Library puts spotlight on Indian culture

[Guest guest]

Library puts spotlight on Indian culture

By Caran Johnson | Friday, September 08, 2006 |

You can immerse yourself in Indian culture at the Bettendorf Public

Library in September and October. Choose from 16 programs for all

ages on literature, business, medicine, film, religion, food, dance,

music and customs.

 

As part of the library's plan of service, each year we will focus on

a different culture. Our first focus, India, is made possible by a

generous donation from Friends of India Q-C.

 

A highlight of our activities is a visit by author Kashmira Sheth,

who will present three programs Sept. 21. A "Mosaic of India,"

especially for seniors, is early in the afternoon, followed by an

after-school program for students in grades 4-8 who are invited to

read Sheth's book "Blue Jasmine." The author will discuss the

experiences and cultural differences faced by a young girl who moved

from India to Iowa City. Copies of the book are available for loan

at the Youth Desk.

 

Sheth's final program is an evening family activity, "Experience

Culture and Customs of India." Sheth will read from her picture book

Dadima's Sari and then the audience will try some dance steps and

mudras, special hand gestures used in dance. Children will be able

to try on child-size saris.

 

Teens can register for a special Saturday morning event. They will

have the opportunity to visit different activity stations featuring

henna painting, Indian jewelry, art, dress, music, games and food.

 

Registration is required for only one other program, an Oct. 14

cooking class, Taste of India. Padmaja Pillutla and Sanjana Puri

will demonstrate methods for preparing several dishes and discuss

the spices used. Class participants will receive a copy of recipes

and will be served a light lunch.

 

Bring the whole family to see Sreedevi Nair and students from

Kalanjali dance school perform classical Indian dances in beautiful,

colorful costumes. The audience will have an opportunity to try a

few steps.

 

Many of the library's holdings on India are featured in Display

Central. View children's clothing and artifacts from India displayed

by members of Friends of India. And be sure to enter our Symbols of

India Contest. Paper symbols of India are hidden throughout the

library. If you find a symbol, fill out the form and place in the

contest box in Display Central, for a chance to win dinner for two

at an Indian restaurant or a Bollywood DVD.

 

Are you interested in learning more about literature or religions of

India, outsourcing or Vedic medicine? Or perhaps you want to learn

about Bollywood, the popular Hindi film industry? Or listen to the

unique music of the sitar? You're sure to find a program of interest

at Global Gathering, India. Stop by the library to pick up a

brochure or visit our web site www.bettendorflibrary.com for

details. Do come to the library and celebrate the diversity of

culture in our community.

 

Caran Johnson is volunteer and outreach coordinator for the

Bettendorf Public Library. She can be contacted at 344-4187 or by e-

mail at

 

CJohnson (AT) bettendorf (DOT) lib.ia.us.

 

Looking Ahead

 

Sept. 9: Mystery Book Discussion, 9:30 a.m.

 

Sept. 13: Into to Bollywood, 7 p.m.

 

Sept. 14: Board of Trustees Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

 

Sept. 14: How to Start an Investment Club, 7 p.m. (registration)

 

Sept. 15: Brown Bag Lunch: Music of India, 12:15 p.m.

 

Sept. 16: Red Cross Baby Sitting Class, 9:30 a.m. (registration 743-

2166)

 

Sept. 20: Contemporary Books Discussion, Bhagavad Gita, 1 p.m.

 

Sept. 20: Dance of India, 6:30 p.m.

 

Sept. 21: Senior Day: Mosaic of India with Kashmira Sheth, 1:30 p.m.

 

Sept. 21: Visit with author Kashmira Sheth, 4:15 p.m.

 

Sept. 21: Culture & Customs of India with Kashmira Sheth, 7 p.m.

 

Sept. 23: Teen Global Gathering: India, 10 a.m. (registration)

 

Sept. 23: Poetry Discussion: "Leaving Yuba City," 2 p.m.

 

Sept. 27: Contemporary Books Discussion Night, 7 p.m.

 

Sept. 27: Perspectives on Outsourcing, 7 p.m.

 

Sept. 28: Books Are Great, 10 a.m.

 

Oct. 3: Book Discussion: "The Little Prince" 7 p.m.

 

Oct. 3: Friends of the BPL Meeting 7:15 p.m.

 

Oct. 4: Seminar on Wills 10a.m. (registration)

 

Oct. 4: Vedic Sciences and Medicine lecture, 7 p.m.

 

Oct. 6: Friends of the BPL Preview Book Sale 5 p.m.

 

Oct. 7: Friends of the BPL Fall Book Sale 9 a.m.

 

Oct. 8: Friends of the BPL Fall Book Sale noon

 

Other ongoing programs include "About Books" on WVIK 90.3 FM, Role

Playing Group, Tummy Time, and Preschool Storytimes.

 

For more information, call 344-4175, email

info (AT) bettendorflibrary (DOT) com, or click on "Library News & Happenings"

at www.bettendorflibrary.com.

 

 

I will not attend.

wrote on September 07, 2006 1:19 PM:

"I have a problem with this Indian touting. Let's not pander to the

Muslims in this country. It's beneath us to do so. "

 

Long live Midwest ignorance!

wrote on September 07, 2006 1:50 PM:

"Let's discuss facts shall we (although people of limited mindset

will probably still not understand): First, India is 85% Hindu. So

the vast majority of Indian culture will be based on Hindu

traditions and customs. Second: None of the participants for these

events listed in the article are Muslim. Which could actually lead

to a discussion on why hundreds of years of Indian history under

Muslim rule is not part of these events. I could go on and on, but

all I will say is how glad am I to have escaped the narrow-minded

thinking of Quad Citians such as yourself."

http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2006/09/08/news/bettendorf/doc44ff9c3

1e1558236583688.txt

 

http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2006/09/08/news/bettendorf/doc44ff9c3

1e1558236583688.txt#qccomments

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