April - India Association of Greater Tulsa

The Oklahoma Desi
Volume III, Issue 2, April 2007
Bollywood Hungama—IAGT’s programming for 2007 was off to a great start with a rip roaring concert by Heartbeats
USA of Houston on February 24th. The trio of talented singers Geeta Kris, Nadeem Ashrafi, and Shayak along with percussionist Raheem entertained a crowd of over a hundred desi music lovers with a medley of sweet melodies of yesteryears,
ever popular qawwalis, and more recent Bollywood musical hits. The auditorium pulsated with the sounds of favorites like
“pyaar hua, ikrar hua” to “kajrare, kajrare” as the feet tapping audience sang along and a feisty group danced in the aisles.
The afternoon came to a perfect end with a short social hour and an assortment of delectable snacks and tea. The venue
was the new Central Center in Centennial Park set against the scenic backdrop of the historic downtown Tulsa skyline.
Our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, our hard working and dedicated volunteers, Shanta Ben for her delicious
cooking, the energetic and gifted artists, who at the end of a two hour scintillating performance were only “getting warmed
up,” and our enthusiastic guests and IAGT members who, as always, made time to attend and help make the event a huge
success.
Dillon International Lunar New Year Celebration—On Feb 18th 20007, IAGT was invited to provide entertainment
for Dillon International’s Lunar Year celebration. IAGT was responsible for providing two scintillating dance performances at
the Double Tree Hotel for Dillon International’s Annual Fund raising Auction and Dinner. Kajal Sangal and Nikki Duggal performed a modern mix of Bharat Natayam to “Dheem”, Choreographed by Priya Raju. A Koli dance was performed by Akanksha Ray, Anika Shetty, Tejal Desai, Arjun Reddy, Pranav Kaul and Arnav Kaul, choreographed by Hema Kumar. The performance was enjoyed by all and we continue to be invited to share our culture and art forms within the greater Tulsa area.
IAGT Invites Sponsorships for Events and Activities—IAGT being a non-profit organization, encourages
and seeks sponsorship for all events, activities and mailings of its newsletter. If you wish to be a Sponsor, please contact
Bharat Soni @ 918-252-0998.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors of the Bollywood Hungama program for their generous support.
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Mr. Dayal Meshri for sponsoring food “In Loving Memory of Dr. Indurani D. Meshri”
Mr. Sadanand Joshi, a gold sponsor of the event
Mr. Kalpesh Desai for providing accommodation for the artists.
Mr. Rabin Palit for printing the program sheets and new IAGT banner
Mr. Chaitanya Manne, a silver sponsor of the event
New Look IAGT Website—Checkout the new and improved IAGT website, http://www.iagtok.org, designed by
Santanu Das who kindly donated his time and creative efforts to IAGT.
IAGT Directory—The new 2007 IAGT directory is ready. Please pickup your copy during Holi picnic or contact one of
the IAGT executive committee members.
IAGT Calendar of Events - 2007
•April 14-15, 21-22, 28, 2007
•Sunday April 29th, 2007
•Saturday September 8th, 2007
•Saturday Nov 17th, 2007
•December 31, 2007
Games Month—Chess, Cricket, & Badminton
Holi Picnic, Haikey Creek Park , 4.00-7.00 p.m.
Utsav—India Fest, HTGT
Diwali Program, Thoreau Academy Auditorium
New Years Eve Party
If you have not
renewed your IAGT
Membership please
do so today.
Log on to our website www.iagtok.org
for membership form.
Community News:
SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS/ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
Nikhil Mutalik, 8th grader at Jenks Middle School placed 1st individually and was on the first
place team in the 2007 Oklahoma State MathCounts competition. Nikhil is part of the 4-member
Oklahoma State team that will compete at the LockHeed Martin National MathCounts 2007 competition to be held in Ft Worth, Texas May 10-13.
Nikhil also placed 2nd in the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) Middle
School Math Contest held on March 3rd, 2007, in which around 200 students from all over Oklahoma participated.
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Congratulations!!!
Keerthi Karamched, a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma in Norman was crowned the 2007 – 2008
Ms Asian OU on Tuesday, March 27. Best wishes and good luck to Keerthi from all of us.
Bollywood Hungama
Dillon International Lunar New Year Celebration
SPECIAL EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Amjad Ali Khan InConcert–“When Amjad Ali Khan performs, he
carries with him a deep human spirit and a great sense of caring.”
Says the Dalai Lama.
“I am singing through my instrument,” says Khan. He was all of 6
years old, when Amjad Ali Khan gave his first recital of Sarod. Today
he shoulders the sixth generation inheritance of this legendary lineage. He is the recipient of the UNESCO award, Padma Vibhushan(highest Indian civilian award, the Unicef’s national ambassadorship award among many others.
"Amjad Ali Khan is the master of the Sarod. Smaller than a sitar, it
has 19 strings. Accompanied by his two sons, Amaan Ali Khan and
Ayaan Ali Khan, on similar instruments, they created a 57-string
three-man symphony orchestra." says the Times of London
Brought to you by SAPAF (The South Asian Performing Arts Foundation).
SAPAF is excited to present the legendary Amjad Ali Khan Master of Sarod in concert with his sons Amaan Ali Khan and
Ayaan Ali Khan on Sunday April 8th at the John H Williams Theatre at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center at 6 pm. Tickets are
$50, $35 and $25
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this performance in Tulsa, Don't miss it!!!!!!
For more information, visit www.sapaf.org
Indian Ocean–SAPAF is presenting Indian Ocean, as its musical series "Raga - Melodies of India", India's premier RockFusion band, will be performing on Saturday, Aug-11-2007 @ 7pm at John H. William Theater, Tulsa PAC. Tickets $15,
$10(Students, Sr. Citizens). Call 918-408-7108 / 918-361-7472 for more information. visit www.sapaf.org
Community Calendar of Events
th
Sat, April 7 3.30 p.m., Ugaadi 2007 - Multi-Cultural Program, Thoreau Demonstration Academy,
7370 E. 71st. Street, Tulsa, OK 74133
Oklahoma Telugu Sangam Celebrating "Multi-Cultural" Program, Programs will be in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati,
Karnataka, Bengali & Punjabi etc.
Cost: Food & Entertainment - $10.00 Adult - $5.00 children
Contact: Hari Musapeta, 637-8185 or email: hmusapeta@aol.com.
Theme: Unity in Diversity - EVERYONE IS INVITED—SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT AND LOCAL CHILDREN.
April—IAGT Games Month
Saturday-Sunday, April 14-15, Chess, Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St. (93rd & Memorial), Contact: Ajay, 249-4724
Saturday-Sunday, April 21-22, Cricket, Contact: Bharat, 252-0998
Saturday, April 28, Badminton, Nienhuis Park Community Park, Broken Arrow, Lynn Lane between 51st & 61st streets (3201 N. 9th), Contact: Rajesh, 806-2406
Prizes for winners and Certificates for all participants, awarded during IAGT-Holi Picnic
Sun, April 29th 4.00- 7.00 p.m., IAGT - HOLI PICNIC, Haikey Creek Park, 11300 S Garnett Rd, Broken Arrow
Fun, Food, and Games for All. We suggest you wear old clothes for the occasion.
Business Networking Opportunities:
May 18, 2007 Edmond - Coffee Creek Golf Club Annual Golf Tournament
July 18-19, 2007 Oklahoma City 29th Annual OMSDC Business Conference and Opportunity Fair
Contact: Hari Musapeta, MBA ATM, Board Member, OMSDC. 918-438-6270.
HTGT calendar of events can be accessed through their website, www.tulsatemple.org
Obituary
Suresh Dhanji—The South Asian community mourns the loss of Suresh Dhanji who passed
away suddenly on February 13, 2007. Mr. Dhanji was a very familiar face at the India Palace
Restaurant where he had worked for the last several years. “Every one’s favorite waiter”
brought joy, humor, and warmth to all whose lives he touched. His big smile, jokes and banter
were a memorable part of the dining experience at India Palace and his untimely departure
has left a big void in our hearts. He is survived by his mother, wife, two sisters, and two sons
for whom he was the sole provider. Donations in Mr. Dhanji’s memory may be made to a fund
set up to help his family with Chase Bank at 61st and Lewis. Contributions may also be made
directly at India Palace.
In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Hema Latha Chathurvedula
Hema was born in Hyderabad, India.
Survived by her Husband, Murthy, Daughter's Shruthi & Keerthi, Parents, one
Sister and two Brothers.
Friends and Family will remember her as a kind and loving person. We will always cherish her memories and she will remain in our Hearts forever.
A Noble, Kind-Hearted and Loving Soul
July 01, 1964 to March 20, 2007
• Please send in community news, your achievements and accomplishments and details about
events to indiatul@iagtok.org
• Please subscribe to IAGT group e-mail list by sending an e-mail to iagt-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
• Please visit IAGT Website for updates—http://www.iagtok.org
Volume III, Issue 2 April 2007
The Oklahoma Desi
The Oklahoma Desi
IAGT
P.O. Box No. 54682
Tulsa, OK 74155-4682
To