In early December 2014, a group of ten tiny tots ( ages 6 and 7) were accompanied by two teachers on a three day visit to Thiruvannamalai. We were in time for the mela at the Marudam school and there was eating, watching performances, face painting, rock climbing, weaving, painting and much more! We were super thankful that Arun anna and the Marudam family made our stay so comfortable and we felt at home. me. Our favorite time spent was in a children friendly park that Govinda and his team have carefully created. Opportunities to connect with the world outside of the familiar family and school is a great platform for learning!

Our cultural programme last evening was our very first event at what is to be our new campus, where Shibumi will be for the next few years. A beautiful seven-acre piece of land at Somanahalli on Kanakapura road, where we are building three classrooms and renovating a large, old stone structure. More pictures of the progress of the construction will be up soon.

We just had our first cultural programme -- song, drama and dance! A colourful, happy and, I think I can safely say, successful event. Here are some pictures taken by Dipankar, one of the parents. More photos and perhaps videos will be up soon. We started with singing four of the many wonderful folk songs Nilanjana has been teaching us: Our youngest group, Pallav, then performed 'Anansi and the Magic Stick', based on a Liberian folk story retold by Eric Kimmel: "I'm not lazy, I'm thinking!" The Magic stick A trickle at first, then a stream, then a flood, then a mighty river. Kiri, our junior school group, enacted 'The Lorax' by Dr Seuss. They made their own props with the teachers' help: "Listen here! Here's a wonderful chance to make our money dance!" "You won't see the Once-ler. Don't knock at his door. He stays in his Lerkim on top of his store." "This is JUST what I need!" (A Thneed's a Fine-Somethi...