VEDIC MATHEMATICS AT VOICE

In the Vedic Mathematics class students are introduced to the famous 16 sutras (formulae) from the ancient Sanskrit texts from the Vedas. These powerful sutras can be used to solve mathematical problems and are known to improve one's mathematical skills. The classes are taken by Prof Nawal Prinja and Prof Jitesh Gajjar. India has given a lot more than just 'zero' and 'decimal system' to the world of mathematics and that includes the numbering system that is now used universally in the modern world. Young students learn the "All from nine and last from ten" sutra that helps to work out change when they go shopping. Students have found that using the "bar method" and the "shudha method" of Vedic Maths for subtracting and adding is much faster than the method taught in school. The "vertically and crosswise" method for multiplication is much faster compared to the grid method taught in schools as one can get to the answer in just one line. Advanced students can learn to solve quadratic equations and fit an equation passing through two points in just one line using this sutra.

The Vedic Maths course taught at VOICE follows the syllabus of GCSE and can help improve the grades by increasing the accuracy and speed of calculations, and this is very handy for the papers where no calculators are allowed.

The picture shows one of VOICE students, Krish who did the series of the sums in flat 3 minutes 20 seconds without aid of any calculator. The challenge set for him was to work out the following:-

Workout the change from £100 when you have spent £27.62 and £63.82. Multiply 72138 x 99999, 94 x 102, 68x31 and 72x11.

The sutras that are taught are easy to understand, easy to apply and easy to remember. They do improve the accuracy and speed of mental calculations. Sums requiring multiple and cumbersome steps can be answered in a single and simple step using the Vedic Maths sutras. Children of 10 or 12 years of age

merely look at the sum and shout out the answer. It is almost magical. If you fancy you can come and learn more about Vedic mathematics at VOICE.

Indian Classical Music has inspired many musicians all over the world and has helped express human feelings in a variety of melodies of Indian music. Indian music livens up the life. It is pleasing and soothing not only to the ear but is known to touch the very heart and soul of the listener. VOICE teaches Hindustani vocal and instrumental (tabla, harmonium, sitar and santoor) music. Dr Vijay Rajput, who gained doctrate in Indian music from Delhi university, teaches the vocal and harmonium. He is a well accomplished singer and winner of many prestigious awards but he has a special skill to train his students voice and bring the best out of them. His young students say that they love to sing as it makes them happy. There is some truth in the saying that music has a power to bring the best out of people.

The picture shows Dr Vijay Rajput with some of his young students. He holds singing classes for adults where they have learnt bhajans, qawalis and other popular songs.

String instruments like sitar and santoor are taught by Mr Harjeet Singh who is a specialist music teacher and holds music workshops in schools. Tabla is taught by Mr Manjeet Singh and the picture shows him with some of his students practising the rythms.

VOICE also teaches classical Kathak dance and the Bollywood dance. The Kathak dance form is ancient, skilful and highly imaginative. It has passed through Hindu temples, royal courts and blossomed on international platforms.

There are three major schools of Kathak (called Gharanas) and one of them is the Lucknow Gharana that came into existence mainly in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of Awadh in the early 19th century. This style was developed by the Maharaj family, the great Thakur Prasad Maharaj and his sons. Today Pundit Birju ji Maharaj is considered the chief representative of this gharana. This dance form has been passed down the generations through the guru shishya tradition. VOICE is so proud that their own Kathak teacher, Mrs Kajal Sharma, is a world famous disciple of Kathak legend Padamshri Pundit Birjuji Maharaj. Thus VOICE is helping to maintain this guru shishya tradition. According to Mrs Kajal Sharma, the Kathak dance is the dance offering to the Gods. Her teaching style emphasises on purity of the classical tradition and is not adulterated by modern western styles. Her students arrive early to the class to tie the traditional string of 'ghungrus' (ankle bells) and go through a very rigorous but enjoyable training session. One of her young students said that this classical dance form not only teaches them dance but also inculcates disciplines as all the movements are very precise and timed with the rhythm of the music. The pictures show the traditional 'ghungrus' worn with the traditional Kathak dress and Mrs Kajal Sharma with some of her students.

At the other spectrum of Indian dance is a popular Bollywood dancing. This dance form has merged dance styles from all over India and now has tremendous international appeal. The class at VOICE is taught by young and vibrant Sonam Sharma. She pointed out that this dance form is so full of life and energy. Not only it creates a feeling of joy and happiness, it also has physical and mental benefits. It helps improve physical fitness and is a good way for stress relaxation. The picture shows Miss Sonam Sharma with some of her students trying a bollywood style dance pose.