Baal Vikas – Changing Children's Lives with a Focus on Music, Art & Dance

As a child, the first time I held a guitar was at the age of 13. The ‘barre’ chords were too difficult to hold, as you can imagine. I almost gave up because of that...

But it felt cool to be able to play simpler and open chords even if there was little or no encouragement otherwise. There was more criticism rather than anything else for even daring to try…

It is also the reason why I feel closest to the children at the Baal Vikas who might play irregular beats on a tabla, a few discordant notes on the piano or even hold a violin in the manner that a professional violinist performs and might not actually progress to playing one as they grow older.

It’s still music to our ears at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts…

These activities are also what take place during the Baal Vikas – a program offered at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts.

Yes, it’s a clear effort to introduce our children to art, music and dance be it Indian or Western in nature.

For example, our piano teacher taught the kids last week a song aptly titled ‘The Kaeru Song’ where they not only learn how to sing it on different scales but also imitate the movements of a frog.

As for our violin teacher, he shows them the rudiments of holding a violin while playing different notes for them to get used to the sounds of violin. He also gets them to sing a few familiar children’s songs on the keyboards.

Of course, not all of them will turn out to be professional musician, dancers or artists but what they will learn is to appreciate the finer things in Life that influence who we are and what we do for the better.

And the earlier the better it is…

I can’t think of another place where this concept of getting children to get the feel of an instrument in a group situation.

Even if it does exist, the professional musicians that spend time with these children below the age of 6 years every week on Wednesday from 3 to 5 pm aren’t easily replaced. And that’s putting it mildly…

But how does this benefit my children, you might ask?

Studies have shown that children who are introduced to some art form or the other, whether they consider taking it up as a profession or not in the future, tend to learn better as it has positive effects on memory retention among a host of other benefits.

(Read this article to learn more about how exposure to music, in either Indian and Western forms, can benefit your child.)

Apart from this, and as we’re noticing with every passing month, there is a strong sense of togetherness among this group of children, and which can only help along the aspect of socialization that a child needs to survive and thrive in today’s world.

Every parent can surely recognize how imperative it is for children to begin to get along with others from an early age…

Yet the biggest benefit of all is the discovery of whether one can truly play music as a professional or not in the real world.  It’s something that they would thank you for the rest of your Life as parents…

So, if you’re curious about attending the Baal Vikas, please follow this link to our Facebook Montessori page for weekly updates.

ACCEL Montessori – A Sanctuary for a Child’s Balanced Growth

Sreela with the Montessori kids

Our children live in challenging times. India is no exception to the rule, really. There is no doubt that, as always, children remain our country’s greatest resource, and without which, the future remains more uncertain than ever.

Our group of Montessori Kids

Therefore, there’s a greater need for us, as adults, to focus on the needs of our children or leave them unequipped for the battles that they will face in their later years.

This is where the ACCEL Montessori at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts comes in… in trying to make a difference – one child at a time!

Yes, the underlying philosophy of the ACCEL Montessori is ‘balanced growth’ with a genuine appreciation for aesthetics in all its forms whether art or music. In other words, it is a Montessori education but with a little more than what any other school could possibly have on offer.

Enjoying a day out at the Palm Meadows

Of course, at first glance, the curriculum that the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts offers does inculcate both knowledge and skill in our children in areas such as language, practical life and math – just what you would find at any Montessori.

Kids enjoying themselves on Children's Day

However, there’s more: considering the fact that our ACCEL Montessori is located within a music and art school. So, it’s only obvious that we would use this aspect to our benefit thus introducing these children to the finer things in Life.

Ananya & Mouli doing a bit of "rangoli"

What we’re talking about is a genuine appreciation for both Indian and Western classical music. This two-pronged approach is something that all of us can truly resonate with, in being Indian. These professional musicians visit their classes on a regular basis and on Wednesdays, thanks to a program called Baal Vikas.

The kids listening to Takafumi Mori on the Piano

As for the overall approach to their balanced learning, the objective is to use the method of discovery where the kids benefit from a prepared Montessori environment but in a self-directed manner up to the age of 6 years.

Kids having a great time playing the Tabla

You can be sure that all of us who are involved with the Montessori believe in this concept and how it benefits our kids from an early age. Moreover, through this method, kids will, no doubt, develop a love for learning (as opposed to studying) from a young age.

Kids learning to shop at the ACCEL Market

Finally, another unique aspect of the ACCEL Montessori is our trips to factories, hosting a market so as to begin that process of socialization from a tender age.

A visit to the brick factory in Devannahalli

One of our parents, Ayonam Ray, put it best, in saying, “It has been a wonderful experience watching Rohini blossom. In a matter of six months, she has picked up a lot. I like the judicious mix of Indian and Western Music and the balance in the curriculum, in terms of Indian and Western concepts. Hope to see this continue in the years to come.

So, if this post has made you curious enough about the ACCEL Montessori and how we do things differently, please feel free to visit our Facebook page at this link.

The Limelight Saturday Special & Art Mart This Weekend - A Recap

February 8, 2014 - The Hindustani Classical Concert
Unrehearsed. That word describes the Hindustani Classical Concert where the trio of Iman Das, Nikhil Patwardhan and Partho Mukherjee performed to a rapt audience at Ms. Nithya Reddy's sprawling property - a sanctuary in the making.

It should come as no surprise that this concert was no different from the previous one in terms of the musicianship demonstrated.

Put simply, Iman Das hit every note possible and Nikhil Patwardhan played his heart out in a manner that would make the likes of John McLaughlin and the late Pandit Ravi Shankar proud. And one couldn't help but smile while thinking of the way music truly transcends all boundaries.

There's a good reason why a phrase such as this one was coined in seeing a distinct similarity between Hindustani classical music and its western counterpart, jazz.

Unrehearsed, as I said. As the musicians explained: they hadn't played this 'raag' before, and were improvising throughout the concert. Yes, a concert that lasted almost two-and-a-half hours and for an audience that barely moved.

And that's putting it lightly since the first part consisted of Iman Das (vocals) and Partho Mukherjee (tabla) doing the 'Raag Saraswati' and a selection of 'Thumris'. During the second half of the program, Nikhil Patwardhan (sitar) and Partho Mukherjee (tabla) truly made our experience all that more richer.

No, I'm not going to use any superlatives or adjectives to describe how it felt being there yet am tempted to use an analogy for both performances.

The notes – how they flowed – first, in a trickle and then, as a babbling brook would. Yet the crescendo only served to remind us of a mighty river destroying all in its wake and leaving innocent bystanders in its awe.

Those final moments was worth the wait as it always has and will especially if you have listened to a few selections of Hindustani classical music in the past.

It was different, indeed.

Yet most of all, it reminded of me of how music, much like Life is so much better, when unrehearsed.

February 9, 2014 - The Third Art Mart
It was a quiet Sunday morning. The third Art Mart was a subdued affair, to be honest. A few people walked in and out amidst the din, thanks to a series of cricket matches being played much to the delight of the locality.

As soon as I stepped in, I met Suchira Iyer in person – who enthralled (and I mean, enthralled) me with the etymology of the terrarium which, by definition, is a plant that is grown within a glass container.

It's petite but very pretty. In the meanwhile, and as always, a number of tasks were being attended to as Sreela not only ushered in interested students but also held a tea ceremony for a couple who had seen our article in the Bangalore Mirror only a few days ago.

On the other hand, another couple walked in so as to get a recommendation letter from Sreela for their daughter, who had studied art in the very first batch.

Suchira's parents, particularly her father, also spoke of time during Raja Rammana's times while being served some tea and spoke on a number of topics related to nuclear power, atomic energy, Russia, India's track record when it comes to nuclear energy related accidents and so on and so forth.

So, despite the absence of the hustle-bustle from the last Art Mart, we still managed to sell a few cakes, thanks to the Swirls & Sprinkle bakery, and a few terrariums that were probably just as desirable.

Nothing to complain about, really especially since Artea Matters enjoyed some press coverage in the Bangalore Mirror recently.

Limelight Saturday Children's Day Special - Sheer Moments of Surrealism, or Call It What You Will

Surreal was the only word that one could use to describe that night. The night of November 16, 2013.

On my way back home with Nupur, we both laughed at her son's obsession for Robin Van Persie and the world's most popular football club – Manchester United.

But it wasn't just the mirth or just the talk about football that made it memorable. That was the icing on the cake for me. Instead, it was an awakening of an appreciation of Indian music and dance through the performances that night that lay dormant ever since I visited my first Vasanth Habba.

Yes, it was a Hindustani classical concert organized by the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts (also known as the Bangalore Institute of Music & Art to others) – a place we consider home to all things artistic and creative in both the Indian and Western sense.

As we made our way to the place where the concert was held, the gentle pitter-patter of rain only suggested that for those who did attend the concert – it added just that little bit more. Of surrealism, if you will...

Regardless of the technical snafus that threatened to stump us all, Sreela, being as versatile as she is, had a backup plan that worked just fine and in time, for our little Kathak performers to kick start the show.

And start the show they did... ever so deftly and with grace as their little feet left their mark, if only figuratively, to the rhythm, and to a captive audience.

The pitter-patter soon turned into a steady downpour as we sat in that hall and listened to Smt. Chandasree deliver a performance that was truly mesmerizing along with her student on the tanpura as well as with Priyabrata on the tabla.

The thing is that as some of us grow older, we look back with respect as we truly begin to relate with our elders for what they've done in their time and continue to do so. For it continues to define us in the here and now... living in 'modern' India! As we shuffle our feet in making the shift from the old to the new...

Speaking of which, there was no shuffling of feet – in fact, no one budged from their seats. It was a kindergarten teacher's dream come true. You could hear a pin drop, if it wasn't for the music...

And speaking of the proverbial “icing on the cake”, Nupur Chakraborty then took the stage, and broke into song if only to an audience that could barely muster a solemn encore at the end, considering the gravity of the occasion.

For some of us, the adage 'everything that is old will become new again' came to life that night. It was reaching 'full circle', if you will. Simply put, being Indian took on a whole new meaning...

Outside the one-man crew from Artea Matters, Ashok, served tea and a few snacks and Vidya, a sponsor of the event, her partner and myself spent a few moments in silence – taking it all in rather wistfully.

Tonic for the soul. A snack or two to satiate our 'lower order needs'. Definitely, a Saturday well spent. But most of all, a strong feeling of pride for being part of a culture that spans thousands of years.

Yet not forgetting that it felt so right being a part of the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts that diligently holds fast to tradition as we find ourselves in an age where the world moves closer or for that matter, invades our living room at a moment's notice.

As Nupur and I sped away to our homes that night and as she regaled me with stories of her son's fascination for British club football, the irony wasn't lost on me.

That said, let's hope the upcoming Hindustani classical concert scheduled for February 8, 2014 at the very same venue featuring Imon Das, Nikhil Patwardhan and Partho Mukherjee begs the very question: What makes us truly Indian in these "changing times"?

Takafumi's Solo Performance on January 14, 2014 - A Short Review

So, it was the first solo performance of Takafumi Mori in India at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts. 

To say the least, it was a successful week as a piano teacher with a number of students telling us that he knew his stuff. So, it wasn't surprising that he wanted to lead by example by performing solo in a piano concert. 

Not surprisingly, the superlatives were flowing unabated, thanks to a dazzling show of skill by him as he performed three pieces and a final one that was a response to an encore.

The pieces that he played, in order, were:
Chaconne by J.S Bach & F. Busoni
First Movement - Sonata #2 by F. Chopin
2 Legends (St. Frances of Paola Walking on the Water) - Franz Liszt
Presto - F. Poulenc 

However, it wasn't the audience's reactions after the concert that really caught our eye but during the concert as well. Some seemed to be lost in the melodies while others expressed joy and awe of Takafumi's prowess with the instrument. Indeed, time stood still...

In playing with such passion for an hour, and from memory too, a number of us felt as if it was a spiritual experience - one which lifted us to another plane, if you will. And we're not exaggerating...

There was a sense of exhilaration that was felt by one and all, as we approached 7:30 pm, and thereafter - a feeling that parents who did attend the concert will vouch for. 

Finally, there was a question and answer session where Takafumi explained what he intended to do for his students as not only piano players but also concert performers. That said, an excerpt of the pieces that he played will be shared with the students shortly...

And as always, there are a number of upcoming Limelight concerts which include a Carnatic concert on January 25 as well as a Hindustani Classical Concert on February 4, 2014.

Our Second Art Mart - A Remarkable Day of Color, Food and Fun and Tea

Simply put, it was another remarkable day at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts premises as BIMA (Bangalore Institute of Music and Art) hosted the second Art Mart – and the first of 2014.

As people made their way into the Aamod premises, some were in awe of the rangoli work placed strategically in certain parts of the school while others pored over the paintings by our students.

If the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts is known for its melodies, then this was indeed a day of color, patterns, tradition, beauty, mirth, conversation and food.

Of course, the focus of attention was the tea room, 'Artea Matters', and the aromatic Darjeeling Tea served to a number of willing patrons. Margaret's Hope first flush was the raison d'etre of it all.

A couple of people enjoyed trying their hand at 'rangoli' workshop  while there were others who preferred chatting away with people that they had met for the very first time that day or even family members that they took some time off to be with.

One couldn't help but notice the paintings of Kantharaj and Santanu Maity, artists whose work was  on display, strewn across the school in a tasteful fashion. Taka continued taking his piano classes with precision while Komal attended to the needs of her ever-growing list of art students in the morning.

Sreela and Durga, our able hostesses, were everywhere at once, attending to people that were in need of nourishment, both literally as well as pertaining to art & music, while the people from Swirls & Sprinkles as well as The Happy Baker waited patiently for customers to savor their goodies too.

We started at 11 am and wound up exactly at 5 pm having our fill of art (both in the Indian and Western sense) and a variety of condiments that were, no doubt, visually pleasing but just as palatable.

We would like to thank those who took the time to visit the school, and share in this celebration of food, conversation and art in all its forms.

In a nutshell, not bad for the second Art Mart at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts...

That said, these offerings from Artea Matters, which were launched only recently as a part of the Bangalore Institute of Music and Art is open 365 days specifically for those who enjoy the acquired taste of a 'tea room' and more.

The next Art Mart is scheduled for 9 February, 2014 and is open to one and all! More details will be shared in following posts...

In Retrospect... July-December 2013

Truly, A Year of Positive Changes
To sum it up, it’s been a year of changes but most importantly, one that required the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts (including ACCEL) to move —yes, change its location, and in particular to Inner Circle in Whitefield, if you will.

Speaking of more changes, Mathilde Legrand too, completed her last 6 months here with a farewell concert that was definitely memorable apart from her direction of the ICAV choir.

Chandashree Roy, disciple of the acclaimed Gyan Prakash Ghosh, began taking Hindustani vocal classes during this time. Takafumi Mori joins us as the new piano teacher from France while Daniel Chakraborty is handling the aspects of marketing and communication.

As for the twice-a-month Limelight performances, here are a few noteworthy performances took place: 
- Marc Behin’s guitar concert 
- a sitar performance by Nikhil Patwardhan 
- a violin and piano duet by Mathilde and Surajit 
- a piano, trombone, cello and violin trio at a patron’s place 
- a harmonica and guitar duo by Saibal and Muthu 
- a Hindustani Classical concert featuring our Kathak students as well as performers such as Smt. Chandashree Roy, Partho Mukherjee, Priyabrata and Nupur Chakraborty.

Yet the icing on the cake was our resident composer, Jacques Petit, who put together the Aamod Orchestra in such a short time. We performed at the InOrbit Mall to the delight of a number of people. Indeed, a milestone for the school that has touched the lives of many for almost a decade now...

ACCEL resumed activities by making a number of visits to the  market, pottery town, brick factory and a village too. This was apart from the usual activities that our parents are familiar with. 

That said, we have opened a daycare centre between 9am-6 pm for children from ages 3-6 years and 4-8 pm for children from ages 6-12 year olds, and in particular for, busy parents.

The Birth of Artea Matters
The conceptualization of ‘Artea Matters’ all began with Sreela and her affection for art, tea, great food and conversation. Yet the fruition of this idea wouldn’t have been possible without the continued efforts of Durga Menon and Ratna Ghose...

A theme that was evident during the first Art Mart, and which also involved showcasing the art work of both professionals as well as students too. To say that it was a success would be putting it lightly, especially since it was the first one of the lot. 

This was largely due to a positive response from both parents and connoisseurs and we thank them wholeheartedly.  Of course, we had a great time conversing about food, music, arts and culture over a cup of tea and snacks too.

Going forward, we would like to include the work of sculptors, photographers among a host of other artistes who continue to enthrall audiences. Yet this event will benefit our students the most, who between the age of 15-17 years, will build their own art portfolios as we recognize the growing need (and a solid future!) for well-groomed professionals in the visual arts. 

With the Art Mart scheduled to take place on the second Sunday of every month henceforth, themed birthday parties for children from the age of 3-9 is also on the agenda— no doubt, an excellent way to spend the day with your child!