Amrita Alana Kissoon is a fourteen year old Guyana native. She lives in Queens and will begin high school in September 2009. Amrita and her sister are both students of The Natya Tilakam Dance Company. Amrita would like to be an accomplished dancer, and also hopes to have a future in business and fashion.
Christine Sinanan is a sixteen year old student attending Richmond Hill High School. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and raised in Queens, New York. Christine has been involved with drama for a short period of time. She aspires to become a photographer.
Dana Marajh is a twenty-five year old New York native. She holds an MBA from Adelphi University, where she graduated in 2007 with honors. Dana has been dancing for over twelve years and has been formally trained in Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi dance styles under Smt Sadhana Paranji. She completed her Rangapravesam in 2004. In 2006, along with her partner Priya Gosain, Dana established the dance school, The Natya Tilakam Dance Company, in an effort to preserve the art of cultural Indian dance.
Daveena Rayshma Narayan is a twenty-two year old Bronx resident. She holds a Bachelor Degree from Lehman College and is presently a senior at Adelphi University’s School of Nursing. She hopes to become a Midwife. Daveena joined The Natya Tilakam Dance Company in 2008, but prior to that was a student/assistant teacher with the BB Productions Indian Classical Dance School in the Bronx. She has also been a Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi student at the Sadhanalaya School of Dance since 2006.
Devika Ramdath is a Trinidad-born singer. She began singing at the age of 9.. She sings Indian music, specifically bhajans and filmi music. Devika was the Grand-Finalist of the 1992 Mastana Bahar competition in Trinidad. She is a three-time winner of the Indo-Caribbean Arrival Day Ladies Singing Competition, held in Smokey Park. Devika is also the winner of the 2008 Indo-Caribbean STAR competition. Devika believes singing is her special talent and it is in her blood.
Gladston Tavares began acting as a hobby. It became her passion in 2005 when she landed the role of an extra in the Hindi film "Kal Ho Naa Ho," along side the renowned actor Shahrukh Khan. Since then she has acted in another film under the same production house, Dharma Productions. She loves to act and the whole experience involved with creating a production, whether it is in film or theatre. Gladston is currently a junior at Fordham University, where she is majoring in Communications and Media Studies. She is interested in performing and exhibiting her abilities and talents.
Karna Singh is a scholar and teacher of Indo-Caribbean cultural history. His archival work includes the Jung Bahadur Singh Collection of Historical Photographs and Documents. His scholarly writings are “Temples and Mosques: An Illustrated Study of East Indian Places of Worship in Guyana”; “Kalimai Puja: The Study of a Guyanese East Indian Folk Cult in its Socio-Cultural Context”; and “Fragments of Memory: The Making of Indo-Caribbean Heritage.” In 2001, Karna co-authored with Stephanos Stephanides, “Translating Kali’s Feast: The Goddess in Indo-Caribbean Ritual and Fiction”, which was published by Rodopi of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He has also participated in the production of video documentaries (Hail Mother Kali), CDs (Jaya, Jaya Devi: Traditional Tamil Songs of the Madrasis of Guyana), and various Indo-Caribbean Heritage texts for The Rajkumari Cultural Center’s program brochures (Kitchrie Annual Festivals, Mariemmen Pugal Malaai).
Mahadeo Shivraj has been active in the theatre for the past 21 years as actor, director and set-designer. He made his debut at the National Cultural Centre in Guyana and, to date, has acted in about 90 plays, professionally. He has directed approximately 30 plays and did the set-design for each one. He is the creator and director of the hit stage series, LAFF TIL YUH BELLY BUST. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Mahadeo has acted in the independent films: Playing Both Sides, Deep Trouble, Pressure, Snitch in New York, The Laverne Affair, Kicking it High, Sacrifice, Truth and Karma. He has worked as a background actor in many television shows, including The Sopranos, Hope and Faith, The Jury, Cosby, Law and Order, Law and Order Criminal Intent, Law and Order Special Victims Unit, as well as many Hollywood movies. He was featured in a non-speaking part in Cop Shop with Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss and as an anesthesiologist in the TV show “3 lbs”. He had a speaking part as a forensic expert on an episode of 100 Center Street directed by veteran director Sidney Lumet, well-know for the films ‘SERPICO’ and ‘DOG DAY AFTERNOON’ with Al Pacino. He had a speaking role as a vendor in an episode of NBC’S top series “30 ROCK”, entitled “FIREWORKS” in which he acted in two scenes alongside Tina Fey. He can be seen in the ‘NO SMOKING’ episode of “WE ARE NEW YORK’, which is presently being aired. He also portrays a bellhop in the film “Three Backyards”, which is now in post-production.
Manauvaskar Kublall is an award-winning director, community organizer, educator and visual artist born of Indo-Caribbean heritage. He credits his distinct artistic voice to his immigrant experience and a commitment to presenting stories of underrepresented communities so that they are heard, understood, respected and empowered to transform society. Manauvaskar is the Creative Director at Media Sutra Inc, a strategic consulting and creative services company that support clients to build capacity for impact and sustainability. He leads the company's Creative Services department. Recently Manauvaskar directed a short documentary of young leaders at the historic inauguration of the 44th President of the United States in Washington, DC, profiling the voices of leaders such as Van Jones, Jesse Carmichael and Mickey Madden of Maroon 5, Coumba Toure and Goapele. He premiered his film PRIMETIME: Fighting Back Against Foreclosures at the Museum of Modern Art in February 2009. This film adds a new narrative to an ongoing national discourse—one that is built on authentic voices, sharp analysis and a call for action. PRIMETIME was recently included into a summer long exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art that is focused on redlining. Combining his love of art and activism, Manauvaskar partners with South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!) to implement PAACE (Photography for Art, Activism and Creative Expression). He received his bachelor’s degree in media at Hunter College, CUNY. Manauvaskar can be reached at [email protected].
Mohamed Amin was born in Montrose Guyana, and always had an energetic passion for dancing. He started acting while attending Far Rockaway High School in plays like “Little Shop of Harris” and “The Wiz”. Pursuing his passion, Mohamed is now a trained Kathak, Orissi, Folk, Filmi, Bhangra and Chutney dancer. He has learned from one of the best in the field of international dance, Guru Dheeraj. Mohamed studied dance with the Ghungroos Dance Academy for five years under Guru Dheeraj. He has performed in many shows, including the first West Indian Music Awards and the Diwali 2008 Show. Mohamed has also performed in shows with Hindi film stars Urmila Matondkar, Aftab Shivdasani and Shilpa Shetty. Mohamed studied Information Technology. He owns a world class health and beauty company.
Mohini Kavita Tajeshwar was born in Queens, New York. She was taught under the discipline of Pt. Satya Narayana Charka of the East West School of Dance and Romanee Kalicharan of The Rajkumari Cultural Center. She began studying dance in 1995 and has performed in many productions, including Kitchrie, Ramayana, Krishna Leela, and most recently Kitchrie 2007 at Forest Park Bandshell. She has also worked with live artist such as Aron Jewan Singh, Jameer Hosein, Major League Tassa and Petrotrin Tassa group. Mohini has also trained with Kathak and Sufi artist Rani Khanam. Currently she is studying at Berkeley College for a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management.
Muhammad F. Sardar is an actor who has been featured in Hindi and Pakistani films, such as Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Mustaqbil and Zeeshan. Muhammad speaks English, Punjabi and Urdu/Hindi fluently. He also has acted in Kitchrie 2007 at Forest Park and several high school productions. He is currently studying at City College of Technology majoring in Radiologic Technology.
Nilesh Nicky Maharaj is an eighteen year old native of Sacramento, California. He attends American River College, majoring in Radiology. He plays, and volunteers teaching, the harmonium, dhol, keyboard, and mandolin at Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv Mandir for the community as well as the youth. He was a co-host radio announcer with his brothers and father in Sangeet Ki Leharein. He is a member of Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust for Fiji Islands. Nilesh Nicky enjoys singing bhajans, Kirtans, lokgeet and chautal. He is also performs various Hindu rituals and poojas. Currently he is a resident pandit at Shiv Mandir.
Pandit Ravendra Maharaj was born in Suva, Fiji Islands. He migrated to Sacramento, California in 1982. With the help of many supporters, Pandit Ravendra built the Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv Mandir in Sacramento. Pandit Maharaj has been a karam kand pandit since the age of 16. He was a radio announcer host of Sangeet Jhankaar and Sangeet Ki Leharein. Pandit Ravendra is the founder of various Mandalis, cultural groups and non-profit organizations. He created the first Bhajan Competition in 1982, in Sacramento, amongst the Indo-Fijian community. Pandit Ravendra also founded the Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust of Fiji Islands, a non-profit organization which provides scholarship to students in need, to pay for school fees, uniforms, and books.
Peter Manuel is a professor of Ethnomusicology at John Jay College and the CUNY Graduate Center. He has researched and published extensively on Indian and Indo-Caribbean music. His books include East Indian Music in the West Indies: Tan-Singing, Chutney, and The Making of Indo-Caribbean Culture. He has also produced a video documentary on Tan-singing of Trinidad and Guyana: Indo-Caribbean ‘Local Classical Music.’
Pritha Singh, Executive/Artistic Director: Pritha belongs to a family whose members have been distinguished leaders in Caribbean political, intellectual and cultural life. She is a multi-disciplinary artist with an extensive work history in arts management, theater and television production and marketing. Particularly interested in neglected heritage art forms, many of them unique variations of originals evolved from the East Indian Diaspora in Guyana, Suriname, Caribbean and New York, Pritha and her brother, the late Gora Singh (1950-1997), Kathak dance exponent, founded the Rajkumari Cultural Center in 1995. Pritha has pioneered and instituted several programs and projects critical to the Indo-Caribbean communities she serves, and the wider New York environment. Pritha’s began artistic journey from age 5 studying Ballet under Helen Taitt; Caribbean Folk Arts under with Doris Harper-Wills, Malcolm Hall; Rajdhar, Natya and Indian Leela with her parents, Hari and Rajkumari Singh; Kathak under Gora Singh and Kamudini Lakhia. She studied Literature and Theater Arts at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Herbert Berghof Playwrights Foundation, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Pace University. Passionate about Tamil-derived Mariemmen Theater of Music and Dance, and Bhojpuri-derived Tan Sangeet, Baithak Ki Gana and the Women’s Repertory, Pritha pursued knowledge with some of the great Indo-Caribbean custodians - Chinappa Virasawmi, Mukain Nagapoolay, Basdeo Mangal, Karna Singh, Gora Singh, Bharat Das, Kaloush Budhu, Ramrajie Prabhoo, Bhagmati Raghbir, Rudy Ramnarine, Dino Budram, Manraji Lachman and Pandit Gajadhar-Sukul. As Director of the Rajkumari Center, she utilizes all her skills, knowledge and experience to create a vibrant cultural and artistic organization that is the vanguard of a cultural renaissance to revive and revitalize Indo-Caribbean art and culture, and, to preserve, present and institutionalize these arts here in the United States.
Ramesh Deochand is a founding member and Public Relations Secretary of the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation. He is renowned as a versatile singer, actor, musician and community volunteer. His acting credits include Prahalad, Coming to America, Harischandra Taramati, Mirabai, Savitri, the Laff ‘Til Yuh Belly Bust series, and the Putu comedy routines. Ramesh played lead roles in Kitchrie 2002, Tulsidas, Backtrack and Till I dance with my people, I’ve never danced before.
Ramnarine “Rudy” Sasenarine is unique in his mastery of both Bhojpuri and Madrasi music traditions that he studied with legendary musicians and cultural custodians. Born in the Port Mourant district of Guyana, Sasenarine studied Bhojpuri dholak drumming, tan, chowtal, and other genres with Deowa (son of Mohana), Balgobin Singh, Ramdhani, Krishna Persaud, and Tejendra “Tej” Singh. He learned Madrasi thappu drumming, tarkum and nargum from Krishna Maistry, Mooken Nagapoollay, the Renganaden and Viraswami families. In 1979, Sasenarine moved to New York where he continues to perform and teach. He is a founding member of the music ensemble, Prem Sangeet. A skilled craftsman, he also makes the dholak drum.
Ramona Devi Singh is an enigmatic multi-disciplinary artist and cultural activist in the Indo-Caribbean community in New York. She studied Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi dance styles extensively under the late “Sudarkodi” Padma Ramanathan, with Raja Rajeshwari at the Padmalaya Dance Academy. In 2002, she began working with the Rajkumari Cultural Center, appearing in their annual Kitchrie festivals and theater productions, and studied Indo-Caribbean music and dance traditions – Tan Sangeet Music/Rajdhar Dance, Baithak Ki Gana Music/Lounda Ki Nauch Dance, and Mariemmen Music and Dance Theater with custodians from Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname. She studied traditional Women Songs with Smt. Bhagmatti Ragubir and Seorie Autar. In 2004 she began studying Kathak with Romanee R. Kalicharran. Ramona’s wider artistic abilities and interests include classical and ghazal singing which she studied under Kinnar and Payal Seen.
Romanee R. Kalicharran is a dancer/choreographer in the Lucknow Gharana style of Kathak. She began her early training under the late Gora Singh, and Pandit Satya Narayana Charka. At the Rajkumari Cultural Center, she studied Indo-Caribbean music, dance- drama and folk arts traditions – Tan Sangeet Music/Rajdhar Dance and Baithak Ki Gana Music/Lounda Ki Nauch Dance, and Mariemmen Music and Dance Theater of the Madrasi People of Guyana. Since 1999 she has been studying traditional women songs with Smt. Bhagmatti Ragubir. In 2002 she worked with Seorie Autar on Women’s Marriage (Vivaaha) songs for a new choreographic work the Bamboo Dance/Matikor Dance, marking her transformation as an artist with enormous vision and a compelling imagination. Romanee has a BA in Language Arts (CUNY) and an MA in Interculturalism in Performing Arts (NYU).
Ravinesh Rocky Maharaj is a twenty year old pandit and artist, born and raised in Sacramento, California. He currently attends American River College majoring in Respiratory Care. He plays, and volunteers teaching, the harmonium, dhol, keyboard, and mandolin at Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv. He was a co-host radio announcer with his brothers and father in Sangeet Ki Leharein. He is a Graphic Designer and secretary for Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust for Fiji Islands. He enjoys singing bhajans, kirtans, lokgeet and chautal. He performs various Hindu rituals and poojas. Currently he is a resident pandit at Shiv Mandir.
Ricky Ravi Maharaj is a twenty-five year old pandit and artist, born and raised in Sacramento, California. He is currently studying to become a radiologist. Ricky Ravi plays the tabla, dholak, and harmonium at Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv Mandir. He also teaches community members and the youth at the mandir. He co-hosted as a radio announcer with his father in Sangeet Ki Leharein. Ricky Ravi also was in charge of judging for the Chautal Prathiyogita, Kirtan Prathiyogita, and Bhajan Prathiyogita held. He is the vice-president of Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust for Fiji Islands. He has recoded Fiji bhajans and kirtans. Ricky Ravi enjoys singing bhajans, Kirtans, lokgeet and chautal. He is also a pandit and performs various Hindu rituals and poojas. Currently he is a resident pandit at Shiv Mandir.
Rudy Ramnarine is a master artist and musician of Indo-Caribbean drums - Dholak, Tappu and Dhantal Player. He is a disciple of Ustad Krishna Persaud of the Trinidad style of Tan Sangeet, renowned singer Ustad Balgobin Singh and famous Guyanese drummer Guru Ramdhani. At an early age he studied Tappu drumming, Tarkums and Nargums with Custodians Krishna Maistry, Mooken “Harowboy” Nagapoollay, the Renganadin Family and the Virasawmi Family at the Mariemmen (Madrasi) “Old Church” in Berbice, Guyana. Known to all as “Rudy,” he is one of the founders and coordinators of “Prem Sangeet,” the leading ensemble of the Guyanese style of Tan music in the U.S. The ensemble includes distinguished musical elders and custodians, Kalush Budhu, Bhagu Ragbir, and Chandradutt Maharaj. Rudy is active in Indo-Caribbean music in New York. He plays and performs with several mandirs, churches, organizations, and institutions.
Savetrie Bachan has had a passion for Indian dance since the age of eight. Recently earning a B.S from NYU in Speech Language Pathology, Savetrie will continue her education as she plans to pursue her Master’s Degree Fall 2009. Growing up in Brooklyn, she has always been fond of her Indian roots and, in addition to her love for dance, enjoys singing Bhajans and playing the harmonium. She is a member of the Natya Tilakam Dance Company and hopes to continue to learn more about the Bharatnatyam dance form. She is also a member of the Shri Rama Krishna Mandir in Brooklyn, NY.
Savita Romona Durjan has always had a passion for dancing. Born in Brooklyn, and raised in Queens, she has been around cultural Indian music most of her life. She currently attends Benjamin N. Cardozo High School and plans to major in Accounting, in college. Although she is a hard working student, she also sets time aside for her part time job and hobbies, such as playing basketball and dancing. Savita began dancing at the age of 16 and is currently dancing with the Natya Tilkam Dance Company. She is striving to become a great dancer and eventually a teacher.
Shabana Sharif has been actively working with the Rajkumari Cultural Center’s afterschool program Linking Identity to Living Arts (L.I.L.A) and with the 2009 Kitchrie Festival. Shabana is a Special Education Teacher. She received a Masters Degree from CCNY and Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from St. John's University. Shabana has served as a community volunteer in New York since she was a teenager and internationally, teaching English to elementary students in India for several months. Shabana has been active in the Richmond Hill community since she was seventeen years old, devoting her time and energy to a variety of organizations, including Neighborhood Housing Services, America India Foundation, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) and Sakhi for South Asian Women. Shabana currently serves on the Advisory Council of Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women. Shabana was also involved with Global Organization of People of Indian Origin's (GOPIO) twentieth annual conference this year. As a Richmond Hill resident, she aspires to continue the work of outreach, education and empowerment of the Indo-Caribbean community and the South Asian Diaspora.
Sharda Shakti Singh, writer of the one-act drama “Becoming Her” and the comedy scene “Triomphe Night,” is a prize-winning playwright, producer, director, and actress who studied theatre at CUNY Queens College, where she received her MA in Literature, and has worked with RCC since its inception. Her plays explore the themes of gender as well as cultural and generational conflict. Sharda was nurtured into the arts and social activism by her family members such as the late kathak pioneer Gora Singh, the late literary icon Rajkumari Singh, dramatist Pritha Singh, and vocalists and musicians such as Radha, Siah, and Chitra Singh, and scholar Karna Singh, just to name a few. As a child, she studied kathak dance under Gora Singh, then later she was briefly reintroduced to it by Romanee Kalicharran. Sharda is currently a student of martial arts. As the theatre teacher at Richmond Hill High School, she reshaped the drama curriculum to reflect the modern and culturally diverse voices of its students. Honing their talents and encouraging their expression is her most cherished role. In her one-act drama “Becoming Her,” Sharda pays tribute to all of the women- even her young colleagues working on this very production- who have taken up the torches of nurturing the arts within our community and who, ironically, also battle the intimate questions raised in her work.
Shaun Singh has been a producer for the last fifteen years. He wrote, produced, directed, and is responsible for the first South Asian show on Broadway, “Rang: Shades of my Soul” under his production company Shaun Singh Productions. He has also produced “Night of Fusion” at Lincoln Center with world-renowned artists Dr. L. Subramaniam, Kavita Krisnamurti, George Duke, Stanley Clark and other world artists. Shaun’s work has always aimed to entertain while educating at the same time, bringing about more awareness to Domestic Violence in our society. This remains a mission close to Shaun Singh’s heart.
Shrimati Bhagmati Ragbir, a popular wisdom-keeper and custodian of Indo-Caribbean women songs, is affectionately known as “Auntie Bhagu.” She leads a ladies singing gol (circle) in New York where she performs and teaches. Shrimati Ragbir learned to sing traditional folksongs and play dholak drum with her grandmother and mother as a little girl growing up in Guyana. As a young girl, her mother sent her to study Hindi with Pandit Udit Narine, from whom she also learned a large number of songs. As an adult, she belonged to women singing groups who traveled the country when sponsors called them to perform at religious and social events. Her CDs are “Shadi Sambad” (wedding songs), “Ishwar Sumiran” (sohar), and “Byaha Kahani” (matikor and wedding).
Simone Devi Jhingoor is an Indo-Caribbean writer, activist and educator. She has been organizing in communities of color for the last eight years, using art and culture as instruments for healing and for raising awareness on critical social justice issues. Simone is dedicated to impacting long-term change through her work with youth and women. She has facilitated spoken word and political education workshops citywide with teenagers and most recently an arts & empowerment program with an inter-generational group of women in Richmond Hill. Simone has been performing her poetry at various venues in New York City and as a featured performer at several universities. She is a co-founder of Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women and is on the board of the Indo-Caribbean Youth Center Initiative, an organization addressing the growing need for enriching programs enhancing the leadership and academic potential of Indo-Caribbean youth. She received her BA in Political Science from City University of New York-Hunter College. In 2006, as the Multi-Arts Program Administrator of the Rajkumari Center, Simone co-created the ground breaking youth program, L.I.L.A. – Linking Identity to Living Arts.
Taij Kumarie Moteelall is an award-winning Guyanese-born artist and activist, who has lived most of her life in New York City. Weaving words into a beautiful mosaic of ancestral memory and personal insight, she reclaims the past while creating new stories to shape her identity, foster dialogue and inspire action. To date, Taij has completed an extensive body of poetry, a full-length stage play (Breathe Me In) and is writing her first novel (Conflicting Karma). In 2002, the Mayor and City Council of New York City honored Taij for her contributions to the Indo-Caribbean community with a Proclamation. She is also a 2002 winner of the Union Square Awards for Grassroots Activists, and a 2006 winner of the Guyana Folk Festival Cultural Award. Taij is the Communications Director at Media Sutra, Inc, where she heads up the company's strategic consulting department. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of Resource Generation, a national philanthropic organization. Taij is a co-founder of Blackout Arts Collective, Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women, and founding board member of the Harlem Link Charter School. She received her BA from Hampshire College in History and Cultural Studies. Taij completed her thesis entitled "Shakti in the Caribbean: Voices of the Indo-Caribbean Woman" after traveling to Guyana and Trinidad to compile the oral history of her female ancestry. She completed her MA at New York University, and her Masters thesis, "Legacy of Voice: Cultural Expression and Representation as Resistance," explored the ways in which art and culture can be used as tools of empowerment. Taij can be reached at [email protected].
Christine Sinanan is a sixteen year old student attending Richmond Hill High School. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and raised in Queens, New York. Christine has been involved with drama for a short period of time. She aspires to become a photographer.
Dana Marajh is a twenty-five year old New York native. She holds an MBA from Adelphi University, where she graduated in 2007 with honors. Dana has been dancing for over twelve years and has been formally trained in Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi dance styles under Smt Sadhana Paranji. She completed her Rangapravesam in 2004. In 2006, along with her partner Priya Gosain, Dana established the dance school, The Natya Tilakam Dance Company, in an effort to preserve the art of cultural Indian dance.
Daveena Rayshma Narayan is a twenty-two year old Bronx resident. She holds a Bachelor Degree from Lehman College and is presently a senior at Adelphi University’s School of Nursing. She hopes to become a Midwife. Daveena joined The Natya Tilakam Dance Company in 2008, but prior to that was a student/assistant teacher with the BB Productions Indian Classical Dance School in the Bronx. She has also been a Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi student at the Sadhanalaya School of Dance since 2006.
Devika Ramdath is a Trinidad-born singer. She began singing at the age of 9.. She sings Indian music, specifically bhajans and filmi music. Devika was the Grand-Finalist of the 1992 Mastana Bahar competition in Trinidad. She is a three-time winner of the Indo-Caribbean Arrival Day Ladies Singing Competition, held in Smokey Park. Devika is also the winner of the 2008 Indo-Caribbean STAR competition. Devika believes singing is her special talent and it is in her blood.
Gladston Tavares began acting as a hobby. It became her passion in 2005 when she landed the role of an extra in the Hindi film "Kal Ho Naa Ho," along side the renowned actor Shahrukh Khan. Since then she has acted in another film under the same production house, Dharma Productions. She loves to act and the whole experience involved with creating a production, whether it is in film or theatre. Gladston is currently a junior at Fordham University, where she is majoring in Communications and Media Studies. She is interested in performing and exhibiting her abilities and talents.
Karna Singh is a scholar and teacher of Indo-Caribbean cultural history. His archival work includes the Jung Bahadur Singh Collection of Historical Photographs and Documents. His scholarly writings are “Temples and Mosques: An Illustrated Study of East Indian Places of Worship in Guyana”; “Kalimai Puja: The Study of a Guyanese East Indian Folk Cult in its Socio-Cultural Context”; and “Fragments of Memory: The Making of Indo-Caribbean Heritage.” In 2001, Karna co-authored with Stephanos Stephanides, “Translating Kali’s Feast: The Goddess in Indo-Caribbean Ritual and Fiction”, which was published by Rodopi of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He has also participated in the production of video documentaries (Hail Mother Kali), CDs (Jaya, Jaya Devi: Traditional Tamil Songs of the Madrasis of Guyana), and various Indo-Caribbean Heritage texts for The Rajkumari Cultural Center’s program brochures (Kitchrie Annual Festivals, Mariemmen Pugal Malaai).
Mahadeo Shivraj has been active in the theatre for the past 21 years as actor, director and set-designer. He made his debut at the National Cultural Centre in Guyana and, to date, has acted in about 90 plays, professionally. He has directed approximately 30 plays and did the set-design for each one. He is the creator and director of the hit stage series, LAFF TIL YUH BELLY BUST. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Mahadeo has acted in the independent films: Playing Both Sides, Deep Trouble, Pressure, Snitch in New York, The Laverne Affair, Kicking it High, Sacrifice, Truth and Karma. He has worked as a background actor in many television shows, including The Sopranos, Hope and Faith, The Jury, Cosby, Law and Order, Law and Order Criminal Intent, Law and Order Special Victims Unit, as well as many Hollywood movies. He was featured in a non-speaking part in Cop Shop with Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss and as an anesthesiologist in the TV show “3 lbs”. He had a speaking part as a forensic expert on an episode of 100 Center Street directed by veteran director Sidney Lumet, well-know for the films ‘SERPICO’ and ‘DOG DAY AFTERNOON’ with Al Pacino. He had a speaking role as a vendor in an episode of NBC’S top series “30 ROCK”, entitled “FIREWORKS” in which he acted in two scenes alongside Tina Fey. He can be seen in the ‘NO SMOKING’ episode of “WE ARE NEW YORK’, which is presently being aired. He also portrays a bellhop in the film “Three Backyards”, which is now in post-production.
Manauvaskar Kublall is an award-winning director, community organizer, educator and visual artist born of Indo-Caribbean heritage. He credits his distinct artistic voice to his immigrant experience and a commitment to presenting stories of underrepresented communities so that they are heard, understood, respected and empowered to transform society. Manauvaskar is the Creative Director at Media Sutra Inc, a strategic consulting and creative services company that support clients to build capacity for impact and sustainability. He leads the company's Creative Services department. Recently Manauvaskar directed a short documentary of young leaders at the historic inauguration of the 44th President of the United States in Washington, DC, profiling the voices of leaders such as Van Jones, Jesse Carmichael and Mickey Madden of Maroon 5, Coumba Toure and Goapele. He premiered his film PRIMETIME: Fighting Back Against Foreclosures at the Museum of Modern Art in February 2009. This film adds a new narrative to an ongoing national discourse—one that is built on authentic voices, sharp analysis and a call for action. PRIMETIME was recently included into a summer long exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art that is focused on redlining. Combining his love of art and activism, Manauvaskar partners with South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!) to implement PAACE (Photography for Art, Activism and Creative Expression). He received his bachelor’s degree in media at Hunter College, CUNY. Manauvaskar can be reached at [email protected].
Mohamed Amin was born in Montrose Guyana, and always had an energetic passion for dancing. He started acting while attending Far Rockaway High School in plays like “Little Shop of Harris” and “The Wiz”. Pursuing his passion, Mohamed is now a trained Kathak, Orissi, Folk, Filmi, Bhangra and Chutney dancer. He has learned from one of the best in the field of international dance, Guru Dheeraj. Mohamed studied dance with the Ghungroos Dance Academy for five years under Guru Dheeraj. He has performed in many shows, including the first West Indian Music Awards and the Diwali 2008 Show. Mohamed has also performed in shows with Hindi film stars Urmila Matondkar, Aftab Shivdasani and Shilpa Shetty. Mohamed studied Information Technology. He owns a world class health and beauty company.
Mohini Kavita Tajeshwar was born in Queens, New York. She was taught under the discipline of Pt. Satya Narayana Charka of the East West School of Dance and Romanee Kalicharan of The Rajkumari Cultural Center. She began studying dance in 1995 and has performed in many productions, including Kitchrie, Ramayana, Krishna Leela, and most recently Kitchrie 2007 at Forest Park Bandshell. She has also worked with live artist such as Aron Jewan Singh, Jameer Hosein, Major League Tassa and Petrotrin Tassa group. Mohini has also trained with Kathak and Sufi artist Rani Khanam. Currently she is studying at Berkeley College for a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management.
Muhammad F. Sardar is an actor who has been featured in Hindi and Pakistani films, such as Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Mustaqbil and Zeeshan. Muhammad speaks English, Punjabi and Urdu/Hindi fluently. He also has acted in Kitchrie 2007 at Forest Park and several high school productions. He is currently studying at City College of Technology majoring in Radiologic Technology.
Nilesh Nicky Maharaj is an eighteen year old native of Sacramento, California. He attends American River College, majoring in Radiology. He plays, and volunteers teaching, the harmonium, dhol, keyboard, and mandolin at Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv Mandir for the community as well as the youth. He was a co-host radio announcer with his brothers and father in Sangeet Ki Leharein. He is a member of Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust for Fiji Islands. Nilesh Nicky enjoys singing bhajans, Kirtans, lokgeet and chautal. He is also performs various Hindu rituals and poojas. Currently he is a resident pandit at Shiv Mandir.
Pandit Ravendra Maharaj was born in Suva, Fiji Islands. He migrated to Sacramento, California in 1982. With the help of many supporters, Pandit Ravendra built the Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv Mandir in Sacramento. Pandit Maharaj has been a karam kand pandit since the age of 16. He was a radio announcer host of Sangeet Jhankaar and Sangeet Ki Leharein. Pandit Ravendra is the founder of various Mandalis, cultural groups and non-profit organizations. He created the first Bhajan Competition in 1982, in Sacramento, amongst the Indo-Fijian community. Pandit Ravendra also founded the Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust of Fiji Islands, a non-profit organization which provides scholarship to students in need, to pay for school fees, uniforms, and books.
Peter Manuel is a professor of Ethnomusicology at John Jay College and the CUNY Graduate Center. He has researched and published extensively on Indian and Indo-Caribbean music. His books include East Indian Music in the West Indies: Tan-Singing, Chutney, and The Making of Indo-Caribbean Culture. He has also produced a video documentary on Tan-singing of Trinidad and Guyana: Indo-Caribbean ‘Local Classical Music.’
Pritha Singh, Executive/Artistic Director: Pritha belongs to a family whose members have been distinguished leaders in Caribbean political, intellectual and cultural life. She is a multi-disciplinary artist with an extensive work history in arts management, theater and television production and marketing. Particularly interested in neglected heritage art forms, many of them unique variations of originals evolved from the East Indian Diaspora in Guyana, Suriname, Caribbean and New York, Pritha and her brother, the late Gora Singh (1950-1997), Kathak dance exponent, founded the Rajkumari Cultural Center in 1995. Pritha has pioneered and instituted several programs and projects critical to the Indo-Caribbean communities she serves, and the wider New York environment. Pritha’s began artistic journey from age 5 studying Ballet under Helen Taitt; Caribbean Folk Arts under with Doris Harper-Wills, Malcolm Hall; Rajdhar, Natya and Indian Leela with her parents, Hari and Rajkumari Singh; Kathak under Gora Singh and Kamudini Lakhia. She studied Literature and Theater Arts at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Herbert Berghof Playwrights Foundation, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Pace University. Passionate about Tamil-derived Mariemmen Theater of Music and Dance, and Bhojpuri-derived Tan Sangeet, Baithak Ki Gana and the Women’s Repertory, Pritha pursued knowledge with some of the great Indo-Caribbean custodians - Chinappa Virasawmi, Mukain Nagapoolay, Basdeo Mangal, Karna Singh, Gora Singh, Bharat Das, Kaloush Budhu, Ramrajie Prabhoo, Bhagmati Raghbir, Rudy Ramnarine, Dino Budram, Manraji Lachman and Pandit Gajadhar-Sukul. As Director of the Rajkumari Center, she utilizes all her skills, knowledge and experience to create a vibrant cultural and artistic organization that is the vanguard of a cultural renaissance to revive and revitalize Indo-Caribbean art and culture, and, to preserve, present and institutionalize these arts here in the United States.
Ramesh Deochand is a founding member and Public Relations Secretary of the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation. He is renowned as a versatile singer, actor, musician and community volunteer. His acting credits include Prahalad, Coming to America, Harischandra Taramati, Mirabai, Savitri, the Laff ‘Til Yuh Belly Bust series, and the Putu comedy routines. Ramesh played lead roles in Kitchrie 2002, Tulsidas, Backtrack and Till I dance with my people, I’ve never danced before.
Ramnarine “Rudy” Sasenarine is unique in his mastery of both Bhojpuri and Madrasi music traditions that he studied with legendary musicians and cultural custodians. Born in the Port Mourant district of Guyana, Sasenarine studied Bhojpuri dholak drumming, tan, chowtal, and other genres with Deowa (son of Mohana), Balgobin Singh, Ramdhani, Krishna Persaud, and Tejendra “Tej” Singh. He learned Madrasi thappu drumming, tarkum and nargum from Krishna Maistry, Mooken Nagapoollay, the Renganaden and Viraswami families. In 1979, Sasenarine moved to New York where he continues to perform and teach. He is a founding member of the music ensemble, Prem Sangeet. A skilled craftsman, he also makes the dholak drum.
Ramona Devi Singh is an enigmatic multi-disciplinary artist and cultural activist in the Indo-Caribbean community in New York. She studied Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi dance styles extensively under the late “Sudarkodi” Padma Ramanathan, with Raja Rajeshwari at the Padmalaya Dance Academy. In 2002, she began working with the Rajkumari Cultural Center, appearing in their annual Kitchrie festivals and theater productions, and studied Indo-Caribbean music and dance traditions – Tan Sangeet Music/Rajdhar Dance, Baithak Ki Gana Music/Lounda Ki Nauch Dance, and Mariemmen Music and Dance Theater with custodians from Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname. She studied traditional Women Songs with Smt. Bhagmatti Ragubir and Seorie Autar. In 2004 she began studying Kathak with Romanee R. Kalicharran. Ramona’s wider artistic abilities and interests include classical and ghazal singing which she studied under Kinnar and Payal Seen.
Romanee R. Kalicharran is a dancer/choreographer in the Lucknow Gharana style of Kathak. She began her early training under the late Gora Singh, and Pandit Satya Narayana Charka. At the Rajkumari Cultural Center, she studied Indo-Caribbean music, dance- drama and folk arts traditions – Tan Sangeet Music/Rajdhar Dance and Baithak Ki Gana Music/Lounda Ki Nauch Dance, and Mariemmen Music and Dance Theater of the Madrasi People of Guyana. Since 1999 she has been studying traditional women songs with Smt. Bhagmatti Ragubir. In 2002 she worked with Seorie Autar on Women’s Marriage (Vivaaha) songs for a new choreographic work the Bamboo Dance/Matikor Dance, marking her transformation as an artist with enormous vision and a compelling imagination. Romanee has a BA in Language Arts (CUNY) and an MA in Interculturalism in Performing Arts (NYU).
Ravinesh Rocky Maharaj is a twenty year old pandit and artist, born and raised in Sacramento, California. He currently attends American River College majoring in Respiratory Care. He plays, and volunteers teaching, the harmonium, dhol, keyboard, and mandolin at Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv. He was a co-host radio announcer with his brothers and father in Sangeet Ki Leharein. He is a Graphic Designer and secretary for Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust for Fiji Islands. He enjoys singing bhajans, kirtans, lokgeet and chautal. He performs various Hindu rituals and poojas. Currently he is a resident pandit at Shiv Mandir.
Ricky Ravi Maharaj is a twenty-five year old pandit and artist, born and raised in Sacramento, California. He is currently studying to become a radiologist. Ricky Ravi plays the tabla, dholak, and harmonium at Shree Sanatan Dharam Shiv Mandir. He also teaches community members and the youth at the mandir. He co-hosted as a radio announcer with his father in Sangeet Ki Leharein. Ricky Ravi also was in charge of judging for the Chautal Prathiyogita, Kirtan Prathiyogita, and Bhajan Prathiyogita held. He is the vice-president of Sacramento Sanatan Educational Trust for Fiji Islands. He has recoded Fiji bhajans and kirtans. Ricky Ravi enjoys singing bhajans, Kirtans, lokgeet and chautal. He is also a pandit and performs various Hindu rituals and poojas. Currently he is a resident pandit at Shiv Mandir.
Rudy Ramnarine is a master artist and musician of Indo-Caribbean drums - Dholak, Tappu and Dhantal Player. He is a disciple of Ustad Krishna Persaud of the Trinidad style of Tan Sangeet, renowned singer Ustad Balgobin Singh and famous Guyanese drummer Guru Ramdhani. At an early age he studied Tappu drumming, Tarkums and Nargums with Custodians Krishna Maistry, Mooken “Harowboy” Nagapoollay, the Renganadin Family and the Virasawmi Family at the Mariemmen (Madrasi) “Old Church” in Berbice, Guyana. Known to all as “Rudy,” he is one of the founders and coordinators of “Prem Sangeet,” the leading ensemble of the Guyanese style of Tan music in the U.S. The ensemble includes distinguished musical elders and custodians, Kalush Budhu, Bhagu Ragbir, and Chandradutt Maharaj. Rudy is active in Indo-Caribbean music in New York. He plays and performs with several mandirs, churches, organizations, and institutions.
Savetrie Bachan has had a passion for Indian dance since the age of eight. Recently earning a B.S from NYU in Speech Language Pathology, Savetrie will continue her education as she plans to pursue her Master’s Degree Fall 2009. Growing up in Brooklyn, she has always been fond of her Indian roots and, in addition to her love for dance, enjoys singing Bhajans and playing the harmonium. She is a member of the Natya Tilakam Dance Company and hopes to continue to learn more about the Bharatnatyam dance form. She is also a member of the Shri Rama Krishna Mandir in Brooklyn, NY.
Savita Romona Durjan has always had a passion for dancing. Born in Brooklyn, and raised in Queens, she has been around cultural Indian music most of her life. She currently attends Benjamin N. Cardozo High School and plans to major in Accounting, in college. Although she is a hard working student, she also sets time aside for her part time job and hobbies, such as playing basketball and dancing. Savita began dancing at the age of 16 and is currently dancing with the Natya Tilkam Dance Company. She is striving to become a great dancer and eventually a teacher.
Shabana Sharif has been actively working with the Rajkumari Cultural Center’s afterschool program Linking Identity to Living Arts (L.I.L.A) and with the 2009 Kitchrie Festival. Shabana is a Special Education Teacher. She received a Masters Degree from CCNY and Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from St. John's University. Shabana has served as a community volunteer in New York since she was a teenager and internationally, teaching English to elementary students in India for several months. Shabana has been active in the Richmond Hill community since she was seventeen years old, devoting her time and energy to a variety of organizations, including Neighborhood Housing Services, America India Foundation, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) and Sakhi for South Asian Women. Shabana currently serves on the Advisory Council of Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women. Shabana was also involved with Global Organization of People of Indian Origin's (GOPIO) twentieth annual conference this year. As a Richmond Hill resident, she aspires to continue the work of outreach, education and empowerment of the Indo-Caribbean community and the South Asian Diaspora.
Sharda Shakti Singh, writer of the one-act drama “Becoming Her” and the comedy scene “Triomphe Night,” is a prize-winning playwright, producer, director, and actress who studied theatre at CUNY Queens College, where she received her MA in Literature, and has worked with RCC since its inception. Her plays explore the themes of gender as well as cultural and generational conflict. Sharda was nurtured into the arts and social activism by her family members such as the late kathak pioneer Gora Singh, the late literary icon Rajkumari Singh, dramatist Pritha Singh, and vocalists and musicians such as Radha, Siah, and Chitra Singh, and scholar Karna Singh, just to name a few. As a child, she studied kathak dance under Gora Singh, then later she was briefly reintroduced to it by Romanee Kalicharran. Sharda is currently a student of martial arts. As the theatre teacher at Richmond Hill High School, she reshaped the drama curriculum to reflect the modern and culturally diverse voices of its students. Honing their talents and encouraging their expression is her most cherished role. In her one-act drama “Becoming Her,” Sharda pays tribute to all of the women- even her young colleagues working on this very production- who have taken up the torches of nurturing the arts within our community and who, ironically, also battle the intimate questions raised in her work.
Shaun Singh has been a producer for the last fifteen years. He wrote, produced, directed, and is responsible for the first South Asian show on Broadway, “Rang: Shades of my Soul” under his production company Shaun Singh Productions. He has also produced “Night of Fusion” at Lincoln Center with world-renowned artists Dr. L. Subramaniam, Kavita Krisnamurti, George Duke, Stanley Clark and other world artists. Shaun’s work has always aimed to entertain while educating at the same time, bringing about more awareness to Domestic Violence in our society. This remains a mission close to Shaun Singh’s heart.
Shrimati Bhagmati Ragbir, a popular wisdom-keeper and custodian of Indo-Caribbean women songs, is affectionately known as “Auntie Bhagu.” She leads a ladies singing gol (circle) in New York where she performs and teaches. Shrimati Ragbir learned to sing traditional folksongs and play dholak drum with her grandmother and mother as a little girl growing up in Guyana. As a young girl, her mother sent her to study Hindi with Pandit Udit Narine, from whom she also learned a large number of songs. As an adult, she belonged to women singing groups who traveled the country when sponsors called them to perform at religious and social events. Her CDs are “Shadi Sambad” (wedding songs), “Ishwar Sumiran” (sohar), and “Byaha Kahani” (matikor and wedding).
Simone Devi Jhingoor is an Indo-Caribbean writer, activist and educator. She has been organizing in communities of color for the last eight years, using art and culture as instruments for healing and for raising awareness on critical social justice issues. Simone is dedicated to impacting long-term change through her work with youth and women. She has facilitated spoken word and political education workshops citywide with teenagers and most recently an arts & empowerment program with an inter-generational group of women in Richmond Hill. Simone has been performing her poetry at various venues in New York City and as a featured performer at several universities. She is a co-founder of Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women and is on the board of the Indo-Caribbean Youth Center Initiative, an organization addressing the growing need for enriching programs enhancing the leadership and academic potential of Indo-Caribbean youth. She received her BA in Political Science from City University of New York-Hunter College. In 2006, as the Multi-Arts Program Administrator of the Rajkumari Center, Simone co-created the ground breaking youth program, L.I.L.A. – Linking Identity to Living Arts.
Taij Kumarie Moteelall is an award-winning Guyanese-born artist and activist, who has lived most of her life in New York City. Weaving words into a beautiful mosaic of ancestral memory and personal insight, she reclaims the past while creating new stories to shape her identity, foster dialogue and inspire action. To date, Taij has completed an extensive body of poetry, a full-length stage play (Breathe Me In) and is writing her first novel (Conflicting Karma). In 2002, the Mayor and City Council of New York City honored Taij for her contributions to the Indo-Caribbean community with a Proclamation. She is also a 2002 winner of the Union Square Awards for Grassroots Activists, and a 2006 winner of the Guyana Folk Festival Cultural Award. Taij is the Communications Director at Media Sutra, Inc, where she heads up the company's strategic consulting department. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of Resource Generation, a national philanthropic organization. Taij is a co-founder of Blackout Arts Collective, Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women, and founding board member of the Harlem Link Charter School. She received her BA from Hampshire College in History and Cultural Studies. Taij completed her thesis entitled "Shakti in the Caribbean: Voices of the Indo-Caribbean Woman" after traveling to Guyana and Trinidad to compile the oral history of her female ancestry. She completed her MA at New York University, and her Masters thesis, "Legacy of Voice: Cultural Expression and Representation as Resistance," explored the ways in which art and culture can be used as tools of empowerment. Taij can be reached at [email protected].