NEW BLOG!!

Hello!
Recently, I started a new blog, exclusively to talk about the Veena. I have written an article about Veena in this blog too, following which I thought I can dedicate an entire blog to it.
I will be writing about some of the stories associated with the instrument, techniques and everything else I can think of about it.
I decided to call it "Veena In Me", a title that originated out of the idea that 'We are what we do'. I also plan to start a channel soon to upload some of my original content, in hopes that you can listen to Veena and enjoy its melody.

So, go ahead and click on this link below to read more about this curious classical instrument!

Click here to visit Veena In Me

T∆L€nclave

Talent and entrepreneurship are ideas that have always inspired me and for the first time, I tried to mix these two concepts.

In the month of May this year, I had conducted an event with the kids in my layout where they could exhibit their talents through entrepreneurship. They could make products (craft, art, etc), cook food or design games and put up a stall. People visiting these stalls would buy their products or services and the kids would manage their stalls.
This came to be known as 'TalEnclave', which means a collection or an enclave of talent.

The process for the event began a month earlier:

1. I first spoke to kids in my layout playing around- I explained the idea and waited for a response. Positively, many of them seemed excited and really wanted to do something.

2. Then came spreading the message about the event and getting more kids to participate. So, I spoke to people in my layout who guided me through the procedures. I had to approach the layout committee which was responsible for its cultural events. I told them about the idea and requested permission to conduct it and send emails to the layout.

3. With that being done, the kids got into action, planning and making their products.

4. To meet the expenses of the event like a small memento for participation and the cost of banners, I approached sponsors with the help of my mom's supportive friends .

The event took place on 15th May 2015 from 11am to 3pm in the Rainbow Residency Clubhouse. More than 40 kids put up 15-20 stalls displaying models of their talents and creativity.

 

The row of stalls

 

 

There were food stalls with cakes, muffins, chaat, sandwich, etc

 

 

There were stalls selling handmade art items like paintings, paper products, bags, jewelry, etc

 

 

Some kids also put up game stalls to keep the buyers engaged and enthusiastic.

 

 

The happy parents and customers

 

 

 

The happy team at the end of the day, after packing up

 

 At the end of the day, kids not only took back their boxes filled with money from the sale but a tremendous learning as to how they can manage stalls, make products and sell them. 

They went back with hearts filled with joy, satisfaction and memories to cherish forever.

The day left people motivated and wanting more.

 

Something about the VEENA

As you might have read in my description, I play the Veena. For those of you who don't know what it is, Veena is an Indian musical instrument, used particularly in the carnatic classical genre.

Veena is a plucked string instrument. It consists of 4 main strings and 3 of which are strum using the little finger.
Each of these strings are tuned according to their respective octaves of a particular pitch.

These wooden pegs are used to tune the strings.


Veena is made of wood that comes from the bark of a Jackfruit tree. The making involves a very complex procedure.

Making of a Veena:

1. The Jackfruit wood is produced and seasoned. 

2. A circular resonator is carved and scooped out to make it hollow

3.  The resonator is covered with a wooden sheet and carvings are done on it to enhance its look

4. Metal rings are placed on one side and strings are attached to it.

5. A mixture of beewax and charcoal is placed on the finger board and 24 frets made of brass are fixed on the wax mixture.

6.  Pegs and knobs are made of rose wood and fitted on the body of the instrument with the help of beewax.

7. Finally. a curved graceful structure is carved out on the side of the veena, where the strings meet the pegs.

8. The Veena is polished in lac and sent to the market. 

Playing of the Veena-

Veena is played by placing the middle and index fingers of the left hand on the frets and simultaneously plucking the respective strings using the index and middle fingers of the right hand.
The smaller circular base is placed on the left lap and one is to sit cross legged while playing. 

Hope this post was informative and to know more about the Veena, contact me at-
sriranjani.kalimani@gmail.com
 

What to do when you're bored

Very often we find ourselves in a situation where we have nothing to do. But thankfully this can be solved!
Here are a few things that you can do when you're bored-

1. Write a blog post, like I am now. I'm currently sitting amidst a big crowd, yet talking to none.

2. Do some people-watching. Its fun to watch people for a while and observe all that's going on around us... It does get boring after a point but is a good start!

3. Play on your phone. This should have been the first thing to do but you may not always carry your gadgets around.... And right now, I'm bored of all the games I possess so just blogging.....

4. Try talking to random people and indulge into conversation. This is very helpful because the next time you're bored, you may find them to talk to! If you find yourself socially awkward, this could be a great start to overcome the awkwardness!!

5. Click pics and selfies. You can delete them later though... This is actually the best thing to do because clicking pictures is always fun!!

Have a great day!!

How I started my blog....

This my very first blog post and I'm going to tell you the story of how I came about starting my blog...

I have been on Blogger for quite some time but haven't actually posted anything until now. This is primarily because I wasn't aware of my very existence on Blogger until I Googled my name! I realized I had a very old blog with a very old but cute description. It was written when I was in my previous school, as a 3rd grader. There weren't any posts except my introduction and a picture of myself!

I think that old blog was an experiment by my father after I had created an e-mail id for myself. I think I was aware of the blog but I never gave much to it so I forgot about it.

When I saw this old blog a few years ago, I decided to give it a new look. But later I thought of deleting my blog because I didn't know what to do with it....
I kept debating with myself and came to a conclusion of deleting my blog. I was quite happy with my decision.

I was pretty sure that I had deleted my blog. Then some of friends told me that they found my blog on Google with the same cute description of a 3rd grader. This was also the time another friend of mine had opened her blog. I visited her blog and it became an inspiration to start a new blog of mine.

However I didn't delete the blog and create a new one but just changed a little bit of my old blog and made it look new!
This is my final blog with the very first post!!! :D <3