Bharatanatyam for the unaffordable – free classes
Rachel and Deepa, the Prem Sisters, two KNS Sishyas visited Kalaaksharam’s BN classes on Aug 10th (before returning to US). There are some 25 to 30 students learning adavus, of which the top 7 were asked to perform, and the best was awarded. [Rachel Prem is featured in the header of this site; her arangetram in 2007 at age 11.]
Rachel Prem comments (16th Aug) It was such a blessing to see these young girls learning Bharatanatyam with such enthusiasm. The guru is very good to the girls, teaching them in a friendly, yet stern way, and awarding them with prizes for things such as perfect attendance. When I learned that the girls had only been learning for less than 4 months with no prior exposure to dance, I was shocked. They were very good! The concentration on their faces as they danced showed so much care for what they were doing. It was truly a wonderful thing to see. Aunty, your work has really paid off! Hopefully next time I’ll get to see even more students learning, and the tailoring and drawing classes as well.
Bharatanatyam classes were inaugurated by Anitha James, a primary sishya of KNS, Inc., March 2013
Albana Small Industry – Tailoring
FIRST PRODUCT OF TAILORING
A success story! As we step into the third year, these 35 women who did not know how to even hold a needle and do a running stitch, 8 of them are now proficient in using the sewing machine. They meet 5 times a week for 2 hours. They go to the field and finish their work from dawn to 2 p.m. and then come to the class and go home by 5 p.m. to do their household chores. Remarkable work by teacher Janaki and manager Swamy. First batch of skirt and blouse sets is mainly for Sponsors. Plans will be made to market these in Indian stores.
Modeling in these outfits are USA based sponsors: (L-R) Bella and Eva, grand-daughters of Investor Pastor Franklin David, Tulsi and Krisha, daughters of Bindu Rajendran, Kaitlyn Ammukutty, niece of Sponsor Sherly Abraham, Diya and Maya, daughters of Nalini Britto.
Click on the picture below for an enlarged view.
FREE TAILORING CLASSES FOR DESTITUTE WOMEN
Recruitment Women under 40 who do not have any financial support, who work for daily wages of Rs. 100 ($2) per day in the field, who are either widows or divorced or abandoned, were recruited in 2010. Today there are 9 sewing machines and they are able to make their own blouses. Originally they were recruited to pay Rs. 80 a month to instill responsibility, but that became difficult, so now it is free classes. Ms. Janaki is the teacher. All of them are enthusiastic. Some ladies from the neighboring villages pay for share-auto to attend these classes.
Blouse Display Feb 2013 when Dr. Thambi Thomas visited the site, these ladies brought their blouses to display.
2013 Pongal Celebrations This year they wanted to celebrate Pongal so they made a huge pot of biriyani, had contests and games. A gala time indeed! Expenses were borne by Kalaaksharam.
New Sewing Machines were inaugurated by Rev. Franklin David www.sasdac.org.
Previously Vijayan Chinnappan, an SDA lay evangelist, provided used sewing machines which became obsolete and had to be frequently repaired. Thanks to our Donors and Sponsors, new sewing machines were purchased.
First Sewing Class. In 2011 the first class was inaugurated by Mme Soucila Latour of France, also a personal friend of Albana Thomas.
Most ladies did not even know how to hold a needle and do a running stitch.
Why the name ALBANA? Named after Rani’s mother Albana Thomas who supported Pastor S. Thomas in Evangelism and was known as missionkaramma for her generosity. Married at age 15 and a mother of 4 girls at age 20, she would sew clothes to not only generate an income but to keep awake during nights when her husband was away on the field. She was fondly called as ‘missionkaramma’, a woman with a mission. Even at age 85 Albana made baby dresses for Elizabeth Morlock, Arul and Kirubai Williams. Tailoring was more than a hobby, a skill she passed on to Rani who made her own clothes since age 13 (see picture first blouse). When Rani came to USA in 1979, within the first 2 weeks she put together the money she had and bought a Kenmore sewing machine for $199, and a bag of fabric bits for $2, and tailored shirts and suits for her 7 month-old son, Swithin.
Mentor Images – Oviya (drawing) classes
MENTOR IMAGES
To keep in sync with an arts ashram, free OVIYA (drawing-art) classes were started. More than 50 students enrolled. Mr. Manohar, the first teacher, began basic lessons. Drawing books were purchased.
Mr. Rajasekar, an arts teacher in a nearby school, continued the classes. Students were specifically trained for a competition to be held in February 2013.
This entire project is sponsored by Dr. Thambi Thomas, an educationalist in California, who is also an artist. Mentor Images reflects his artwork, named after his maternal grandfather, Arul Mentor of Pondicherry.
A competition was planned and accordingly Dr. Thambi Thomas with his wife Patricia (Wallang) visited the site and conducted the competition successfully.
The electric power-cut that prevails over all of Tamil Nadu did not spare this event, however, the students rose above this hurdle, came and sat outside and finished their drawings!
Due to summer holidays, Oviya classes will resume in June 2013.
Martial Arts for the unaffordable: Karate – Kungfu
Although Martial Arts was not in the original plan, there seem to be a lot of interest in the village. At our expense we cleaned, cleared, maintained the space, and provided refreshments. Mr. Samuel was the first teacher. Mr. Rajasekar took over in April.
Medical Camp
FIRST MEDICAL CAMP in VITTALAPURAM (77th village in Kanchipuram District), April 2012
by Karpaga Vinaya Medical College and Hospital from Padalam near Madhuranthangam
General Medicine, Dental, Ophthamology, Gynecology, general medicine and specialized services were rendered to 187 villagers. Free medicines were distributed. A team of 14 doctors in an equipped van successfully conducted this all-day medical camp.
Christian Carnatic by the totally Visually Impaired (CCB)
Second Recording to complete the album is planned in 2013.
Financial contribution for this project is provided by Mr. & Mrs. D. P. David and Mr & Mrs. (Latha) Kannan Ramaswamy.
We are searching for ancient keerthanais (Tamil Christian). Songs are contributed by Mrs. Grace Devaraj, Mr. D.P. David, Mrs. Pankajam Skau, Mr. Chellam Moses.
Sumit Recording Studio was planned in 2009. [project incomplete]
Seed money: Sherley Abraham ($1000)
First Recording was initiated at Ruben Recording Studio, Chennai. Father Michael Amaladas of Loyola College gave his compositions. All artists are totally visually affected, from various parts of Tamil Nadu.
Plans are being made to complete this album in 2013
Listen to Chamundeswari’s rendition of ‘ratchaga naan ummai viduveno’ an ancient keerthanai sung by Rani’s mother Albana.
There are a number of facilities for the totally visually impaired on major cities, but it is the villages that are not catered to. Kalaaksharam goal is to reach out to them and train them in Carnatic music, and prepare music albums. For this purpose a new Innova was purchased. Project is at a standstill because these participants want daily wages to provide for their families.
What’s Next….
Rani’s mind is constantly working what new concept can be next done. Due to her commitments in USA, she is unable to spend all her time in India, hence she has to micro-manage via phone, email, photos, sponsors-visit etc. Although this is pretty much a one-woman project, with her two pillars Swithin and Sumithrin, there are several like-minded people giving suggestions, to whom she is eternally grateful.
In the planning…
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Bharatanatyam for the Hearing Impaired
Bharatanatyam uses hand gestures – most dances are more like mime using expression – Rani would like to create a universal sign language and enable the hearing impaired to learn dance. In 1993 Rani had the privilege of staging Poorna Rajagopalan, of Gallaudet University for a Jathiswaram.
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Christian Carnatic for the Blind
Even though there is a Sumit Recording studio and Ruben Recording Studio was used to create an album using totally-visually-impaired artists, Rani’s desire is to train more of them. About 20 were recruited. Free training, free transportation, free food; however these people need daily wages (some by receiving alms) to sustain their families. Such a plan has not yet been identified and developed.
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Special Classes in Computer/English
For the unaffordable ladies ages from 15 to 30, plans are being made to conduct classes in Computer and English.
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Arts for the Autistic
Swithin David, Rani’s son, deals with autistic children. He works as a vision therapist in Rochester. With his expertise, autistic children in and around Vittalapuram will be recruited for special training.
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Basket Weaving by Elderly
First an eye-camp will be conducted above 50 and appropriate projects implemented
Rani’s Villa – Vittalapuram, God willing, is designed with 5 phases:
- Kalaaksharam which was inaugurated in 2009 and running well.
- Backland will be used for Agricultural Research
- 30 room Elderly Care Facility – estimated cost $400K
- Living Quarters – estimated cost $400K
- Studio/Gurukulam – architectural drawing given below
The Rani’s Villa
This segment is on the architectural work
words are not suffice to thank these lovely people
Fence – Cables – Gate (May 2013)
April/May, 2013: In order to utilize the back land or 2 acres for agriculture, in particular research products, as the first step fence is erected. Work will be complete after the peanuts are harvested.
Saminathan, the present manager, is overseeing the work.
Doors (March 2013)
Thiru George Samuel (retd. from Amtrak, Washington D.C.) visited the site during his recent visit and assessed on the architectural aspect of the site. He noticed 2 doors that were damaged and took care of that work worth $500.
Land Documents (2010)
From 2002 to 2007, Rani paid for the land and experienced severe losses. After that it was a bigger struggle to get the land documents transferred and claimed. Somehow people involved with this deal perhaps thought she would never return to fulfill her dreams. Although the knowledge of these documents from patta to chitta is very simple, just to get bribes they make it very complicated for a lay person to understand.When Rani almost gave up and decided never to return to India, Thiru Ramaswamy and Thiru Chockalingam, neighbors in Gopalapuram, with that brotherly concern came forward to help her and secured all the documents.
Griha Prevesham (Sep 2009)
Click on image to see full size and details. 
Thru Thiru Ganapathy, Engineer Bhaskar did a fantastic admirable job in the first building. Rani tried many other sources but it just did not work because Vittalapuram is in a remote place, 2.5 hours from Chennai and 1.5 hours from Pondicherry. Bhaskar risked his life and went to the spot every day in his bike. People travelling on ECR will know how dangerous, how many accidents take place on a daily basis. As soon as Bhaskar accepted the job, in a few weeks his brother (over a lost love) committed suicide. Contrary to what others might think of this as a bad omen, he did this more as a ‘service’ and the building stands tall to showcase his hard work.
Several chief guests: Mrs. Priya Sumithra Morlock, Rani’s niece from California, Sumithrin her son, from Maryland, Mrs. Janobi Raja, Rani’s father Pastor S. Thomas’ cousin and the only living relative of that generation, Father Michael Amaladas from Loyala College, Mrs. and Mr. Bhaskar, Mrs. and Mr. Ganapathy, Mrs. Ansuya Vijayan, Mr & Mrs. Ramaswami Subramaniam were all present. Joining them were Sophia Vanathayan’s father and brother, Mr. & Mrs. Raja from Pondicherry, Mr. Segar and Mr. Pavankumar’s families and many more.
The event began with a special group of folk dancers from Thanjavur who danced for 2 hours from the main road to the pandhal. Bible, Jesus picture, salt, water, etc. was traditionally carried in. Kolam drawn. Milk boiling overflowing was done. Event concluded with a delicious meal.
Vaasal (Oct 2008)
Building work had started April 2008, and several events took place without Rani’s presence. Thiru and Thirumathi Ganapathy, Thirumathi Ansuya Vijayan were there on her behalf. October 2008 the entrance door was to be erected and Rani attended the function. Navarathinam, nine different gems each with its own qualities, were auspiciously laid in the ground and the door was fixed above that. Beautiful tradition! Kalaaksharam board was also erected. Holding them are Bhaskar and Karthikeyan, Ganapathy’s son.
Boomipoojai (ground breaking) (Feb 2007)
Mr. David Rajan and his team from neighboring village Poonthandalam took care of this event. Special guests were Rev. Franklin David and his wife Elizabeth. The Panchayat leader Thiru Sahadevan along with the village officers were present.
A dream… (2002-2005)
Mr. David Rajan informed Rani about this piece of land in 2002. It was 8 acres from the main road to the back waters. However, even though there were legal agreements made, because the main road was paved as a main road to Thirukulakundram, the rates were raised and Rani took a big beating by getting only 3.4 acres. This was a big blow and the disappointment even hospitalized her. However, in 2007 she decided to pursue her dreams. Overnight Thiru Sunderan Moses gave an architectural sketch which motivated her to move on!