Wednesday, 29 July 2015

A homage to our favorite President... Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam

How does one go about defining a perfect role model? 

Does one carry a list of all humanly possible positive points and try to seek them in one person? Or do you define it as someone who has already tread the same path as you want to and been successful at doing so? 

Everyone has a different parameter to define her or his own role model. And then we can have endless debates about who fits the bill of a Perfect Role Model. It would be a tough exercise to do and even tougher to arrive at a conclusion. 

But, for me, one person made all these difficulties disappear. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. 

His story is the quintessential stuff of Bollywood movies. And yet, we keep searching for good stories everywhere. He did not let setbacks or lack of opportunities affect him negatively. To have that kind of an optimism and maturity at a young age, is quite a rarity.

Image result for apj abdul kalam quotes


His career as a scientist and as a leader of his colleagues is already the stuff of legends. This lead to him ultimately being heralded as the Missile Man of India, on the back of which his popularity grew manifold. Like one of his quotes, his missiles too demanded that India respect itself, before it demanded that from the world. 






His rise to the chair of the President of India should serve as enough motivation to people who wish to work hard and earn their rightful share of success. His simplicity, despite being the President should serve as a lesson to all to remain humble through success. His zeal I hope one day permeates the leaders of this vast country and challenges them to shun all the negativity they have towards each other and work constructively towards building an India of Kalam sir's dreams. 


I had found my role model in APJ Abdul Kalam sir long ago. That he is a perfect role model or not, is something I let you decide for yourself. 

We leave you with one of the many famous Kalam sir's quote.

    

  

                                  





Sunday, 19 July 2015

A change we can bring into someone's life...

Sorry folks, we had a major health breakdown in our family from past two weeks. With each one of us getting either fever or the cold, we could not post any blog last week. We apologise for that. We hope and wish that all our readers to be healthy and safe in this weather change that has took over India.

When I was sick, my mom cuddled me (yes I am much older and way past the cuddling age, but she did cuddle me and I liked it!) and served me with hot food preparations and took care of me. I felt so blessed to be there with her and having looked after in time of need. 

As the ever meandering mind I have, I thought about all those kids who did not have this luxury called "Mother" and were living off the streets braving the weather and life circumstances. I thought how can small kids who are just three and four feed themselves without others help. It is not possible. Leave alone clothes or shelter, food the very basic need to survival, is scarce to them. They go looking out for food in dumpsters or beg or have to steal to feed themselves. 

A sad state indeed!

On a similar note, we came across a robust organisation who have carved their name in the world. They need no introduction. The Mumbai dabbawalas! This organisation came up with an initiative to feed the street kids with meals. It was started more than two years ago...

Click on the video below  to know more.





In India, festivals and marriages are big part of our lives. We always cook more than what is required and end up throwing the palatable extra food at the end of the day. When we are enjoying on joyous occasions, why cant we be more conscious and end up spreading this joy to the needy as well. After all, celebrations are enjoyable when we are and share with everyone.

Though not dabbawalas, in many metros, lot of NGOs and volunteers are just a call away. They pick the food at your doorstep and distribute it to the needy people on the street. Now that is what makes a change. 

All we have to do is have the heart to share our wasted food and plan in ahead. Call the organisations who accept food and check their criteria in terms of acceptability and timings. Some organisations have certain time restrictions within which they would want the food to be delivered. If you are organising a function, you can ask your caterers to donate the excessive food to such organisations.

You, as an individual can bring the change into so many kids lives. 

Tell us if you know someone who has been doing something similar. We want to know how to resolve this issue on such large scale.


As it is rightly said, "Helping hands are better than praying lips" 

Monday, 6 July 2015

Feature of the month: A glimpse into the life of a singer...

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
– Abraham Lincoln

The New Young Us is excited to start this feature in our blog. Through this feature we would like to take readers on a journey of the unknown. The New Young Us team went in search of the young achievers who have not only captured young hearts with their work but also taken an unusual route to achieve it.

These features are dedicated to all those youngsters who dream to be different and their parents for the continual support they give to their kids. 


The New Young Us is proud to introduce you a talent whose perseverance, hard work, and Arjuna type focus on her goal, made her dream become a reality. She started learning vocal classical  music at the age of 9, trained to be a scholar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkatta at the age of 20. She has a Masters in her field and is also a Sangeet Visharad. She has performed in various concerts in India and abroad. She recently cleared her NET exams and is now an Assistant Professor in Music. Now that's what we call "A Young Achiever"

Meet Teja Kale-Godse, all of 30 years and still in pursuit of her never ending dream to excel in music and singing. 

Teja Kale-Godse Hindustani Classical singer


The New Young Us team (TNYU) had the privilege to interview her. Here is how our interview went...

TNYU: We would like to begin with congratulating you on the recent passing of NET exams. How do you feel about it?
Teja: Thank you so much. It feels amazing to see how I am able to realise my dreams one by one.

TNYU: Tell us something about your journey into singing...
Teja: I am a professional and performing Hindustani Classical Vocal musician and have been learning for the last 14 years and performing for the last 6 years. I belong to the family of music lovers. I started my Hindustani Classical Music training at the age of 9 with Pandit. Gangadharbua Pimpalkhare. Later on, I pursued under Smt. Shaila Datar {the Grand Daughter in law of Late Pt. Bhaskarbua Bakhale}. Further I was commissioned as a scholar in ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata under the guidance of Pandita Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar.I regularly perform in India at several venues. I just had my first international concert in Dubai in Jan 2015.

TNYU: Teja, tell us why did you choose to explore the world of singing? What was your inspiration behind it?
Teja: My father Mr. Chandrakant Kale is a theatre-vocal artist and my mother Sandhya Kale has been a tabla player.  I grew up listening the tunes of stalwarts like Pt. Kumar Gandharva, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, etc. My fascination for Hindustani classical has its roots in my childhood which was conducive to get me into this field. My parents inspired me to get into this field and pursue it as my career.

TNYU: Enlighten our readers as to how one can begin their journey in this field?
Teja: Actually Gurukul system is an only option in this field of Music. But there are some institutions like Gandharva MahavidyalayBharatGayan Samaj ,where every year exams are conducted for kids and beginner can learn the basics of music. They conduct exams from Prathama {1st exam} to Alankar {equivalent to Masters}.

TNYU: Is there any academic training that needs to be pursued in this field?
Teja:  No. Not necessarily. After all this is a performing art. But it is always better to be an educated one, so that one can explain their art with technicalities to the people. You can enhance your knowledge.

TNYU: Did being a child of a theatre-vocal artist help your career? How difficult was it to break into this field?
Teja: No. Though I had a foundation to Hindustani classical music,  it never occurred to me that I should utilise my parent's contacts. The field of singing does not function like that. 

The most important factor in classical music is your Guru. It is considered that this association is based on a pure bond of seeking knowledge and there are no limits to this. It is seen these days, the shishya visits the Guru once or twice a week for music lessons. Seeking permission from the Guru, the shishya can perform starting at a small level which is called as ‘Baithak ’(house concerts). After attaining the level to perform public concerts, they can perform at a larger scale, like festivals. Getting a break is more of a perspective and for me, performing on the stage besides my guru Vidushi. Becoming a shishya of Shruti Sadolikar Katkar is something, I consider a break in this field. 

Teja Kale-Godse in concert


TNYU: What are the possible hurdles one can face in this field?
Teja: The way I see it, straying away from the guidance of a Guru or not being able to find a Guru at all, can be the only hurdles in this field. This field essentially is about passion and dedication.  Both combined together can only lead to being successful.

TNYU: Looks like this field takes lot of time and effort. Is it advisable to have an alternative career to be able to meet ends?
Teja:  It is an individual perspective. One can pursue their academics in singing itself to be able to learn, grow and teach music. There are amazing chances where the student can do their Bachelors and Masters of Arts in Music. One can teach in schools after completing their B.Ed, M.Ed or can clear the NET exams {National Eligibility Test} conducted by UGC and get a job as an Assistant Professor.  

TNYU: What type of pay scales can one expect when they pursue the academic side of things in music (both concerts and full time employment)?
Teja:  Everyone has their own scales when it comes to concerts. Some might sing as a favour in some venues or some may sing for a fixed amount of money. This is very individual and I cannot comment. 
               As for the teaching career in universities, a lecturer or an Assistant Professor can go about an average pay-scale of Rs. 40,000 per month. Again this depends on the academic pursuits of the singer.

TNYU: Teja, one advise you would like to give to our youngsters
Teja: I just want to convey my feelings to all my young friends, that this Classical Music both Karnataki and Hindustani is our own culture. This is an amazing field where you can always create something new. But you have to be very patient for that.You have to have full faith in your Guru. It is an understanding of the value, spirit and soul of music which develops within you. It is not just a career but a passion. It is a mode of life.

You can hear Teja's performance on below links.

  • Raag Durga Sur Hindol, performed in Dubai (January 2015)


  • Yaman Tarana



Teja currently lives in Pune, is married, happily balancing her career as well as home. Her next agenda is to apply for PHD. 

She can be contacted for programs and classes on this email id: kteja23@gmail.com

The team of The New Young Us wishes her all the very best in her rocking career and to keep inspiring the youngsters all around the world.