Yachiyo Jishi Performace June 2019

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On June 2, 2019, I had the honor of performing Yachiyo Jishi (八千代獅子) with Sachiko Kanbara Sensei (神原左知子先生), my music teacher, and Masayuki Hikiguchi San (引口雅之さん). Yachiyo Jishi, composed by Fujinaga Kengyo (藤永検校) is a Jiuta (地歌), or traditional Kyoto folk song from the Edo period that is commonly performed with an ensemble of string instruments. Kanbara Sensei played the Koto (箏), Hikiguchi San played the Shamisen (三味線), and I played the Kokyu (胡弓). This performance was the culmination of 9 months of Kokyu lessons, hands-down one of the most fulfilling parts of my time in Japan.

第6回花洛会地歌箏曲勉強会で演奏した 藤永検校作曲「八千代獅子」箏.三味線.胡弓の合奏です。神原左知子先生に指導していただきました。

演奏(左から)

  • 神原左知子(箏)
  • 引口雅之(三味線)
  • ナナワティ・アマル(胡弓)

日本の伝統楽器を学びたい方は、こちらから神原左知子先生に連絡してください。 箏花洛 Koto Karaku ホームページ https://r.goope.jp/sachikokan/contact

The Magic of ICTD

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IMG_2577

Before this summer, I was completely certain that after graduation I would work at a Silicon Valley startup, enjoying the benefits of free meals and a gym at work.  After participating in the iSTEP internship, I feel that many of these startups and tech companies make luxury products for a very thin slice of society, and that there are ways that technology, and the skills I will learn in the coming years, can be used for more meaningful and impactful change.  How did this change come about?  It was really the ICTD work I saw, experienced, and helped complete at the Mathru Educational Trust for the Blind.

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First Crocheted Sweater!

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Sweater-1

Above is my first crocheted sweater, made with 100% wool and cables.  The pattern created a sweater slightly too large for me, so I adjusted the dimensions a bit.  In the end it fitted perfectly, and keeps me toasty warm.  Just in time for the freezing Pittsburgh winters! Continue reading

Raag Patdeep October 2011

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This is my performance of Raag Patdeep at a house concert.  I play in Chachchar Taal and Teen Taal, accompanied on table by Mr. Pradosh Sarkar.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday!

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Birthday-Cookie-1

 

Celebrating the birth of my site with a chocolate chip cookie baked in the shape of my AN logo.

Just kidding. 🙂 It was actually my younger brother’s birthday today, so I baked him a batch of his favorite cookies.  His initials also happen to be AN (and my logo was designed by him,) so it worked out perfectly. Continue reading

Of Ticks and Clocks

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Winnie-the-Pooh-Clock

Of my woodworking handicrafts, these two clocks are definitely the closest to my heart.  The Winnie-the-Pooh clock not only has my favorite childhood character, it also uses my favorite wood, mahogany.  Further, it was my first time using a wood-burner, and I am quite proud of Winnie-the-Pooh’s features and his shirt’s texture.  I decided to use a wood-burner above paint because I prefer wood’s natural, grainy texture. Continue reading

Disk Method Model

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Below is a description of an interactive model of the Disk Method (used to find the volume of solids of revolution) I made as a gift for my Calculus teacher.  Each individual disk was inspired by Japanese fans, and attaches to the body with Velcro.  This model not only allows students to visualize the sweeping motion of the integral, but also helps them understand how certain variable affect the volume.  I know it is not technology in the strictest sense, but to me it is new and innovative, a rudimentary form of engineering, and a fabulous blend of culture, craft, and math.

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Garden Bench

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Bench 2

A garden bench I made as an optional project in Wood II in eight grade.  I made the bench out of redwood and applied a water-based outdoor veneer.  It has given us fabulous service: taking up to three adults at once, surviving rain and sun, and beautifying our garden.  To this day, it has survived four seasons and is coming up on its fifth (touchwood :D.)

Bench 1

Project instructions can be found here.

Car Collection

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Car CollectionGiven my love of travel, in my freshman year of high school I decided to start a collection of model vehicles from foreign countries — methods of transportation that are characteristic to that country.  Why vehicles?  Well, model vehicles are commonly sold and tend to be characteristic of specific cultures.  Plus, the fact that they are cheap does not hurt. 🙂  Some of these vehicles I bought myself, while others were gifted to me.

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Satyadevi Performance April 2011

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My performance for the 19th Annual SatyaDevi Memorial Trust Music Contest.  I played Raag Bhopali in Rupak Taal and Drut Teentaal, accompanied on tabla by Mr. Pradosh Sarkar.  I won 1st place in the Senior Instrumental category, as well as “Outstanding Performer of the Evening.”

Amal-Satyadevi-Trophy

The Tree of Life Afghan

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Tree of Life Afghan

The Tree of Life afghan was by far my most ambitious and difficult crocheting project, not to mention my first that employed cables.  It consists of two tree panels and one flower panel.  The tree branches geometrically divide every row, going from 2 to 4 to 6, 8, 10, 12 and back down, while the flowers are arranged in a checkered pattern.

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Raag Bhopali Concert June 2010

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My performance at a concert for students of Professor Sisirkana Dhar Choudhury, held at the Milpitas Main Library.  I played Raag Bhopali in Rupak taal and Teen taal, accompanied on table by Mr. Keyur Dhanekar.  This performance is a longer version of my Satyadevi performance.