Performers / Speakers

Interested in showing off your dance moves? Excited to share your intimate knowledge of Marathi culture? Sign up to be a Performer or a Panelist.

Contact the Maiytra Team at maiytra.2008sf@gmail.com.

 

Culture Show

Throughout history, the arts have played a pivotal role in Maharashtrian culture. Dancing, singing, performing...it's the Marathi way! These rich and diverse forms of cultural expression continue to thrive in our lives today. The culture show showcases the talents of Marathi Youth, and demonstrates the various ways Maharashtrian culture lives on through all of us.

Amit Apte
It's hard to classify Amit's music. Is he Pop? Is he Rock? Is he R&B? Well, the answer is "all of the above". Mix in a pinch of Desi flavor and there you have it. Amit's catchy melodies and universal lyrics contribute to the hit quality of his songs.

For more information, check out his MySpace Page at: http://www.myspace.com/amitmusic

Anita Oak
Although working as an attorney, Anita's passion has always been entertaining. Her background ranges from beauty pageants, to performances in and organization of cultural programs. She's danced most of her life, choreographed for various student organizations, and co-wrote/directed a play. Her musical background includes classical singing and training on the harmonium, but her true passion has always been singing R&B and song writing. She is presently recording an album along with a Grammy award winning producer.  Anita plans to give MAIYTRA a sneak peak of her debut album! 

Bombay Boys & Bombay Babes - Anjani Tilak and Dance Crew
If you've ever stayed for chaat at Chowpatti, been in traffic in Bandra, or caught in the monsoon in Mahim, you know the chaos that is India's biggest circus; Mumbai. Born of this madness are the Bombay Boys and Bombay Babes. So do yourself a favor- sit back, take a breath, and prepare... because soon enough, Anjani Tilak and her crew will be bringing the 'dhamaal' of Maharashtra to the stage of Maiytra.

Yashaswini Patwardhan
Yashaswini is a classically trained vocalist who will be performing acappella. In addition to displaying her vocal talents, Yashaswini will also be reading 3 poems of her own original work.

Flathak - Vishal Nayak, Labonee Mohanta, Salil Apte
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Indian Classical Music and Dance met Spanish Flamenco? Ponder no more as Salil Apte sets the tone with his Spanish guitar stylings, accompanied by Vishal Nayak on tabla. Labonee Mohanta completes the fusion as she translates the corresponding rhythms into the motions of Kathak.

Aaja Nachle - Parijat Deshpande, Radhika Nayak, Priya Mitty, Kavitha Vemuri, Rasika Apte
Parijat Deshpande has choreographed an upbeat, high-energy dance to Aaja Nachle from Madhuri Dixit's latest film Aaja Nachle. Performing the dance along with Parijat will be Radhika Nayak, Priya Mitty, Rasika Apte, and Kavitha Vemuri.

Amaresh Wagle
Imagine Dev Anand, Shatrughan Sinha, and Ashok & Raj Kumar, among many others, involved in a game of Kabaddi with Eunuchs - up close and on stage at this year Maiytra! This is exactly what Mimicry artist Amaresh plans to do. See Amaresh take on and bring to life various Bollywood greats, as they are put through various highly amusing fictitious scenarios.

 

 

Interactive Panels

Have you ever wanted to start your own business but didn't know how? How about exploring the paradigm differences between First Generation and Second Generation immigrants from Maharashtra? Topics such as these make up this year's lineup of interactive panels.

A Crash Course in Hindustani Classical Music
And by Crash Course, we really do mean crash. A crashing of musical cultures that is! Whether you know a little or a lot about Hindustani Classical, come hear Amit Apte demonstrate and speak on a variety of subjects in order to break open the mystery of this most complex and esoteric of musical styles. Amit will also feature renowned vocalist Mahesh Kale.

"For Here, Or To Go?"
Sponsored by Brihan Maharashtra Mandal, this book on first generation Marathi immigrants in North America is authored by Aparna Velankar.

Aparna traveled across the United States in 2005 and 2006 researching for the book on a fellowship from BMM. Her book traces the immigration of Marathi people to North America, which goes back to the 1960s. It follows these immigrants on their journey to an alien land, and documents their initial struggle for survival--those days without bhaat-aamti and the money for a call home to India. It also addresses the challenges of the workplace, social life, and raising children with dual identities. Velankar is a working journalist in India, where she works as an editor for the Lokmat Group of newspapers.

Shri Thanedar
Past President of BMM, Chairman - Chemir Analytical Services, Chairman - Azopharma Contract Services.

Shri Thanedar borrowed three thousand dollars on his credit card to enter the world of business ownership.  Today he owns Chemir Inc.(www.chemir.com) which comprises of nine companies totaling sales of over $60 million, with 325 employees including 69 PhD chemists. Seven of his companies are involved in Pharmaceutical product development services (www.azopharma.com).

Shri will give his insight into owning and developing a company through both acquisitions and organic growth.  As the format will be more of a discussion than a talk, please come prepared to ask questions.  This highly interactive and useful session from a leading business developer could be the beginning of your own entrepreneurial success.

Non Traditional Career Paths
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you just dropped what you were doing and went off to become a musician in LA? How about a night club owner in San Francisco? What if you left the US entirely and went off to pursue International Development?  Come hear about these and other non traditional careers directly from the very people who lead them. Learn not only what it takes to set out on your own career path less traveled, but also what kinds of skills you need and hardships you may encounter along the way. 

Neej Gore - San Francisco based Night Club Owner
Neej believes in a life less ordinary. While finishing his Engineering degree from Cornell, Neej started and sold his data-warehousing software company. That early success ignited his craving for entrepreneurship. Since that point, Neej has successfully opened and operates two premier San Francisco nightclub-lounges (Element Lounge & Etiquette Lounge), consulted in higher-education technology for 7 years, and recently launched a technology venture in the email marketing space (Mailboto.com). Neej enjoys anything athletic and outdoors.When not surrounded by the hustle-and-bustle of day-to-day life, Neej loves to spend time with his close friends and family.

Ami Koldhekar - International development
For 2 1/2 years, Ami was a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa where she worked in a village on microfinance and women's empowerment issues. After finishing up in October of 2007, she spent 6 months in India working in a similar field in South Asia. Most of this work was literally in the field, and not behind a desk. This work required her to live at the local level and speak a non-English language the whole time in order to be able to properly assess community needs.

Omi Vaidya - Los Angeles based Actor
You may have seen Omi in a commerical or two while watching TV.  But for a real glimpse into what Omi has done, one need only click on the following link:  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1437925/ 

Amit Apte - Recording Musician
Amit is a singer, songwriter, and music producer based in Los Angeles, CA. Using his technology background and love of music, it was a clear career move to music. Amit used to work for dot coms and IT software companies before making the move to LA. He is now promoting his solo album, performing with his band The Amit Apte Experience, as well as having started a new beat driven pop/rock project called the Rhetoricalz. Their debut album is due out later this year. Amit also collaborates with a network of very talented artists and musicians including Karmacy and hip hop artist Hassahn Phenomenon to name a few. Keep an eye out for this rising talent as his music has been considered by film and tv companies like The CW Network.

Neil Sadhu - Screenwriter
Neil's career in showbiz began the day he told his Dad that he'd been accepted into the USC School of Cinema-Television.  Instead of getting an elated "congratulations", "that's great", or "woo-hoo", he got a curious, "How'd you do that?" – followed by, "Are you sure you don't want to be a doctor?"  Looking back, he fondly considers that to be day one of the journey his Dad calls, "Neil's Gone to Hollywood".

Now, after years of experience in development at Spyglass Entertainment and Millar/Gough Ink, as well as writing for the television series SMALLVILLE, Neil's journey continues.  He is actively working on several pieces of material in various forms, including film, television and new media.  One of his current projects is the sports comedy SKATE OR DIE, which was optioned by Paul Walker's Be Good Productions.  In addition to writing, Neil has also added acting and producing to his credentials, recently linking up with fellow Indian filmmakers to launch Hollywood Mega Productions. 

Bhel Mixology 101
You might not be considered a Marathi Stewart, but we bet you'll have fun mixing together the ingredients that make up Bhel Mixology 101. Compete with friends for the most unique Bhel concoction, or just come up with a classic mix. Either way, a great snack food that you CAN play with.

The Seven Stars of Hinduism

Dileep Thatte has been conducting highly entertaining and educational seminars at Maiytra for years. Come see his newest seminar entitled The Seven Stars of Hinduism. In Dileep's words: "Hinduism is a very complex religion with a number of rituals, extensive mythology, and numerous practices. Many times, the core beliefs of the religion get eclipsed by these. This tends to lead to misunderstandings and myths about the religion amongst the Hindus as well as non-Hindus."

In order to address this issue, Dileep has organized the fundamental beliefs of Hinduism in a memorable and understandable fashion. He will also focus on how these beliefs and understandings can be related and integrated with our modern everyday life.

Hope Medical Institute's Seminar on the Medical MD program

Since its birth, Hope Medical Institute (HMI) has been a beacon of hope for many students - and their concerned parents-who have the lifelong dream of getting a thorough and well balanced education in the extremely competitive field of medicine.

As its name indicates, Hope Medical Institute was founded to eliminate despair and bring a fresh beginning and renewed hope to the lives of students who have been rejected for medical education because of the unavailability of space but who otherwise are as well qualified as those who were accepted. Come find out about the unique opportunities available through Hope Medical.

We would like to gauge interest in this seminar. If you are interested in attending, please email Anant Shinde at hopeanant@hotmail.com.

For more information, visit their website at: http://www.hopemedicaleducation.com/