On Thursday the 17th of February at SAWCHU we had a chance to see a part of folk art from 120 youth who came from all over of India to participate on  National Integration Program held in Pondicherry. In about an hour long program we saw a group from the north of India with some songs and dancing, two groups from the south with dances and drumming, and boys group dancing on recorded music, and with colorful costumes.

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On the 1st of February 2010 at the Sri Aurobindo Auditorium in Bharat Nivas, Gordon Korstange presented a Carnatic flute recital accompanied by Umayalpuram Mali (mridangam) and Sri Balasundaram (violin)."I think about the 25 years I've been learning Carnatic music. I've had to become a musician without any background in western music; have constantly felt ignorant of things Indian musicians take for granted; have constantly wondered whether my music is authentic; and have spent most of my time hidden away in my practice room with a tanpora and photos of famous singer-saints on the walls alongside those of Sri Aurobindo and Mother. Does it sound a little like doing Their Yoga in the USA? Yes, a similar sense, often, of dislocation, of gap between inner and outer lives, of manifold insecurities in the face of a materialistic culture--a culture which is us. My quavering aspiration sends flute sounds floating out on Lake Winnepasakee, but who's really listening?" - Gordon KorstangeAn excerpt from  'Collaboration - Journal of the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Summer 1995, Vol. 21, No. 1.

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Part 2 and 3 in READ MORE.Read more

Edmund from germany on trumpet and Aurovilans Misko on piano and Holger on violin and double bass made a memorable jazz concert on wednesday night the third of February  in Pitanga. The hall was full of people and the ambience of the hall added to created a special experience. The audience got to listen to some old jazz classic compositions by artists like Charles Mingus and Morgan Lewis. The band also played some new songs like the jazz version, of the famous song Exit Music by the pop band Radiohead, by Brad Mehldau, the song had its roots in the western classical music and appealed to all music lovers of all ages and interests.

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Gregorian chants were echoing at Pitanga on Sunday the 14th of February. Anandamayi, Andrea, Ane, Elsa, Irene, Carl and Denis with their beautiful voices prepared an unique evening of cappella singing. Director Eugeen Liven d'Abelardo told us few things about the history of Gregorian chants, which is a functional music for liturgical use. For centuries it was passed by oral tradition, and after they start to use scriptorium to record it, but no notation, as we know today. Gregorian chant was until 1968 the official chant of the Roman church. The selection of monastic chants for that evening was mostly from 8th and 9th centuries.Click here to download the program.

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A Western Classical Music Recital with guest artists from Switzerland: Anna Adamik, piano and Martin Merker, cello. Compositions by Gabriel Fauré, Claude Debussy, Nadia Boulanger and César Franck About the artists: Anna Adamik is a native of Budapest, Hungary. She studied at the famed Franz Liszt Conservatory under Annámaria Krause and Tamás Fulep. She continued her studies at the Musikuniversität in Vienna/Austria under Paul Badura Skoda and at the Musikhochschule Freiburg/Germany with Ramón Walter. Martin Merker was born in 1965 in Stuttgart/Germany. He studied Cello with Russian cellist Karine Georgian at the Musikhochschule Detmold in Germany, Reinhard Latzko and Ivan Monighetti at the Musikakademie Basel, Switzerland and with Lluís Claret in Barcelona. He is a prizewinner of several international chamber music competitions.

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The second part in read more.Read more

Dans le sillage d'Auroville, d'autres initiatives bourgeonnent... En pleine savane africaine, au milieu d'une végétation sahélienne clairsemée, sur des sols pauvres, voici le premier Aurovillage... Hassan est venu pour la première fois à Auroville il y a 25 ans. Après avoir passé quelques mois à Auroville, il  rentre en France pour faire une formation en pépinière et arboriculture avec l'idée en tête de revenir s'installer à Auroville. Mais le destin en a décidé autrement. En effet son chemin à croisé celui de Pierre Rabih qui à l'époque montait un projet en agro-écologie au Burkina Faso. Il passa un vingtaine d'année en Afrique de l'Ouest et créa Durant toute ces ann?

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Claudio Menandro, one specialists of Brazilian music was here in Auroville. He did an well attend concert at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium in Bharath Nivas. The concert included many Brazilian Music styles including Bassa Nova, Samba and Choro. He also covered the classic Beatles song 'Yesterday' form the album 'Help!'. In read more the part 2 and 3. Read more

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Uma's enthusiasm for the work she does is contagious. Her eye ranges far afield; she speaks about Kapas and the cotton farmers and the plight of the weavers, she continues Tsunamika with the fisher ladies, and now the waste... Uma has woven the thread of creativity utilizing the contents of the unit's waste barrels, the goal zero waste. Upasana's employees, men and women of the villages, have successfully produced usable, unique items of beauty entirely of plastic, paper and cloth waste, caught by Uma's clarity and confidence.

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In the month of Pongal from the middle of December until the middle of January is a special time for celebration which is expressed on many ways. One of them is a sacred mandala of traditional blessing, named Kolam. On Saturday 9th in Ilaignarkal Education Center Mohanam Cultural Center organized Lively Kolam Festival. Beside exhibition of Kolams in different craft work of local Tamil women, there was competition in drawing Kolam with rice flour on the floor, and huge mandala, which served as the maze for meditation – first of its kind. Kolams in South India are admired for their simplicity, beauty and all that they symbolize, and they bring blessings to homes and to the universe... For more images click READ MORE.Read more

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New Year's Eve... throat singing of Tibetan monks... 2010 candle lights... words of wisdom of Dalai Lama... yes, in Auroville is hard to imagine for that night not to go to Tibetan pavilion, where's every year tradition of lighting tea candles, as many as the coming year counts. It is a perfect time to sit down, reflect to the past year, and maybe set up hopes and wishes for the next one. Candles, many time arranged in beautiful mandalas, peaceful tranquility... and you know that everything is just right, the way it is... ohm mani pedme hum... let the peace prevail on this planet, starting with each one of us... ohm mani pedme hum....

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Dopo aver ricevuto qualche dritta e parere su dove vivere e dove mangiare penso che tappa obbligatoria sia ora passare dal dottore. Fortunatamente ancora non caduto preda dei mal di pancia indiani che solitamente attaccano ogni straniero senza distinzioni e preferenze, Mattia si e' finto malato per andar a consultare un medico ayurveda cosi' da darvi la possibilita' di capire almeno in parte in cosa consista questo tipo di medicina.

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The new integral health institute is slowly getting shape. In this presentation the health team Jocelyn B., Mallika, Mogan, Ruslan, Sumeet, and Veronica with the architects team updated all on the current state of the project. The ambitious vision of the project was presented by Ruslan and Sumeet. Alternative master plans of the building where presented by Houly, Helmut and Salaeja. The presentation was followed by a question and answers from the audience

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Un bus parte nel mezzo del pomeriggio per andar al Depaam festival a Thiruvannamalai. Ma cos'e' il Deepam festival? Vivi ascoltando le mie esperienze e sensazioni  questa via crucis tutta all'indiana. Una lunga marcia intervallata tra un buon chai e un succo Ital bevuti nel ciglio di questo fiume di gente che scorre senza freno rincorrendo la buona sorte.

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Second meeting of Asian Unity was held at Pitanga, and as East Asian traditions are, it started with excellent tea, and quiet conversation of arriving guests. From the first meeting in September things started to move for Asian community, and many plans are in the progress. On 17,5 acers of land in Iternational zone proposed for Asia, idea came up to sart to build at least small Tea pavillion with which they could establish Asian zone, and could been used as a place for meeting, for meditation and tea ceremonies. In Asian culture tea ceremony is important part of the culture, it's related to art in general; important part of it is spritual passage without religious projections..

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A stunning devotional chant (Bhajans), moving, emotional, spiritual, singing the Divine names  led by Upahara and Bina from Thiruvannamalai... always a treat. Hear the music, relax and feel the love. People sung their hearts out, plenty of new faces as well as the usual crowd attended. Amazing. People clapped, people smiled, people played instruments, an environment of peace was achieved.
 Yahaloam & Pavan recorded the chant and was edited by Pavan. The recording of the event will be broadcast from Saturday 31st of November.

Last full moon on Saturday night was more in the spirit of cultural events than regular parties, although also the latest weren't missed. Bharat Nivas was witnessing the annual Mirra Women's Group performance. Mirra Womens Group are not only gathering women for different helping needs and supports, but also are very much active on the field of artistic expressions. From musical recitals, singing we slowly came to the most explosive part of that night – to some south Indian folk dances. Audience was supportive all the way with it constant hum in the background, but when girls started to dance, we heard a real excitement amongst the crowd. Don't dare to doubt that some of them joined garba dance afterward in nearby Sawchu.

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A very special exhibition was inaugurated in Tibetan Pavilion on sunday by three young Aurovillians. Claude, who is the driving force behind it, realized after the talk with his Holiness the Dalai Lama, that this is something he got to do, and he had to do it in a unique way. On 25 panels starting with ancient history of Tibet, which is to most of us unknown, are glimpses of Tibetan history through several millenniums. All the panels are enveloped somehow with two thangka paintings which his Holiness the Dalai Lama presented signed by him for this exhibition. Going trough all the panels and watching the two beautiful thangka paintings one remains speechless... as though all questions where answered. Read more

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Indeed the birth of a new interaction between different cultures and origins was born with Kalevala two stories we heard on the concert. And as old myths, regardless where they're from, evoke in us long forgotten memories and images, so did the music of ISIS brought to us nostalgic memories... from far, so strange, different, and yet so close to one part of us.... the other half of the concert was leading us further... sometimes playful, clean as a fresh water spring or melting snow on meadows, other times flirting with Latino rhythms with a sensual aspect of saxophone... but in all, the feeling of clearness of mind lingered in us for quite some time.

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The beginning of the world is the main topic in mythological stories all around the world. Kalevala is the laragest and most well known Finnish epic poem about the origin;  theater group ISIS created a musical play entitled 'The Legend of Birth.'  In a talk with Supriya and Christopher,  it was revealed that the project's goal is to integrate the myriad  myths  on how it all began. Kalevala is one  that can compare  with the Mahabharata, with Savitri...and many others from various cultures. Could there be a more pleasant way to tell an ancient story than through music and drama?

- Interview by Chloe' -

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Recorded live in Pitanga hall the full western classical concert can be enjoyed by all. Pushkar and Ladislav gave a concert for piano and violin. Both played full heartedly mesmerizing the audience to their cushion. Pieces from Beethoven “Sonata No.9 Kreutzer“, Piazzolla, “Le Grand Tango”, Pugnani-Kreisler “Preludium and Allegro” and Pushkar's “Piece for violin and piano” where played. The audience enjoyed the music so much that they applauded for more each time a piece was over. When there were no more notes to play the concert ended and the audience floated on the notes out to the starry night.

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Without doubt Ganesh is one of the most popular deities in India, and all over the world. Either for his kindness and qualities of a god who's beneficiary in many cases or because of his interesting and cuddly figure of full belly being with elephant head and four arms... however, Lord Shree Ganesh is a god of knowledge and the remover of obstacles. He is worshiped or at least remembered in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness. He has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. A unique combination of his elephant like head and a quick moving tiny mouse vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intelligence and presence of mind.

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Mohanam Marutham panpattu maiyathin Mudalam Aandu Niraivu vizha 13. 8. 2009 Andru Alankuppam Villiattu thidalil enithey Nadaipettrathu. Kadantha Oru varudankalaka Mohanam Marutham Siruvarkal karttu vantha (Kollattam, thappatam, Silambattam, Nattupura Nadanam, Nadakam, bharathanatiyam, padal) Kalaikalai vizha Medaiyil velipadulthinargal Ivvizhavirkku pettrorkal Anaivarum Kalanthu kondu, thankal Siruvarkalin thiramaiyinai paratinarkal. Melum Avarkalin Kalachara pariMattrathai parthavudan Kirama Samuthayam Valara Ethu oru Mun udaranamaka Amainthathu. Kirama pura Siruvarkalukku Ivvizha Thankal thiramiyai velipadutha oru Nalla Vaippaka Irunthathu. Ithu mathiriyana Kalai Nikazhichikal kirama makkalai ondru Servatharkku Oru Nalla palamaka Irunthathu.

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Sunday evening a special event took place at “La Terrace”. Silvia, a Brazilian professional dancer, and journalist showed to the audience how to perform Maracatu – an afro-brazilian dance style. Maracatu is a term common to two distinct dance performance genres found in Pernambuco state in northeastern Brazil. Beginning at around 7pm everybody was eager to get a grasp of the dance style and followed Silvia’s instructions carefully with a lot of fun. By watching Silvia’s smooth and classy moves one had to be captured by the rhythms this Brazilian dance has to offer.

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Last night AurovilleRadio met at la Terrace a branch of young actor from Netherlands who came in Auroville to gave some theater workshop in schools and a performance at the Visitor Center. Ti Na Ni Na Ni is a production group from the Theater School for Youth in Alkmaar and Arnhem, Netherlands. For the last 10 years they combine physical theater and classical drama together to create their own reality; professional actors work together with theater and dance students. They will perform on Saturday August 8th a play called: Stairway to Heaven. To know more about the play or about the group, listen the interview or click on READ MORE.  Read more

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Mohanan Cultural Center prepared last Sunday presentation in Alankuppam of DVD, which was taken of on 26th of February in Visitors Center at their show of Dances of the World – which was done by common efforts of children, youngster and Albinca. Mohanam Cultural Center is trying to be a bridge between the traditional and the modern, is a place where can local children and others find form of art in which they would like to express themselves.

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Last Saturday, a bunch of 33 Aurovillians, aged 20 to 70, mounted the ACT bus and headed to the EarthSync Music festival in Chennai. EarthSync is a world record label, committed to nurturing folk, tribal and native music. Two groups featured the event: "Karthik and Gotam", a multi-culture collaboration of music and dance artists, samples from Asia and Middle East, contemporary electronic groove; the Israeli Shy Ben Tzur with his program "Shoshan", a mix of devotional poetry, western sounds and Indian rhythms, performed by western and traditional musicians from Rajasthan. The Aurovillians enjoyed the evening until midnight; they were the most filmed audience and also friendly welcomed guests at the after-party of the organizers. Read moremp3/2009_05_30_interview_earthsync_festival_chennai_lite.mp3

Meenakshi, the poet from the nursery. Her life is dedicated to poetry, Tamil culture and children. For young Auroville workers and school drop-outs, she runs an unusual program since she came here some 33 years ago. She published countless poems. In this interview, Meenakshi presents her educational and literary work; she shares especially her enthusiasm for the richness and beauty of tamil language.

“Village Action Group” is taking care of more than 50 villages around Auroville. This organization, which combines Aurovilians and salaried employees, tries to help villagers (especially women and youth) to organize themselves into self-help groups, for personal and economical development (micro-credit) and village development (micro-project). Other activities also supported by Village Action are education, sports, culture, health, ecology… Anbu has worked for 20 years in AVAG; he now directs its activities under a trust of “Village Action Group”.

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On Saturday 2nd May, T. V. Sairam held an interactive lecture demonstration at the Tibetan Pavilion. He is a former administrator, economist, ethno-botanist and musicologist, who has authored several books and hundreds of articles on all these subjects. His pioneering work on the therapeutic aspects of the traditional Indian music system and nada yoga have attracted the attention of the world community of music therapists in recent years. You can listen to an excerpt of his presentation here.

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“My name is Swamynathan. I studied in Kanchipuram, but I came to the village of Irumbai to work in the temple there, which is actually our family temple. I have been working there for the past four years performing puja. Irumbai temple is a very ancient one. It is said that long ago Thirunanna Sambanther came to this temple, singing a song regarding Kaduvali. In front of the temple there's a Banyan tree, where he had sat in meditation, as for the past year there had been no rain. During that time his only food was the leaves of the Banyan tree.”

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