseofdance@aol.com by September 2nd.

source: http://www.today.com / Today / Home> Today Pop Culture / September 03rd, 2015

Top Grads: Grand Haven High School announces top 10 in class of 2015

Education, Nri's / Pio's

Grand Haven High School has announced its top 10 graduates of the class of 2015. (MLive file photo)
Grand Haven High School has announced its top 10 graduates of the class of 2015. (MLive file photo)

Grand Haven, MI

Grand Haven High School has announced its top 10 scholars in the class of 2015.

Varun Biddanda finished at the top of the class and Adam Greer finished second. Here are the top 10 graduates listed according to class rank:

Varun Biddanda
Varun Biddanda

Varun D. Biddanda, son of Dr. Bopi and Kavitha Biddanda. He was an all-conference varsity tennis player, concertmaster for the chamber orchestra, a member of Science Olympiad, winner of the Norbert Muller Concerts Competition and recipient of the Harvard Book Prize Award. He plans to study biology in college.

Adam Greer
Adam Greer

Adam J. Greer, son of Jay and Patti Greer. He was a member of the National Honor Society leadership team and the Youth Advisory Council; an all-district, all conference honorable mention varsity soccer player; president of the Catalina Club; an AP Scholar; October Rotary student; and distinguished academic leader; and participated in chamber orchestra, GOTAK, Science Olympiad, swing dance club, Interact Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan.

Lauren R. Richardson, daughter of Tom and Jordan Richardson. She participated in color guard, winter guard, National Honor Society, chamber orchestra, dance and the ultimate Frisbee club; was a Rotary student of the month; and earned an AP Scholar Award. She plans to pursue a business-related degree.

Stephanie R. Shantz, daughter of Bob and Cindy Shantz. She was captain of the varsity swimming and varsity water polo teams, an officer in the Catalina Club, a member of the National Honor Society, an academic-all-state athlete and a Rotary Student of the month and won numerous scholar-athlete awards and the Outstanding Junior award from Michigan State University. She plans to attend the University of Michigan, California-Berkley or Stanford University to study industrial and operations engineering.

Elinor J. Scholtz, daughter of John and April Scholtz. She participated in Science Olympiad, geology club and National Honor Society; was co-chair of the Youth Advisory Council for the Grand Haven Community Foundation; was senior drum major for the marching band; and was first chair flute in wind ensemble and pit orchestra. She plans to attend Vanderbilt University to study communication of science and technology.

Justin L. Merriman, son of Brian and Maria Merriman. He participated in National Honor Society, varsity cross country and the Celtic music group GOTAK; was viola section leader of the chamber orchestra; was president of the Buccaneer Original Swing Society; and was Rotary student of the month. He plans to pursue a degree in computer science.

David C. Kooistra, son of Bill and Shelley Kooistra. He participated in National Honor Society and student senate; was first chair bass in chamber orchestra, for which he received superior ratings at the state level; was captain of the Catalina Club; and was captain and goalie of the water polo team, receiving all-conference, all-regional and all-state honorable mention awards. He plans to attend the University of Michigan’s school of kinesiology to study movement science.

Brent M. Petersen, son of Paul and Stacey Petersen. He participated in National Honor Society and track and was captain of the cross country and varsity hockey teams, earning academic all-state honors in both. He plans to attend Cedarville University to study mechanical engineering.

Erin L. Crandle, daughter of Marci and Dave Hammond. She was Rotary student of the month, had multiple pieces of art in the Grand Haven High School art show, received several scholarships and was a finalist in Michigan State University’s ANRDS Scholarship competition. She plans to attend MSU to study food science.

Schaefer E. Thelen, son of Rex and Gwen Thelen. He participated in National Honor Society and track and field, was captain of the varsity football and basketball teams, was sports editor for the Bucs Blade, finished fourth in the state VFW Voice of Democracy contest, was a four-time Michigan Interscholastic Press Association first-place winner, and was a Centralis Honors Scholarship winner. He plans to attend the University of Michigan to study business.

Lynn Moore covers education for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at lmoore8@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

source: http://www.mlive.com / MLive Muskegon Chronicle / by Lynn Moore / Grand Haven, Michigan – June 09th, 2015

Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa pays homage to Charlie Parker his way

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion
Rudresh Mahanthappa / Jimmy Katz
Rudresh Mahanthappa / Jimmy Katz

Like so many of today’s most interesting jazz musicians, the saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa regularly creates disparate contexts, hybrids, and concepts to develop new music. The son of Indian immigrants, he’s explored the music of the subcontinent in multiple environments: some have been explicit, such as the remarkable 2008 album Kinsmen (Pi), where he collaborated with the Indian classical-music saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath; others have been more subtle and integrated, such as the 2006 duets collection Raw Materials (Savoy) he made with pianist and fellow Indian-American Vijay Iyer. On other records he’s developed his compositions around cryptology and number theory (Codebook [Pi]), while yet another celebrated one of his mentors and musical heroes—the saxophonist Bunky Green.

His latest album is an homage to another key influence—Charlie Parker—but it’s also a rigorous compositional exercise wherein Mahanthappa isolates specific DNA from some of Bird’s most important compositions and solos to create new tunes that are, in most cases, utterly unrecognizable. Bird Calls (Act) is clever and consistently entertaining—it’s fun to tease out his conceptual acrobatics. His piece “Maybe Later” retains the rhythmic patterns of Parker’s definitive solo on “Now’s the Time” but totally changes the notes, while “Both Hands” rejiggers the melody line of Bird’s “Dexterity” by removing all of its rests, which transforms the tune into a breakneck tangle. Jazz has a long tradition of musicians writing new tunes based on the chord changes of standards, and Mahanthappa indulges in this practice only once: the lovely ballad “Sure Why Not?,” which is derived from both “Confirmation” and “Barbados,” songs that moved at much swifter tempos. The most explicit Parker quote comes on “Talin is Thinking,” which nabs a seven-note phrase from the melody of “Parker’s Mood.”

In his liner notes Mahanthappa explains his desire to pay tribute to Parker with predictable readings of his repertoire. “Imitating Parker is of no consequence to forwarding this form, but developing new perspectives upon tradition is the substance of contemporary expression,” he writes. Instead, the Mahanthappa demonstrates the lessons of the bebop patriarch through a transformation of ideas into something modern.

Ultimately, however, Mahanthappa’s exercises probably benefit him and his excellent bandmates more than the average listener, because Bird Calls stands easily on its own, without any knowledge of its conceptual underpinnings. He’s joined by his longtime bassist François Moutin, the pianist Matt Mitchell (a valuable collaborator of Tim Berne’s and Dave Douglas’s), drummer Rudy Royston (Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas), and the dazzling 20-year-old trumpeter Adam O’Farrill (son of pianist Arturo O’Farrill), and they engage fully with the compositions by matching the leader’s fire at every turn. Both on a series of five short pieces (“Bird Calls”) and the brainy reinventions, the band seizes on the opportunities offered by Mahanthappa’s flinty, jagged, multivalent writing. “Bird Calls #5,” for example, is a beautifully lyric, wandering solo from Mitchell, while “Bird Calls #3” is a fiercely slaloming alto solo by the leader.

Below you can hear the track “Chillin'”—a piece based on “Relaxin’ at Camarillo”—where fragments of the original are woven into the new piece (with a request from the composer to intersperse ideas from the Parker tune into individual improvisations as well).

Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa pays homage to Charlie Parker his way

source:http://www.chicagoreader.com / The Chicago Reader – The Bleeder / Home> – Music – Post No Bills / by Peter Margasak / February 13th, 2015

Hockey: Ambassador XI, Team Coorg hog limelight at Republic Day of Indian Hockey Festival

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion
Members of the Ambassador’s XI pose for a group photo after their title triumph. Photo – Supplied
Members of the Ambassador’s XI pose for a group photo after their title triumph. Photo – Supplied


Muscat:

Indian Ambassador XI and Team Coorg hogged the limelight at the eighth Republic Day of India Hockey Festival at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.

The festival was organised by Team Coorg and Friends of Naqvi Group to mark the 60th year of Indo-Oman diplomatic relations and 66th Republic Day of India under the patronage of Indian Embassy and the Oman Hockey Association (OHA).

Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul was the chief guest and OHA chairman Sheikh Mahfoodh Juma Al Juma was the guest of honour.

The festival was supported by Mohammed Rafiq & Partners LLC, Dr. Mujeeb Hussain (Amana Modern Medical Center), Sandeeep Gupta of Global Pioneer Solutions (GPS), Pocari Sweat (Muscat Pharmacy) and Quality Printing Press.
The matches were played in a festive atmosphere and hockey lovers and their families turned up in large numbers to witness the keenly fought matches.

In the first match, the Indian Ambassador XI met their match in the young Indian School Al Seeb and the full time score read 2-2. The Ambassador XI managed to retain the Ambassador Cup 2015 which they had won in 2014 also, prevailing by a 3-2 margin in thrilling penalty shootout.

In the second match, Team Coorg (Muscat) faced Beatrice Sports Club in an exciting tie for the Republic Day Cup 2015. Team Coorg met a strong challenge from Beatrice Sports Club and the final result of 3-2 in favour of the Team Coorg is an indicator of the closely contested match.

The proceedings commenced with a two minute silence in memory of the departed King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The choir from Indian School Al Seeb rendered the national anthems of Oman and India and were awarded with certificates signed by the Indian Ambassador.

A novel competition was organised on the occasion for young students and participants for correct recitation of the Indian National Anthem and all participants were awarded certificates by J.S. Mukul and Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma.

The organisers also came up with a unique gesture to honour several personalities for their contribution to promotion of hockey — Mustafa Lawati (former OHA general secretary), Mohammed Shambeh Al Raisi (former member of FIH Development Committee), Abdul Rehman (former national coach and international umpire), Belu Kuttappa (Manager, Team Coorg), Mohammed Osama Rawat (Festival Coordinator), Shakunthala Boppanna (athlete and national player) and Mohammed Irfan (Organizing Committee). Media personalities were also honoured.

Inayat Naqvi, former Bombay XI player and national umpire, was presented with a memento for his admirable services as the trustee of the NGO Abhi Foundation for supporting under privileged children and providing them with free kit for hockey, football and athletics and appointing trained coaches for them.

The Ambassador of India expressed his gratitude for celebrating Republic Day of India and congratulated all participants, spectators and sponsors. Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma also praised the organisation of the festival and congratulated the Indian Ambassador.

SAS Naqvi, former technical advisor of Oman Olympic Committee and now a sports consultant, proposed vote of thanks and acknowledged the support and services rendered by the sponsors, participants and media, while thanking the special guests

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home> Sports / by Times News Service / January 27th, 2015

Nikhil Chinappa Collaborates with Jay Sean for ‘Aashiq Mizaaj’ Remix

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

JaySeanKF16nov2014

DJ and MTV VJ Nikhil Chinappa recently invited Jay Sean to India, specially to work on the new mix under his company Submerge Music. Chinappa and Jay are working on remixing the track “Aashiq Mizaaj” from Lisa Haydon, Akshay Kumar-starrer film “The Shaukeens.”

The original track “Ashiq Mizaj” has been composed by Hard Kaur and sung by Aman Trikha. Nikhil, who is a fan of Kaur’s work wanted to remix the number ever since he heard it for the first time.

We hear that he picked Jay Sean because of the unique spin he adds to desi tracks. He wants it to be a tribute to the singer.

Apparently, Jay too has loved the song so much that he has been listening to it on loop. He even called her up to congratulate her on track.

Chinappa plans to add his own twist to the track, and hopes that Hard Kaur will love it. Let’s see whether the remix ups the energy of the original song.

source: http://www.indiawest.com / India West / Home> News> Entertainment / by Suparna Thombare, India West Staff / November 06th, 2014

MLA’s son ties knot in US

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's

MLAsSonKF13nov2014

Madikeri MLA Mandepanda P. Appachu Ranjan celebrated his eldest son Dr. Mandepanda Vikram Poovaiah’s wedding with Vietnamese scientist Kim at a ceremony held at Laguna Beach, California recently.

Appachu Ranjan’s son, who is settled in USA and works as a Principal Chip Designer, got married in traditional Kodava wedding style.

The ceremony was attended by the MLA’s wife Shyla, his second son Dr. Cariappa, daughter Ksheera and about 30 family members along with some relatives of the bride.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Friday, November 07th, 2014

Hockey festival thrills fans, marks Indian I-Day

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion

TeamCoorgKF23aug2014

Muscat :

To mark the 68th Independence Day of India, under the patronage of Indian Embassy in Oman and Oman Hockey Association (OHA), the Friends of Naqvi Group and Team Coorg organised an exciting hockey festivity at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on August 8.

Two festival matches, one for the Ambassadors Cup and the other for the seventh edition of Independence Day of India 2014 Cup, were played under the flood light at the lush green hockey astro turf. JS Mukul, Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate, was the chief guest and Shaikh Mahfood Ali Juma al Juma was the guest of honour.

The other sports dignitaries present were the OHA- secretary-general Redha Taqi Lawati, the Secretary-General of Oman Cricket Madhu Jesrani and the former Indian hockey player Sultan Abbas Naqvi.
The Indian Embassy XI lifted the Ambassadors Cup defeating Indian School Al Seeb 2-1 and the Oman Veterans XI lifted the Independence Day Of India 2014 Cup defeating Team Coorg Muscat 6-3 in the presence of hockey lovers of all ages.

“We got ample chance to score but could not capitalise it in the absence of our star forward Zaman,” said Team Coorg manager Belu Kuttappa.

The prizes and other citations were given away by JS Mukul, Madhu Jesrani and Redha Taqi Lawati.
The excitement of evening for the children below 10 years of age was the Indian national anthem recitation competition which was judged by Kanchan Bijlani and Farheen Khan.

This patriotic activity will now be a regular feature in years to come.

“I am quite pleased and charged to see such a massive attendance of the hockey lovers of Oman from all communities at the stadium, who have turned in such a large number to mark the independence celebration of India through this hockey festivity,” said veteran hockey ace SAS Naqvi who has indeed pledged his entire life for the promotion hockey in India and Oman.

The event was supported by Khimji Ramdas, Raha Poly products and Pokari (Muscat Pharmacy) and BG.
The vote of Thanks was given by Mohammad Osama Rawat.

source: http://www.main.omanobserver.om / Oman Daily Observer / Home> Sports / by Oman Observer / Sunday – August 10th, 2014

Hockey matches to commemorate Independence Day of India

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion

Muscat :

The Friends of Naqvi Group and Team Coorg, under the patronage of Embassy of India Muscat and Oman Hockey Association, will be organising the 68th Independence Day celebrations hockey festivity at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on August 8 from 7pm to 9:30pm.

The Ambassador XI will play against Indian School Al Seeb and the Team Coorg Muscat will lock horns with Oman Veteran’s XI, a press release said on Tuesday.

HE JS Mukul, the Ambassador of India to Sultanate of Oman, will be the Chief Guest and Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma, Chairman Oman Hockey Association, will be the Guest of honor.

“This event is organised for the last 7 years in row. Hockey events like this – The Dhyan Chand Day and The Republic Day of India Hockey celebration – are the regular events organised by Team Coorg Muscat.

“We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to HE JS Mukul, The Ambassador of India to Sultanate of Oman who is regularly presiding such hockey festivities on a regular basis and express our sincere thanks to Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma, the Chairman of Oman Hockey Association for his kind gesture in arranging the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Hockey Stadium for this event”, said veteran hockey player, administrator and coach SAS Naqvi.

The event is supported by Khimji Ramdas Group of Companies, Raha Poly Product and Pocari (Muscat Pharmacy).

There is also some surprise in store for children below 10 years of age.

Oman Tribune
source: http://www.omantribune.com / Oman Tribune / Home> Sports / Muscat – August 2014

Kodagu girl dabbling in OZ politics

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

Charisma Kaliyanda with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Charisma Kaliyanda with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard

Mysore :

Kaliyanda Charisma is in the thick of Australian politics. She is currently running up for election to the State Parliament of New South Wales, which is one of the States of Australia. “I hope to be elected in March 2015, at which time I will work hard to represent the constituents of the seat of Holsworthy” she said. Charisma is contesting from Holsworthy on a ticket from the Australian Labor Party, who have selected her as their candidate to contest the upcoming State election.

“I was inspired to become involved in politics by three incidents that all occurred around the same time. Firstly, my University (University of New South Wales) was making big changes to our degrees and I was complaining in class when one of my classmates asked me “what are you going to do about it?” She invited me to stand with her friends for election to the Student Representative Council (SRC) of UNSW. I realised I was just wasting my breath by complaining without taking any action, so I joined my classmate and her friends. The following year, I was elected President of the UNSW SRC,” said Charisma, speaking to Star of Mysore.

“Secondly, as part of my studies I travelled on exchange to Mexico. Here, I realised the value of being involved in politics — if people from all walks of life are not involved in politics then the decisions that are made cannot be representative of society as a whole,” she said.

“Finally, it was around this time that I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This experience made me realise that the health system we have in Australia is fantastic, and that health and education are so important to being able to succeed in life. So, I got involved in local politics,” said Charisma.

Charisma is an occupational therapist by profession. Her experience with the health system there led her to get Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney. “I love working in paediatrics, which is why I completed a program working at a school for children with physical disabilities in Mumbai last year,” she said.

About her background, Charisma said that she is the daughter of Kaliyanda Jaya and Banumathi, from Kolakeri village, Madikeri taluk, Kodagu. Banumathi is working for NSW railways. She and her brother were born in Bangalore. When she was around four years old, her parents decided to migrate to Australia. “Although the size of the Kodava community in Sydney has increased in recent years, it was relatively small when we were growing up. However, despite having lived in Australia for over 20 years, my parents have ensured that we have never forgotten our roots, our language and our traditions,” said Charisma.

“I have always found it a privilege to be able to share my heritage, particularly with Australian friends, as Australia’s multicultural society celebrates the richness of different cultures. We speak Kodava thakk at home, and make sure to celebrate Kailpodhu, Puthari and Kaveri Shankramana with not only our Kodava friends but also our non-Kodava friends. The Kodava community in Sydney gets together for our festivals every year, but we also celebrate at home. My friends love my mum’s pandhi curry and wotti” she said.

“My family is extremely supportive – they have always encouraged me to pursue my goals wholeheartedly. I am lucky that we have been able to visit family and friends in India every 3-4 years. My father is Kaliyanda Jaya, from Kolakeri and my mother, Chottera Bhanumathy, is from Kunjalageri. We still have family and friends living in Coorg and Bangalore, however, we make it a point to visit our grandmother in Kunjalageri, whenever we are in India,” she said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 10th, 2014