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Saturday, September 12, 2020
10am to 1pm EST
Registration fee: $15

Final Session of 237 INDIA: CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND GANDHI of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of American University at the Gandhi Memorial Center

May 3 – Influences in the Life of Gandhi

Srimati Karuna is the Director of the Gandhi Memorial Center. She received her B.A. in International Studies, M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and M.A. in Teaching, all from American University. Throughout the year she speaks at universities, schools, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as for various professional, social, and religious groups that visit the Gandhi Memorial Center. She was invited by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (part of India’s Ministry of External Affairs) as Distinguished Visitor in 2010 and as part of a global delegation in 2019 to attend the Kumbh Mela. She has collaborated with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute since 2008 to bring OLLI members to the Gandhi Center for classes on Indian culture and traditions.

237 INDIA: CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND GANDHI

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

PRESENTATION BY INDIA-INSPIRED ARTIST: Shanthi Chandrasekar

Shanthi is a self-taught artist who has been drawing, painting and sculpting since early childhood. While much of her work is influenced by her Indian heritage, her true inspiration comes from the mystery and majesty of the world around her; her muse lives where the scientific overlaps with the spiritual. Known for the vibrancy of her works, Shanthi uses a wide variety of media, including paint, ink, wood, and stone. She is also interested in doll-making, embroidery and ethnic crafts. Shanthi offers lessons, workshops and residencies at her studio as well as at local art centers and schools. Her studio is located in Bethesda, Maryland. www.shanthic.com

237 INDIA: CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND GANDHI

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

MUSIC AND LIFE OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE:

Dr. Sudeshna Basu grew up in Kolkata, India. After training under the tutelage of the famous Hindustani Classical Vocalist, Smt. Meera Bandyopadhaya of Patiala Gharana, she started taking lessons on Rabindrasnageet from them maestro Sr Ashoketaru Bandyopadya. Currently, she is taking lessons in Dhrupad from the famous Gundecha Brothers. An empaneled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Sudeshna had her first solo performance at Calcutta’s prestigious Sisir Mancha. Soon after she was invited to sing for West Bengal State Music Academy’s “Young Artist Series.” Apart from all over India, she has performed extensively in the US, UK, Germany, Canada and Bangladesh. She has broadcast on many radio stations including All India Radio, Voice of America, Friends FM and others. She has been featured in Television Channels such as Doordarshan Kendra India (National Television India), Tara Music, Kolkata TV, Asian Television (USA) and Toronto TV (Canada).  She has conducted several workshops both in India and abroad. Sudeshna has recorded ten audio albums. Bhavna Records released her first album directed by the legendary musician, V. Balsara. Her three latest projects are all recorded under the label of His Master’s Voice/Saregama India. A mathematician by training, Dr. Basu is equally passionate about music. She is currently on the faculty at George Washington University, Department of Mathematics.

Mr. Jeffrey Bauer received his musical training from the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance, and at the University of Maryland where he earned a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology. Mr. Bauer contributes his musical talents through arranging and composing musical presentations for special functions at the Gandhi Memorial Center. Mr. Bauer is also a minster of music for the Self-Revelation Church where he has shared his talents for over 30 years. Mr. Bauer offers private piano instruction in his studio in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Mr. Fred Dixon is trained in vocal music and has for many years been associated with the Gandhi Memorial Center and the Self-Revelation Church.

237 INDIA: CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND GANDHI

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

SACRED ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA:

Mrs. Amita Sarin taught several courses on Indian architectural history and sacred architecture as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Maryland and Georgetown University. She also led tours to India for many years for the Smithsonian Institution and other organizations.

OLLI 237 INDIA: CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND GANDHI

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

Indian Sculpture: A Study of Shiva Iconography:

Dr. S. Selvin Kumar earned his PhD in history from Madurai Kamaraj University, where he taught as a lecturer in medieval history. He has authored books on the cultural history of India and specifically on the history of Madurai.  In the US he has worked to promote the study of Tamil culture through the International Tamil University and he provides educational service and philanthropy in India and abroad.

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019: Introduction to Kuchipudi Dance:

Mrs. Anuradha Nehru is the founder and artistic director of the Kalanidhi Dance School and Company. An award-winning Kuchipudi dancer, teacher and choreographer, Anuradha has taught dance for over 25 years in the US, and many of her students have become outstanding young classical dancers in their own right and are now dancing professionally. Anuradha has been recognized by the Governor of Maryland for her dedicated service to the arts and has been supported by the Maryland State Arts Council. In 2016, Anuradha received the Montgomery County Executive Outstanding Artist Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities.  She is one of the founding members of the Indian Dance Educators’ Association.  www.kalanidhi.org 

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

Dr. Moazzam Siddiqi has a Masters in Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures, and a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and South Asian Studies, both from the University of California at Berkeley. He taught at UC-Berkeley, University of Virginia at Charlottesville and Duke University in North Carolina before joining the Voice of America in 1984. He held a number of management positions, including Chief, Urdu and Hindi Services; Director, North Africa, Near East and South Asia Division; and Director, South and Central Asia Division. He retired from the Federal Government in 2006. 

OLLI: 237 INDIA: CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND GANDHI

Join us for an exploration of the rich cultural diversity of India. Each week we will engage in interactive sessions with guest presenters including musicians, dancers, artists and scholars from the Indian sub-continent. Come listen to musicians trained in the classical and folk music traditions of India and see classical Indian dance. Specially invited artists will provide demonstrations to add to your appreciation of these art forms. Other speakers will introduce the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as bring an understanding of the origins of Indian languages, which vary from state to state and even village to village. Class members will also be offered tastes of India, with food samples. Each session will add a new layer of culture and tradition.

An Introduction to Gandhi:

Srimati Karuna is the Director of the Gandhi Memorial Center. She received her B.A. in International Studies, M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and M.A. in Teaching, all from American University. Throughout the year she speaks at universities, schools, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as for various professional, social, and religious groups that visit the Gandhi Memorial Center. She was invited by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (part of India’s Ministry of External Affairs) as Distinguished Visitor in 2010 and as part of a global delegation in 2019 to attend the Kumbh Mela. She has collaborated with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute since 2008 to bring OLLI members to the Gandhi Center for classes on Indian culture and traditions.