Day: 22 May 2013

Chicago IL: Delegates representing the National Indian American Public Policy Institute (NIAPPI) joined the DuPage County chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) in hosting a reception for Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Monday, May 13, 2013, at Oak Brook Marriott Hotel. The Senator briefly addressed the group of about 50 and thanked the roomful of Indian and Hispanic Republicans, led by Illinois RNHA Chairman Steve Orlando and Dupage County RNHA Chairwoman, Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti, for being so involved before taking time to meet and pose for photos. Present at the reception were State Senators Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady. Cruz then delivered the keynote address at the DuPage Lincoln Day Dinner, sponsored by the DuPage County Republican Central Committee where over 600 Republicans were assembled. Shalabh (Shalli) Kumar, who led the NIAPPI delegation, also addressed the assembly and sought to underline the unique Indian American demographics and the growing importance of their vote. Presenting himself under the banner of Ronal Reagan as Chairman of Indian Americans for Freedom, Kumar emphasized his organization’s commitment to individual liberty, self-reliance, fiscal discipline, free enterprise, and strong national defense. He insisted on a strategy to convert the one million Indian American voters […]

Naperville, IL: Bollywood Rhythms celebrated their 5th Annual Recital with students and their families, friends and prominent leaders of our community on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at Metea High School. Students of Bollywood Rhythms, ranging in ages from 3 to 50 yrs, adorned in colorful costumes, dazzled the audience of about 400 – 500 art lovers of Naperville area. It was 3.5 hours of pure entertainment that consisted of Bollywood/ Folk as well as Semi Classical dances which were presented by close to 200 students. The theme of this year’s show was ” An Evening in Bollywood”, Bollywood Rhythms very creatively narrated simple stories through their dance routines . Our show was dedicated to all the mothers and the evening could not have been any better than watching their kids entertain them on that special day.The event marked the sheer celebration of Indian heritage, culture, dance and music. The students, the Artistic Director, Bhagya Nagesh, and all those who were involved in the presentation of the show deserve esteem. Bollywood Rhythms students dressed in colorful costumes and gorgeous make up presented a beautiful medley of about 22 dances. The program opened with “ Ganesh Vandana” and soon picked up the […]

Chicago IL: Padmashree Sudha Ragunathan thrilled both connoisseurs of Carnatic music and those keen on experimental fusion by leading an ensemble that took liberties with traditional compositions. Singing at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) in Lemont, Ill., on Sunday, May 5, 2013, Ragunathan was accompanied by Amit Heri (lead guitar), B. Raghavendra Rao (violin), Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan (mridangam), Guruprasad (ghatam), Arun Kumar (drums), and Keith Peters. Heri, who holds a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Boston, has performed in many international festivals, including WOMAD, London, Montreux, and Berlin Jazz Festivals, Rome World Music Festival, and World Social Forum. Having received Carnatic percussion training under S. V. Giridhar, Kumar advanced under Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma, and now learns jazz drumming under Ranjit Barot. Guruprasad studied from an early age with ghatam maestro T.H. Vikku Vinayakram, then with V. Suresh from whom he learned Kodhandarama Iyer’s fingering technique, and finally under Madurai T. Srinivasan. Chennai-based Keith Peters continues to work as A.R. Rahman’s ever-dependable bass guitarist, arguably the best in India. Initiated into music at age five by his father, Rao is disciple of violin maestro T.N. Krishnan. Vaidyanathan, who hails from a family of percussionists, runs an ensemble band […]