Started with OM and the Hanuman Stotram chanting a few times.

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं
जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठ ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं
श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ।

Mano-Javam Maaruta-Tulya-Vegam
Jite[a-I]ndriyam Buddhi-Mataam Varissttha |
Vaata-Atmajam Vaanara-Yuutha-Mukhyam
Shriiraama-Duutam Sharannam Prapadye |

We briefly discussed what we were celebrating on Sunday and it was heartening to see a few kids knew about Republic Day! We also discussed that it was MLK Day on Monday and in general, how we need to respect and learn from great patriotic leaders. 🙏

It was a very short Dharma class, so really sorry that we could not have some fun story time!

Hope you all have a great week ahead 🙏

PS: Next Sunday (Feb 2nd) is Vasant Panchami, and if the kids can come in white/offwhite outfits (only if possible), that will be super cool.

Please check the following links that will be helpful for those who are new this semester. Returning students may also find them useful. Please encourage all children to practice while playing the sruthi box in the background:

• 2.5 kattai (D#) sruthi
• First few Sarali Varsai practice video
• Notation for basic lessons

Topics Covered:

• Basics of Telugu
• Number of aksharams in Telugu language
• First 6 Telugu aksharams: అ ఆ ఇ ఈ ఉ ఊ and words that start with these letters

Homework:

• Write your name in Telugu and learn the Telugu meaning of your name.
• Learn at least 2 more words that start with the first 6 letters (అ ఆ ఇ ఈ ఉ ఊ) and be ready to discuss in the next class.
• Try to learn at least one simple Telugu sentence to share with the class, e.g.:
• Andariki Sankranthi Subhakankshalu (అందరికీ సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు)
• Memu Gurukulam lo Telugu nerchukuntunnamu (మేము గురుకులం లో తెలుగు నేర్చుకుంటున్నాము)

Audio file available for practice.