Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture has been a centre for cultural activities since long. Artists from various disciplines have congregated at the Institute at different times to perform and to teach. A home away from home for them, they have not only enriched the lives of the people at the Institute but have come away enriched themselves. At the Institute, cultural activities are seen not only as means of self-expression but also of expressing God in life - a vibrant, colourful adoration of God.
The Institute regularly organizes attractive cultural programmes. Eminent artists of Kolkata and elsewhere offer solo or group performances quite often.
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Shakti Centre
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Out cultural unit, offering classes in music ,dance and painting had 410 students. The dance and music classes are being conducted by well-known artists, such as Kalyani Roy(Sitar), Amar Laha(Piano), Shanti Bose(Dance), Roma Mondal(Rabindra Sangeet), Swastika Mukherjee(Devotional songs), Santwana Roy Choudhuri (Recitation) etc. This unit organizes various cultural programmes and workshops. Following are some of the activities that were organized by the unit during the year. There are about 20 teachers and staff imparting training to the aspirants.
New classes including Synthesizer, Recitation and Mohiniattam were introduced and quite a number of students took admission.
On 18th November,2002,Shakti Centre staged their annual programme under the direction of eminent singer Smt. Swastika Mukherjee. Students of the Centre presented a spectacular show on that date.
On 19th January,2003 in the morning, Shakti Centre presented a cultural programme by students
The Sanjukta Panigrahi Memorial Dance Competition, Madhuri Mukherjee Memorial Devotional Songs Competition and Maya Mitra Instrumental Music Competition were held on 25th and 26th January,2003.Around 200 competitors took part. These were a grand success.
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Language Classes
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The Institute runs language classes in French and English. The French class, continuing for over 25 years, has met with widespread acclaim. More than 30 students on an average per month have attended the French class in the last academic session.
"English for Young Learners" offered by Cambridge University met with considerable success.
Spoken English classes were conducted as before. An average of 25 students per month attended this class.
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Yoga classes
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Yoga classes are being conducted by Bishwasri Monotosh Roy. Enthusiasm for participation in the Yoga classes continues unabated. The student strength in the past year has been around 60 on an average per month. Classes are held once a week (Wednesday)
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Library
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Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture has a well-stocked library with books on Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The Library is functioning smoothly. Apart from The Mother's and Sri Aurobindo's works, books on religion, literature, philosophy, serve as background reading for a better understanding of Sri Aurobindo's writings.
Estimated total of these books is more than 7400. The Library has been given a new look for more readers' convenience. Library now remains open the whole day without any break.
There is a good collection of reference books and a number of rare books. One qualified librarian and two associates see to the efficient running of the library.
The Library has around 400 members on its roll with an average of 30 members visiting the library daily. The Library remains open from 9 AM to 7 PM daily thru Monday to Saturday.
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Publications, Books and Journals
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Basudhara has been given a face-lift and is now published twice a year on 21st February and 15th August.
The Institute published, "Samasamoiker Chokhey Sri Aurobindo" , written by Prithwindra Nath Mukherjee, committed by Joyadi to the author and a memorial volume on Joyadi herself, with anecdotal accounts and tributes from people of many walks of life. An excellent review by Subhas Ghosal on "Samasamoiker Chokhey Sri Aurobindo" was published by Ananda Bazar Patrika.
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