The Center for India Studies in collaboration with the Isha Foundation presented an evening of Music and Meditation. The Isha Foundation is a non- profit humanitarian organization founded by Sadhguru, a yogi mystic, and profound visionary. During the evening, volunteers from the Isha Institute of Inner-sciences offered an opportunity to explore and experience the power and purpose of meditation. The audience enjoyed an evening filled with exuberant music, scintillating dance performance and learning opportunities followed by a sumptuous dinner.

The Center for India studies presented a lecture by Mr. Raghuram, President of Hindu University of America, on the topic, “Relevance of Swami Vivekananda in 21st Century”. The lecture celebrated the 150th birthday of Swami Vivekananda who came to the U.S. in 1893 to address the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. This event marked the first formal gathering of representatives of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. Shri Raghuramjee discussed the thoughts the Swami expressed in 1893 in Chicago and how they are still relevant today.

The Center for India Studies in collaboration with Swaradhana, a local Indian classical music organization, presented a musical concert by the Indian vocalist, Shri Anand Bhate. The traditional musical presentation included semi-classical music know as Natya Sangeet or theatrical music, which is extremely popular in the Maharshtra region of India. Shri Anand Bhate is a senio disciple of the renowned late Pandit Bhimsenj Joshi.

The Center for India Studies in collaboration with Swaralaya, the Carnatic music organization of Tampa Bay, presented a musical tribute to the legends of Indian Classical Music, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Vidwan M.S Gopalakrishnan. Performers included Shri Mahabala on sitar (plucked stringed instrument) Shri Thiru Pant on the tabla (hand drums), Ms. Kalpana Ajay on violin and Shri Venupuri on the mridangam (percussion instrument used in Carnatic music).

The Center for India Studies in collaboration with PEHCHAAN of Tampa Bay presented a screening of Hiding Divya, a documentary that highlights the taboo of mental illness in the South Asian community. This film provided a rare, realistic and poignant glimpse into the lives of three generations of women caught in a cycle of denial, shame and guilt. The film screening was followed by an engaged question and answer session with the director of the film, Rehana Mirza, who said that her intention in making the film was to spread awareness about mental illness.

The Center for India Studies in partnership with Life in Yoga Institute and the USF College of Public Health presented YOGA as Medicine, a CME course for physicians, medical professionals and yoga instructors. Participants learned about yoga therapy and the feedback from the physicians implies that they can help patients with yoga practice. The course presented the basis of yoga and yoga research for therapeutic purposes and for health maintenance; the course included theory, demonstration and practice. The four day conference was very beneficial for the participants who belong to different range of profession. They expressed their gratitude to Dr. Narayanan, the yoga instructor at the end of the session. Before the official conference, Dr. Narayanan volunteered to share some basic yoga techniques with USF Staff and Students during two free seminars sponsored by the Center for India Studies.