ISKCON of Central NJ presents

Odissi Classical Dance Class for Kids

Kala Niketan Odissi Teacher – Bani Ray Mataji

For: Kids of ages 4-12

Where: 143 Route 35, Laurence Harbor, NJ

When: Twice a month: Second and Fourth Sunday of Month

13Jan08(Sun: 3PM-4PM) and 27Jan08(Sun: 3PM-4PM) for Jan08

10Feb08(Sun: 3PM-4PM) and 24Feb08(Sun: 3PM-4PM) for Feb08

09Mar08(Sun: 3PM-4PM) and 23Mar08(Sun: 3PM-4PM) for Mar08

Fees: $25/month (for two classes per month)

About Odissi teacher Bani Ray: Bani Ray an exponent of Odissi has been delving in dance since the age of six. She studied dance under some of the most revered gurus and has been learning Odissi since 1970, from Shri Hari Krishna Behera, Valmiki Banerjee, Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir, and the Late Guru Shri Nath Raut. Apart from Odissi, Bani has also studied Mohini Attam, Manipuri and various other folk dance forms. Bani has performed extensively throughout India and the United States and has received numerous scholarships, fellowships, and awards for her expertise in the field of dance. As a joint director of Nehru Institute of Odissi Research and Training in Delhi, India, she has organized international seminars, symposiums and training programs for aspiring young dancers. Bani has performed at ISKCON Brooklyn, ISKCON Philadelphia and ISKCON Gita Nagari as well.

The children are given an opportunity to learn the science of God through:

story telling and fun filled games (based on Bhagwad Gita, Srimad Bhagawatam, Ramayan, Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes, Vaishnava Saints)
arts and crafts,
Sanskrit verses (shloka) recitation with English meanings ,
Singing along with traditional musical instruments,
Group discussions that suggest the practical application of Vedic knowledge into our modern lives.
Drama, skits and dance for special occasions,
Field trips and Summer Camp are coming up in near future.

The children are divided into two groups based on age:

Damodar Group: Ages 3 to 5 and Gopal Group: Ages 6 to 12.

The curriculum and teaching tools are slightly different for each group and are tailored to the age, needs, interests and concerns of the children in that particular group. The school takes place year round from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. during discourse time at Sunday feast program under the loving supervision of devotee parents. This provides the parents of Sunday school children an opportunity to focus on the main Discourse of the day.

A warm, nurturing and safe atmosphere of the school, with Lord Krishna as the center of all activities, has helped foster a close-knit community feeling amongst the children.

Admission Criteria: A registration form has to be filled out by the parents. The children should be between the ages of 3 and 12 years and must be regularly brought to the Sunday school by the parents. The parents are welcome to stay in the school if the child is not comfortable without the parent, or needs more attention that usual or has special needs.

Cost: The Sunday school is free to the regularly attending children.

If interested in enrolling, please contact :

Geetshri Borgaonkar at gitaborg@yahoo.com or 609 799 2501

Nityanavina Dasi at nityanavinabts@yahoo.com or 732 476 5518

Gita mataji at 732 566 0021