Excellent Professional Tagore Performance

AlphaMax Academy students put on an excellent, professional performance last night in the Tagore celebration of Gitanjali.

Eight dancers trained by Mrs.Kawita Thani thrilled the audience with their skill and stage finesse. Surinamers were proud that students from all the major Suriname communities could master the cultural dance from another country.

Reann Kersenhout -GAC 2014 class as well as AlphaMax 2014 graduating class joined Randy Esajas also a 2014 graduate and Daniel Kolf to give intensely focused powerful dramatic presentations of Tagore ' s poetry that left many marveling at the acting skills of Suriname ' s young people in English.

Parents were impressed that the school's director, dance/drama tutor and five other members of staff were fully involved with the production and either performed or worked alongside the student team.

The three ambassadors and other distinguished guests asked the school to convey their congratulations on a thoroughly professional performance.
Members of the audience also praised the smooth, flawless collaboration between AlphaMax, the Indian Cultural Center and Carinlangs.

Tagore bust at AlphaMax Academy

Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7th, 1861, and died on August 7th, 1941.

Tagore bust at AlphaMax Academy in Suriname.

The Tagore bust at the AlphaMax Academy is one of a dozen effigies unveiled worldwide to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations worldwide. Tagore is the author of one of the anthems students and teachers of the AlphaMax community use daily in school assemblies.

Suriname's First Lady speaking at the unveiling of Tagore bust. 

The Tagore Bust-unveiling ceremony  was done on June 4th, 2011. Suriname’s First Lady Ingrid Waldring-Bouterse unveiled the bust with Ambassador K.J.S. Sodhi. 

One of the highlights of the Tagore bust-unveiling ceremony was the ICC-sponsored Bihu Dance Troupe which had travelled from Assim, India, to perform. This was their premiere performance in Paramaribo.

Art Exhibition and cultural evening to honor Tagore at Fort Zeelandia

 In May 2011 there was an art exhibition and cultural evening which included dance and poetry at Fort Zeelandia. This event  was  co-sponsored by Art-Vibes, ICC and the AlphaMax Academy.

AlphaMax Academy  began the celebration of o a year of activities revolving around India’s poet laureate Tagore in Suriname with the Fort Zeelandia presentation.

AlphaMax Group performing "Earth Song" by Tagore.

Other activities in close collaboration with the Embassy of India and the Indian Cultural Center of Suriname  during that year included:

The Tagore Bust-unveiling ceremony on June 4th, 2011, where Suriname’s First Lady Ingrid Waldring-Bouterse unveiled the bust with Ambassador K.J.S. Sodhi.

Suriname's First Lady with Ambassador Sodhi and bust of Tagore

 One of the highlights of the Tagore bust-unveiling ceremony was the ICC-sponsored Bihu Dance Troupe which had travelled from Assim, India, to perform.  This was their premiere performance in Paramaribo.

Activities also included creative writing and art competitions for students and also adults in Suriname.  The panel of judges included members of the University of Suriname, Schrijvers Groep ‘77, and prominent artists.  The Awards ceremony was held at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname last October.

Finally, there were also lectures and video presentations on the life and work of Tagore at various venues.

A selection of photos from the Fort Zeelandia event is at this link.