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The first show had 100 participants including Indian and non-Indian artists. The concept was based on Broadway Musical. This was the first time she had choreographed a two-hour musical drama, where she had started with 10 participants and ended up creating a show with over 100 participants including dancers, actors and even child artist. The show itself began with fifty people sitting and watching. However, as it went on, the audience began calling and texting their friends and families to come and watch. In no time, the event venue was filled with thousands of people watching and enjoying the show. Even the security guards struggled with controlling the masses since no one was prepared for such an amazing response. After her first successful show there was no looking back. Last year, in 2017, there were close to eighteen thousand people watching the show and this year they crossed that number too as people not only from New Jersey but from all over east- coast of US drive down to enjoy the festival and watch the show. The event is completely free of charge for the community to come and enjoy the festivities. The main attraction still is Varsha Naik’s Ramleela, The burning of the “Ravan effigy”, a spectacular firework show, and shopping at the event. Varsha says that her biggest supporter is her team. She feels, If the team is passionate about the project, the battle is half won. Indo- American Festival Inc, founded in 1998, is the only organization which celebrates Dushahra in USA by burning Ravan effigy. After the grand success of 2013, Indo- American Festival Inc took this play to another level and the performance was repeated in South Street Sea Port, New York in 2014. The fire work that year was done at Hudson river which was impeccable. Now the show happens every year at Long Island, New York and Edison, New Jersey. Since then every year the Musical RamLeela is performed twice a year. Adding new elements such as prop, costumes, and music to keep it fresh. A musical theater drama is not only about the story line but also about the graphics and effects. “We have personally chosen and handpicked everything. The costumes are designed and made in India by Nalini Namjoshi and Rohini Kopargaonkar. The props are created especially for the show every year locally in New Jersey by talented artists” said Varsha. After this year’s successful show in New York and New Jersey, Varsha wishes and plans to take her show on the road to all the different cities and states and spread awareness about this wonderful Indian mythological saga. 2018 was the 20th year for IFA hosting this event and the 5th Year for Varsha Naik’s Navrang Dance academy to successfully perform on stage. Dushara festival and Ramleela are an important part for many Indian Americans here as it brings back memories from their childhood. It was extremely Cold this year, still people came with their family. “I feel extremely happy that through the medium of theatre and art Iam able to connect with the current generation and make them aware of Indian culture” said Varsha.]]>

Unhealthy daytime habits and lifestyle choices can leave you tossing and turning at night and adversely affect your mood, brain and heart health, immune system, creativity, vitality, and weight. But by following these sleeping duties, you can enjoy better sleep at night, improve your mental and physical health, and improve how you think and feel during the day. Step 1: Sync with your body’s natural cycles Try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day. This helps set your body’s internal clock and optimize the quality of your sleep. All monks would wake up and sleep without the help of watches and alarms. Discipline of schedule is the first step to health. Avoid sleeping in late. Sleeping late is the first mistake, getting up late is the second. Both of these are sure shot ways to feel jet lag symptoms without travelling. If you need to make up for a late night, opt for a daytime nap rather than sleeping in. This allows you to pay off your sleep debt without disturbing your natural sleep-wake rhythm. Step 2: Avoid light pollution Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone controlled by light exposure that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Your brain secretes more melatonin when it’s dark—making you sleepy—and less when it’s light—making you more alert. However, many aspects of modern life can alter your body’s production of melatonin and shift your circadian rhythm. Here’s how to influence your exposure to light During the day, expose yourself to bright sunlight in the morning. The closer to the time you get up, the better. Have your morning cuppa outside, for example, or eat breakfast by a sunny window. The light on your face will help you wake up. All monks would start their day with salutations to the sun. Spend more time outside during daylight. Take your work breaks outside in sunlight, exercise outside, or walk your dog during the day instead of doing so at night. Let as much natural light into your home or workspace as possible. Keep curtains and blinds open during the day, and try to move your desk closer to the window. Say no to screens for at least 2 hours before sleep. The blue light emitted by your phone, tablet, computer or TV is especially disruptive. You can minimize the impact by using devices with smaller screens, turning the brightness down, or using light-altering software such as f.lux. Say no to late-night television. Not only does the light from a TV suppress melatonin, but many programs are stimulating you into wakefulness rather than relaxing. Try listening to music or audio books instead. When it’s time to sleep, make sure the room is dark. Use heavy curtains or shades to block light from windows, or try a sleep mask. Also consider covering up electronics that emit light. Step 3: You are what you eat Limit caffeine. You might be surprised to know that caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Try to live a stimulant-free life. Drink the golden nectar before sleep. Try drinking warm nut milk or organic cow milk mixed with turmeric. Turmeric has many healing properties that may aid your sleep. Avoid big meals at night. Try to make dinnertime earlier in the evening, and avoid heavy, rich foods within two hours of bed. Spicy or acidic foods can cause stomach trouble and heartburn. Avoid alcohol before bed. Or better yet avoid alcohol altogether. Your own body, if trained correctly, has the power to bring relaxation, creativity on demand. it is seen that the body’s internal capabilities are greatly decreased as dependence on external substances increases Step 4: Start a Meditation practice Do you find yourself unable to sleep or waking up night after night? Residual stress, worry, and anger from your day can make it very difficult to sleep well. If anxiety or chronic worrying dominates your thoughts at night, there are steps you can take to stop worrying and look at life from a more positive perspective. The more overstimulated your brain becomes during the day, the harder it can be to slow down and unwind at night. During the day, many of us over-stress our brains by constantly interrupting tasks to check our phones, emails, or social media. Try to set aside specific times for these things, and focus on one task at a time. When it comes to getting to sleep at night, your brain won’t be accustomed to seeking fresh stimulation and you’ll be better able to unwind. The most powerful tool in combating stress, fears and anxiety is learning to meditate. Millions of people around the world have been benefitted by the techniques of Mindfulness and Meditation. You too can try some free Meditations at http://ishanshivanand.com/meditate-now/]]>

  Being on a magazine cover is a big honour in itself, it shows international dominance of the person on the cover. Sandip Soparrkar play “Death Conqueror- Karna” gets featured on the October issue cover of B’youtiful Magazine. B’youtiful is an exclusive fashion and lifestyle magazine that enriches ones knowledge on the scope of fashion and beauty and also expand horizons along with point of view on the necessary attention toward the art of beauty, world fashion and luxurious lifestyle. The cover picture was shot by Tanish Laxmi, creative supervision by Manoj Mauryaa and styled by Mehak Jain Bollywood Intentionally acclaimed Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar along publisher and Chief Editor of B’youtiful Magazine Ms. Nishrin Poonawala launched the sensational october cover of the B’youtiful Magzine at the colourful venue Taste of Punjab in India’s entertainment capital Mumbai. At the launch Sandip Soparrkar performed a short teaser of his upcoming theater show ‘Death Conqueror- Karna’ with the cast consisting of Kulvinder Baksshish, Ankita Dolawat and Deepak Somalkar. ‘Death Conqueror – Karna’ is an English adaptation of award winning writer Shivaji Savant’s famous marathi book ‘Mrityunjay’. This play directed by Kulvinder Baksshish attempts to narrate Karna’s untold and often ignored story. It emphasizes Karna’s magnaminity and his tragedy. In the process it deals with existential dilemmas and of the choices he made. This dance drama has a Great blend of indian folk and international dances Chhau, Thang ta, Kallaripayattu and classic ballroom dancing are the essence of the play. ——–Abhishek Dubey(PRO)]]>

VENUE: Jehangir Art Gallery 161-B, M.G. Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001 Timing: 11am to 7pm. www.lenemakwana.com An exhibition of Paintings series titled “CONSTRUCTIONS” by Australian contemporary artist Lene Makwana. This show has been inaugurated on Tuesday 13th Nov. 2018 by Mr. Christopher Ellinger, Australian Deputy Consul General, Mumbai in Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai . THE ARTIST Lene Makwana is a Perth, Western Australia based mixed media artist born in Norway. Her interest toward art started as a child and was fostered throughout her schooling. She has studied fine art and art history at Einar Granum School of Arts in Norway, Illustration at Kristiania University College in Oslo and has completed her BA Illustration Design from Curtin University in Perth. Leaving Norway, she took with her knowledge of Scandinavian design trends and its characteristic of clean lines and simple colour palettes, and currently works on international and global projects from her studio and gallery in Perth. Lene’s art is characterised by detailed patterns and tactile surfaces, and she has worked on art and design projects in Norway, India and Australia. Her architectural elements and pattern-work inspired by systems and grids are suitable for a variety of different uses in interiors and aesthetics. ABOUT THE EXHIBITION An exclusive selection of the first twenty artworks in a series of one hundred by Western Australian fine artist Lene Makwana will be showcased at Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai from 13th November to 19th November 2018. The “Construction” series by fine artist Lene Makwana is a reflection on the artists’ experiences being a Norwegian residing in Perth, Western Australia and with close ties to India. The theme “Construction” is developed from the artists’ exploration of grids and patterns as representations of social construct and identity, and the diptychs (two artworks combined together) address the falling “in between” in various cultures, making the theme of the exhibition relevant in many ways, one being the journey of an immigrant. The diptych is an attempt to introduce and activate the space between the actual artworks, addressing the space and given time where directions change in life. Lene is a mixed media artist working with paper collages, watercolour paintings and drawing, and she also works with combining digital and traditional tools and mediums. She works with both figurative and abstract art, exploring balance, directions and colours as reflections on personal and cultural identity. Lene is participating in the Festival of Australia in India 2018 – 2019 with a solo exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, being the only visual artist from Western Australia to showcase contemporary art from the state during the festival. Lene Makwana is a Western Australian based visual artist and designer from Norway and she is residing in Perth with her Indian born businessman husband. ABOUT THE FESTIVAL On 18 September 2018 Australia’s High Commissioner to India Her Excellency Ms. Harinder Sidhu, launched Australia Fest – a six month long celebration of Australian culture, involving over 75 events across 20 cities in India. ARTIST STATEMENT My art explores the diversity of self, created from living between three diverse cultures. I am Norwegian, and live in Australia with my Indian husband, and I have encountered many differences but also similarities between the cultures of these three countries and are inspired by how my sense of self has grown being a part of all of them. Being present within, but also being between cultures has given me an opportunity to embrace certain aspects of each whilst growing and enriching my own sense of self. I am fortunate to be able to speak from this perspective, and find that it enriches my art, and pushing it beyond colour and shape. My work is also a channel for reflection and explorations on inner levels. The “Construction” series, which is a body of work in progress, address aspects of personal, cultural and social construction of identity through the impact of globalisation. The series will be completed when I reach 100 pieces, and the body of work has led me to focus on abstract imagery rather than figurative, as working with abstract elements gave me more freedom to explore than what figurative elements could. With the explorations of abstract elements, the diptych became a way to introduce aspects of time and space into my work. My Scandinavian background has for my work resulted in balanced and clean compositions, and with limited colour palettes. It is important for me to keep an open and intuitive approach to my work, where small and sharp-edged details are combined with soft surfaces and textures as a result of my preferred mediums; watercolours and inks. ——–Abhishek Dubey(PRO)]]>