6.12.16

VAANI Art Exhibition 18th March to 8th April 2017














We are organising an ART Exhibition for Asian women artists. We would like to invite artists to send in their proposals to Smita on her email smita@vaani.org.

There will be a large exhibition on the 18th March where we will exhibit selected art works, sculptures, art installations by local artists both amateur and professional. We will also display our young and adult winners of the past VAANI Art Competitions.

Only a select few will then go on to be exhibited for the next 3 weeks in the prestigious Ilford Central Library.


5.9.16

Saris and a Single Malt - Book Review




Sweta Vikram's latest chapbook Saris and a Single Malt echoes the grief that's universal but at the same time unique to each one of us.

It is a heart wrenching read. The poems are filled with anguish but at the same time beautiful.

Some lines from the book...

"I remember the knots in your saris--
your very own mnemonic device.
Beta, these remind me that I need to remember something,
you would say
and then forget what it was you needed to remember."

"I worry how I will preserve
the scent of your memories"

"I can't wear white, my bleeding heart will ruin it"

Pain is perceived as dark but somehow Sweta manages to share with us the various colours of an emotional trauma. In the beginning the poems are more subtle but teeth clenching. We await to hear the news with the poetess.

The middle section poems are fiery, angry, confusing and passionate whereas the last section draws to a conclusion where we see the change is evident due to loss.

Words cannot explain such feelings to the fullest but they can paint a picture. Sweta once again creates a very visual painting in this new book.








31.8.16

Tea with VAANI 7th Oct 2016

We are pleased to announce that we are organising a Tea with VAANI. The event is part of Redbridge Celebrating Black History Month. The event consists of Poetry reading, discussion and Q&A.

Our chief guest is well known Poetess Shanta Acharya. An internationally recognized poet, Shanta has published five collections of poetry. Her poems have been widely anthologized appearing in major publications in the USA, UK and India. To know more about her please visit her website here.

We would like to invite people both young and old to come and read their original poetry on the evening. 

Please contact Smita on info@vaani.org to book your place or if you are interested to read. Timely arrival is necessary to enjoy the evening to full.

Details of the event: 

Date: 7th October 2016
Time: 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Venue: Gloucester Room, Ilford Central Library
Light refreshments provided.


12.7.16

VAANI Award winners List

CONGRATULATIONS to those who won an Award and also to those who PARTICIPATED. THANK YOU. And we hope that you join us again next year.


Sl. No. Name Competition Prize
1 Shreya Nivarty Creative Writing (Under 10) 1st Prize
2 Siddharth Thakur Creative Writing (Under 10) 2nd Prize
3 Sambodhi Jindal Creative Writing (Under 10) 3rd Prize
4 Mia Bhute Creative Writing (Under 10) Judge's Choice
5 Sharoni Thakur Creative Writing (Under 17) 1st Prize
6 Jivya Rajesh Creative Writing (Under 17) 2nd Prize
7 Vinisha Agrawal Creative Writing (Under 17) 3rd Prize
8 Adhya Rajaram Creative Writing (Under 17) Judge's Choice
9 Rekha Dutta Creative Writing (ADULT) 1st Prize
10 Brian Harris Creative Writing (ADULT) 2nd Prize
11 Prajakta Agashe Creative Writing (ADULT) 3rd Prize
12 Richa Jain Jindal Creative Writing (ADULT) Judge's Choice
13 Rajesh Kumar Painting (ADULT) 1st Prize
14 Archana Malhotra Painting (ADULT) 2nd Prize
15 Nikki Pardasani Painting (ADULT) 3rd Prize
16 Sai Keerthan Painting (Under 10) 1st Prize
17 V. Charuvi Painting (Under 10) 2nd Prize
18 Shaunak Singh Painting (Under 10) 3rd Prize
19 Deetya Pardasani Painting (Under 10) Judge's Choice
20 Pulkit Malhotra Painting (Under 17) 1st Prize
21 Shashvat Verma Painting (Under 17) 2nd Prize
22 Vishal Satish Painting (Under 17) 3rd Prize
23 Jivya Rajesh Painting (Under 17) Judge's Choice
24 Adisha Jain Photography (ADULT) 1st Prize
25 Colin Page Photography (ADULT) 2nd Prize
26 Sangeeta Gandhi Photography (ADULT) 3rd Prize
26 Shrishti Jha Photography (Under 17) 1st Prize
27 Arushi Agrawal Photography (Under 17) 2nd Prize
28 Janya Singh Photography (Under 17) 3rd Prize
29 Mrs. Swati Agashe Chess (ADULT) Player of the tournament
30 Puneet Garg Chess (ADULT) Challenger
31 Venkat Subramanyam Chess (ADULT) Runner Up
32 Kirithic Chess (Under 10) Challenger
33 Rayhrn Narula Chess (Under 10) Runner Up
34 Jishnu Rajaram Chess (10-13) Challenger
35 Aekus Narula Chess (10-13) Runner Up
36 Suchir Kohli Chess (13-16) Winner
37 Chandrasekhar Ramanan Short story and Poetry (ADULT) 1st Prize
38 Richa Jain  Short story and Poetry (ADULT) 2nd Prize
39 Manju Chaudhury Short story and Poetry (ADULT) 3rd Prize
40 Sangram Bhosale Short story and Poetry (ADULT) Judge's Choice
41 Arushi Agrawal Short story and Poetry under 17 1st Prize
42 Adhya Rajaram Short story and Poetry under 17 1st Prize
43 Shakshi Jha Short story and Poetry under 17 2nd Prize
44 Janya Singh Short story and Poetry under 17 3rd Prize
45 Pankil Sharma Short story and Poetry under 10 2nd Prize
46 Hasini Vengapalli Short story and Poetry under 10 3rd Prize

VAANI Award winners List

CONGRATULATIONS to those who won an Award and also to those who PARTICIPATED. THANK YOU. And we hope that you join us again next year.


1 Shreya Nivarty Creative Writing (Under 10) 1st Prize
2 Siddharth Thakur Creative Writing (Under 10) 2nd Prize
3 Sambodhi Jindal Creative Writing (Under 10) 3rd Prize
4 Mia Bhute Creative Writing (Under 10) Judge's Choice
5 Sharoni Thakur Creative Writing (Under 17) 1st Prize
6 Jivya Rajesh Creative Writing (Under 17) 2nd Prize
7 Vinisha Agrawal Creative Writing (Under 17) 3rd Prize
8 Adhya Rajaram Creative Writing (Under 17) Judge's Choice
9 Rekha Dutta Creative Writing (ADULT) 1st Prize
10 Brian Harris Creative Writing (ADULT) 2nd Prize
11 Prajakta Agashe Creative Writing (ADULT) 3rd Prize
12 Richa Jain Jindal Creative Writing (ADULT) Judge's Choice
13 Rajesh Kumar Painting (ADULT) 1st Prize
14 Archana Malhotra Painting (ADULT) 2nd Prize
15 Nikki Pardasani Painting (ADULT) 3rd Prize
16 Sai Keerthan Painting (Under 10) 1st Prize
17 V. Charuvi Painting (Under 10) 2nd Prize
18 Shaunak Singh Painting (Under 10) 3rd Prize
19 Deetya Pardasani Painting (Under 10) Judge's Choice
20 Pulkit Malhotra Painting (Under 17) 1st Prize
21 Shashvat Verma Painting (Under 17) 2nd Prize
22 Vishal Satish Painting (Under 17) 3rd Prize
23 Jivya Rajesh Painting (Under 17) Judge's Choice
24 Adisha Jain Photography (ADULT) 1st Prize
25 Colin Page Photography (ADULT) 2nd Prize
26 Shrishti Jha Photography (Under 17) 1st Prize
27 Arushi Agrawal Photography (Under 17) 2nd Prize
28 Janya Singh Photography (Under 17) 3rd Prize
29 Mrs. Swati Agashe Chess (ADULT) Player of the tournament
30 Puneet Garg Chess (ADULT) Challenger
31 Venkat Subramanyam Chess (ADULT) Runner Up
32 Kirithic Chess (Under 10) Challenger
33 Rayhrn Narula Chess (Under 10) Runner Up
34 Jishnu Rajaram Chess (10-13) Challenger
35 Aekus Narula Chess (10-13) Runner Up
36 Suchir Kohli Chess (13-16) Winner
37 Chandrasekhar Ramanan Short story and Poetry (ADULT) 1st Prize
38 Richa Jain  Short story and Poetry (ADULT) 2nd Prize
39 Manju Chaudhury Short story and Poetry(ADULT) 3rd Prize
40 Arushi Agrawal Short story and Poetry under 17 1st Prize
41 Adhya Rajaram Short story and Poetry under 17 1st Prize
42 Shakshi Jha Short story and Poetry under 17 2nd Prize
43 Janya Singh Short story and Poetry under 17 3rd Prize
44 Pankil Sharma Short story and Poetry under 10 2nd Prize
45 Hasini Vengapalli Short story and Poetry under 10 3rd Prize
46 Sangram Bhosale Short story and Poetry (ADULT) Judge's Choice

6.7.16

Last Chance to BUY your Ticket for VAANI Culture Night

I hope you are well and your week is going as planned. I'm back to remind you that there are just two days to go for VAANI Culture Night. If you haven't bought your ticket yet please buy yours nowDue to limited seats available to us and most of the tickets already sold, the chances of tickets available on the door are fairly slim. 
Radhika Iyer of NDTV

Poonam Joshi of ABP News (STAR TV)
















This is the time to reveal the names of the VIP guests we are expecting this year. We have Radhika Iyer of NDTV, Poonam Joshi of ABP News (STAR TV), Redbridge Deputy Mayor Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain along with the Deputy Mayoress Ms Shehla Hussain (daughter). 

We have a heart throbbing Dance Competition lined up for you. The guest Judge for Dance competition is Honey Kalaria of Honey Kalaria Dance Academy.
Honey Kalaria
Redbridge Deputy Mayor Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain
One of amazingly talented 15 year old
                 Ankita Goswami
Ankita Goswami is singing for us on the night. 
She has won Hainault got talent, OpenMic UK, performs regularly in Redbridge Music Lounge, her performances has been covered by Zee TV, Channel S and Bangla TV. Currently she is competing in the Summer of Sound Competition. Please help her win the competition by liking her video on youtube https://youtube.be/k6b6-Vu_Gfc 

Please make sure you arrive slightly before time to collect your ticket receipts as we would like to start the program at 7.00pm.

*****Mouthwatering FOOD Stall and a select few stalls of Accessories, clothing etc will be there with highly subsidised prices specially for VAANI Audience.******

We have over £500 worth of Gifts to give away in Raffle.

I'm sure you do not want to miss this fantastic fun filled exciting evening so please get in touch NOW!
If you have made a payment into VAANI's bank account but haven't received a confirmation please contact me ASAP.

Visit us at www.vaani.org and like our page on Facebookwww.facebook.com/vaani.org .

Ticket details:

Date: 9th July 2016
Time: 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Venue: Ursuline Academy Hall, Morland Road, Ilford, IG1 4JU.

PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE . On the door ticket price £7.00 per person for ages 5+.

Advance ticket price: £5 per adult, £10 per Family includes 2 adults and 2 children up to 15 years. Children under 5 years are FREE.
Account Details for Ticket Payments:
Account Name: VAANI
Bank:                 HSBC
Account No.:      42243024
Sort Code:         40-25-27
Reference:         VCULT followed by number of tickets paid for.

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or any of the committee members if you have any queries.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the 9th 
Many thanks
VAANI
twitter @Vaani_Official

3.7.16

VAANI Culture Night Invitation 2016

You are Invited!

You wouldn't want to miss the night full of fun and entertainment!

This year, we are celebrating the 7th year of VAANI Culture Night. We have an amazing line up of some extraordinary group dance performances, songs and an award ceremony for the winners and participants of the VAANI Competitions. Visit us at www.vaani.org

Buy your tickets RIGHT NOW to avoid disappointment. We have LIMITED seats and tickets are going fast.

Food stalls are open throughout the evening.

Details:
Date: 9th July 2016
Time: 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Venue: Ursuline Academy Hall, Morland Road, Ilford, IG1 4JU.

PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE
Only a few will be available at the door. On the door ticket price £7.00 per person for ages 5+.


Advance ticket price£5 per adult, £10 per Family includes 2 adults and 2 children up to 15 years. Children under 5 years are FREE.
Account Details for Ticket Payments:
Account Name: VAANI
Bank:                 HSBC
Account No.:      42243024
Sort Code:         40-25-27
Reference:         VCULT followed by number of tickets paid for.

24.6.16

Family FUN Day Out with a Difference 25th June 16

Dear All
The wait is over. VAANI Competitions 2016 is here again! On Saturday 25th June 2016 have a Family FUN Day Out with a difference. With yummy FOOD STALLon hand selling all food items in only £1, please do not forget to bring loads of change with you. 

Also, remember this is the best chance for you to buy your tickets for the 9th July 2016 Culture Night/Award function. Tickets are going fast so grab yours ASAP. 
REMEMBER ticket price on the door is £7 per person while Advance ticket is £5 and advance family ticket is £10 includes 2 adults and 2 children under 15 years of age.

Please check the timings of the competitions and the RULES. If you haven't registered yourself yet please do so today or just drop in on Saturday. 

LATE arrivals may result in disappointment so please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start times.

1.VAANI Chess Board Game Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 10:30am - 13:30pm
Entry: £2
Venue: York Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Rules: We will provide chess board sets.
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult
To register interest email: Robin Thakur at robin@vaani.org

2.VAANI On The Spot Creative Writing Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 14:00pm - 15:00pm
Entry: £2
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Rules: Bring your own pen and paper. paper should be blank.
Topic/clue given on the spot but will be related to the 
theme of "WELCOME"
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years, Adult

To register interest contact Vinod Agrawal on 07958288220 or email: vinod@vaani.org

3.VAANI Painting Competition 2016
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 16.00pm - 18:00pm 
Entry: £2
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Theme: "WELCOME"
Rules: Bring your own colours, pencil, art materials, canvas etc. Canvas or paper should be blankOnly paper provided.
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult
To register interest contact Archana Jha on 07738983808 or email: archana@vaani.org

Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the VAANI Support Committee members if you have a query.
I look forward to seeing you all on 25th.
Best wishes for the Competitions

19.6.16

VAANI Photography, Short story and Poem Competitions 2016 submissions

LAST DATE TO SUBMIT your entries for Photography Competition, Short stories and Poem Competition is 26th JUNE 2016.

Please see the details below:

VAANI Photography Competition 2016

Last Date to submit entry: 26/06/2016 midnight

Rules: Only digital copy accepted. Maximum two entries per person. Each entry should have a max 50 words description. Use of photoshop, creative artistry allowed to match the theme. But the photographs must be original i.e. taken by the entrants.
Theme: "To be or not to be"
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years, Adult
To submit email: submissions@vaani.org

VAANI Short Story and Poetry Competition 2016 

Submission last Date: 26/06/2016 midnight

Theme: "To be or not to be"
Rules: Maximum 5000 words stories
Maximum 150 words poems
Not more than 2 entries per person
Three age groups:
Age: Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adults 
Email entry to : submissions@vaani.org

FUN Family Day Out 25th June 2016

Dear All

I hope you are doing well. I understand you must be feeling relieved as GCSE's and most of the school exams are over by now.  Parents as well as children are now wondering what to do. VAANI Competitions come in handy and give you all a FUN Family Day Out with a difference. Just FIVE days to go... Please mark 25th June in your calender. We have a professional FOOD STALL with nominal prices on the venue to keep the energy levels going. 
If you haven't registered yet, please do so at the earliest.

Please double check the timings of the competitions so that you do not miss out on anything. Also, remember to bring in lots of change.

1.VAANI Chess Board Game Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 10:30am - 13:30pm
Entry: £2
Venue: York Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Rules: We will provide some chess board sets.
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult
To register interest email: Robin Thakur at robin@vaani.org

2.VAANI On The Spot Creative Writing Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 14:00pm - 15:00pm
Entry: £2
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Rules: Bring your own pen and paper. paper should be blank.
Topic/clue given on the spot but will be related to the 
theme of "WELCOME"
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years, Adult

To register interest contact Vinod Agrawal on 07958288220 or email: vinod@vaani.org

3.VAANI Painting Competition 2016
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 16.00pm - 18:00pm 
Entry: £2
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Theme: "WELCOME"
Rules: Bring your own colours, pencil, art materials, canvas etc. Canvas or paper should be blankOnly paper provided.
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult
To register interest contact Archana Jha on 07738983808 or email: archana@vaani.org

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.
We look forward to seeing you all on the 25th June 2016.
Many thanks
VAANI
Website: www.vaani.org
Twitter: @Vaani_Official
Mobile: 07985249494

12.6.16

Volunteer Opportunities

Hello Everyone

Hope you are enjoying a peaceful Sunday!

As you know VAANI is organising various competitions like Painting, on-the-spot Creative Writing, Chess, Photography and online Short Stories and Poem submissions starting 25th June 2016. [Visit http://www.vaani.org/2016/06/vaani-competitions-25th-june-2016.html for more details.] 

Competitions are followed by Award function and Dance competition on 9th July.

We have an amazing line up of guests attending and distributing awards this year. Some of medias' well known names as well as professional artists will be there. The competitions and award functions are very well attended.

To run successful events we need expert volunteers. In our time of need we have always reached out to the community and found great help and support. We have the following requirements for the events on 25th June and 9th July:

Requirements for 25th June 2016:
  1. 4 event co-ordinators
Requirements for 9th July 2016:
  1. Four Hosts/hostess 
  2. 6 volunteers for backstage co-ordination
  3. 1 volunteer for videography
  4. 4 volunteers for event co-ordination
  5. 2 volunteers for Box office co-ordination
We encourage young adults to volunteer and get involved so that they get first hand experience of being part of the community and learn a new skill that can be included in their CV.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or you would like to discuss anything.
We appreciate your help and support here at VAANI.
Many thanks
VAANI
twitter @Vaani_Official 

3.6.16

VAANI Competitions - 25th June 2016

Coming up is a weekend full of rain and cloudy terrible weather. Why not use this dull time to think of something brighter and register for VAANI Competitions on Saturday 25th June 2016?!
Based on popular demand we have arranged for "Food Stall" for those of you who are participating in all three competitions or wish to stay and watch the competitions.
All three competitions are open for people of ALL ages. So bring out your hidden talent, or set an example for your child or be the envy of your neighbours and participate in VAANI Competitions.

We have limited space and the places are going fast. So hurry up and send your name in TODAY! Its as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1.VAANI Chess Board Game Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Entry: £2
Venue: York Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Rules: Bring your own Chess board and pieces. *We will provide some chess board sets.
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult
To register interest email: Robin Thakur at robin@vaani.org

2.VAANI On The Spot Creative Writing Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 13:00pm - 14:030pm
Entry: £2
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Rules: Bring your own pen and paper. paper should be blank.
Topic/clue given on the spot but will be related to the 
theme of "WELCOME"
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years, Adult

To register interest contact Vinod Agrawal on 07958288220 or email: vinod@vaani.org

3.VAANI Painting Competition 2016
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 14:00pm - 16:00pm 
Entry: £2
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Theme: "WELCOME"
Rules: Bring your own colours, pencil, art materials, canvas etc. Canvas or paper should be blank. Only paper provided.
Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult
To register interest contact Archana Jha on 07738983808 or email: archana@vaani.org
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Looking forward to hearing from you all soon.
VAANI

19.3.16

VAANI Competitions 2016

V AANI Competitions 2016

Book these dates in your diary 25th June 2016 and 9th July 2016











VAANI Painting Competition 2016
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 14:00pm - 16:00pmEntry: £2
Theme: "Welcome" Celebrating Refugee Week
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Judges: TBC 
Rules: Bring your own colours, pencil, art materials, canvas etc. Canvas or paper should be blank.Only paper provided.
Three age groups:
Under 10 yearsUnder 17 yearsAdult

To register interest contact Archana Jha on 07738983808 or email: archana@vaani.org















VAANI Chess Board Game Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Entry: £2
Venue: York Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Judges: TBC 
Rules: Bring your own Chess board and pieces.
Three age groups:
Under 10 yearsUnder 17 yearsAdult

To register interest email: Robin Thakur at robin@vaani.org


















VAANI Photography Competition 2016
Date: 26/06/2016

Judges: TBC Rules: Only digital copy accepted. Maximum two entries per person. Each entry should have a max 50 words description.
Theme: "To be or not to be"Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years, Adult

To submit email: submissions@vaani.org

















VAANI Creative Writing Competition 2016 NEW
Date: 25/06/2016
Time: 13:00pm - 14:030pm
Entry: £2
Theme: "Welcome" Celebrating Refugee Week
Venue: Gloucester Room1st floor Ilford Central Library
Judges: TBC Rules: Bring your own pen and paper. paper should be blank.Topic/clue given on the spot.Three age groups:
Under 10 years, Under 17 years, Adult

To register interest contact Vinod Agrawal on 07958288220 or email: vinod@vaani.org













VAANI Dance Competition 2016
Date: 09/07/2016
Time: 19:00pm - 22:00pm
Entry: £10 for family of four includes 2 adults and 2 children.
£5 single Adult entry
Venue: TBC
Judges: TBC 

Rules: Only group dance entry to competition
Dance acts should be unique
To register interest contact Deepika Verma on 07879663251 or email: deepika@vaani.org











VAANI Short Story and Poetry Competition 2016 
Submission last Date: 15/06/2016
Theme: "To be or not to be"
Rules: Maximum 5000 words stories
Maximum 150 words poems
Not more than 2 entries per person
Age: Under 10 years
Under 17 years and
Adults 
Email entry to : submissions@vaani.org


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