Nikita’s 7th birthday

Natasha’s guitar recital

We had some severe winter weather in early January, 2011. Overnight there was nearly six inches of snow!! We had all sorts of unique snow formations! Sharmila and I lit up a fire in the background and sat out in deep snow with our coffee!! Schools were closed for three days!!!

This album captures our memories from 2010

Like every year, Nikita and Natasha had a dance performance in Durga Puja this year too. One big difference this time – they both danced together in the same dance. The choreographer was Mayuri Ray. As always, she did an excellent job.

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”