This was Natasha’s first horse riding event. She is totally into horses. That is about the only physical exercise she is willing to do. Left to herself, she would be with the horses for hours everyday. Here, she is riding Magic.

Natasha gave up piano after about 6 or 7 years and picked up guitar last year. This is a recital she did in March. Supporting here in this number is her teacher.

Saraswati Puja is the celebration of the goddess of education and music in India. In Bengal, we tend to celebrate it sometime in Jan or Feb. This time, in Atlanta, like every year, we had a great program for the whole day. Niki and Tasha danced. Niki was trained by Mayuri Ray and Tasha by Indrani Kar. Sharmila, of course was in charge of getting decked up and chatting up with old friends. And I stuck to my routine of showing up for my two responsibilities – eat lunch and take video of the kids’ dances. 🙂

Nikita’s dance – “Tui Keney Kaada Dili”

Natasha’s dance

Natasha is totally into horses. Left to herself, she would probably spend the whole day with horses. Here, she is cantering on Magic.

Durga Pujo is the biggest annual festival for Bengalis from India. We had a three day clebration here in Atlanta. Nikita and Natasha both danced in it. Sharmila was busy getting dressed up in all the traditional Indian clothes and chatting with her friends. I was mostly eating and making myself scarce. 🙂

The first video is of Nikita. This is a song composed by Tagore. Dance choreographed by our personal friend Mayuri Ray. The second one is by Natasha and her friends – this time a popular Bollywood song and choreographed by Mayuri again. The last one is by Natasha and her friends to a popular Bengali song – choreographed by another talented friend of ours – Indrani Kar.

Nikita’s performance – “Megher Koley”

Natasha’s first dance – “Dheem Ta Na”

Natasha’s second dance – “Saat Bhai Champa”

The family had a great time during our third summer in Atlanta. Tasha started horseriding, Niki started swimming, we went to Dallas and Hilton Head and we had a lot of friends home. The following video captures some of those moments…

Natasha and Nikita playing outside during the summer vacation – scootering and dancing….

Natasha and her friend Tanya put on a dance at a friend’s place for her birthday

Saraswati is the goddess of education and art. It is usually celebrated sometime in MArch or February. This year, Nikita had her maiden performance on the stage with her Indian dance to a Bengali song. Natasha had 2 dances this year. There were 27 kids who put up 5 dances and they ranged from something 3 years to 12 years or so. It was a great show put up by our personal friend – Mayuri Ray

Nikita’s maiden performance – “Aay Re Chhute Aay”

Natasha’s first dance – “O Alor Pathajatri”

Natasha’s second dance – “Dhitang Dhitang Boley”