SOLD OUT
In-Person Diwali event on Oct 30th
Join us in A Culinary Celebration of Diwali
Award winning chef Surbhi Sahni, Author Sarah Thomas and Cultural Educator Anu Sehgal will take you on a culinary journey through India as we celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights with our favorite Kalamata.
Chef Surbhi Sahni, founder of Tagmo Treats, will discuss the significance of mithai 🍥 (sweets) during Diwali. She’ll take us on a journey through sweet customs during the upcoming festival of lights in India. Author Sarah Thomas will read from her acclaimed Kalamata’s Kitchen, so this time come with #mindopenforkready. Cultural and language expert Anu Sehgal, Founder of The Culture Tree will share the cultural significance of Diwali and take you on an experiential journey of the festival, and also read from Desi Babies Diwali book.
You will also get to sample Tagmo mithai and do a rangoli coloring activity.
Age: 3 – 12 years
🎫 Buy Tickets Here
The Climate Warriors
Inspirational stories from around the world about how little kids have tried to make the earth more beautiful, safe and sustainable
Goal: Celebrate Earth Day and Instill Conversation about the Environment and Climate Change Through Puppetry
Given the importance of youngsters to be part of the discussion on climate change, we have developed a puppet show for children to learn how they can take action to help save Planet Earth. The story captures the journey of three inspirational children located different parts of the world, who join forces to take action and make a change so as to inspire their parents, friends and everyone around them to save Planet Earth. These youngsters are brave, knowledgeable and environmentally responsible. This show will empower your children to understand the importance of climate change and what they can do to help reverse the climate crisis.
Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Time Frame: April (Earth Day), June (World Environment Day) or Year Round
Age: 3 – 16 years (Children and parents)
Colors of Krishna's Love
Celebrate Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors
Through our puppet show Colors of Krishna’s Love, we bring to life Krisha and a popular story of Holi, while also addressing the colorism that existed during Krishna’s time and during our current time. We address this topic head-on, while also providing a strong message that love and friendship prevail and skin color doesn’t matter.
Holi has its roots in ancient Indian mythology. Lord Krishna loves to have fun with his friends and family. He plays Holi, throwing colored powder, and sharing love and laughter. The Culture Tree has created a puppet show that showcases Krishna playing Holi with his friends Radha and Sudama. Here children will learn the story of Holi and also learn how it is celebrated.
Duration: 45 minutes
Timing: March/April
Age: 3 – 12 years (Children and parents)
Ramleela
Story of Diwali, The Indian Festival of Lights
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. It is also marks the start of New Year in Hindu calendar.
The festival of Diwali has its roots in ancient India and the epic Ramayan. Through Ramleela our Puppet Storytime, see Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Ravana come to life. It is a famous story, a little mysterious, a little sad, but with a happy ending. The show will teach the meaning of true devotion, love, kindness and valor; all while learning why we celebrate Diwali. We will end in a surprise celebration!
Duration: 45 mins
Time Frame: October/November
Age: 3 – 12 years
Mindful Eating
Mindfulness, is noticing thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and your immediate environment without judgment. Through Mindfulness you are able to be present in the moment and direct your own attention to where you want it to be at any given moment and keep it there. In this session we will talk about how one can develop a Mindful relationship with food and eating. This is an experiential workshop, where you will learn about mindful eating, Indian spices, their health benefits and their origins – the session is centered around making healthy vegetarian Indian food and then eating it mindfully.
To schedule a session please connect with us.
Events
We provide multi-sensorial programming for any key South Asian celebration. This can include: storytime, craft, dance, music, puppetry, yoga, mindfulness, cooking, calligraphy and decoration.
We can customize the programming based on your goal, budget and audience.
Dabba Dialogue
Dabba Dialogue is a series in which we will have conversations about our “story”, revolving around identity, diversity, heritage and culture.
Episode 1:
Our first segment will feature Chief Spice Mama Dr Kanchan Koya and singer Falu. In our first session, we will invite 6 Indian – American kids to describe and talk about their Dabbas and share their story.
Asia Society hosts our next event where we will have conversation with Teens about identity
Past Events
Cultural Event Series
Cultural Event Series
Cultural Event Series
We host several cultural events and book readings at NYPL
Fauja Singh Keeps Going
https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2020/12/09/kidslive-author-program-simran-jeet-singh?nref=91110
Cultural Event Series
A Private Tour of Henri Cartier-Bresson's: India in Full Frame
Eid Around the World
Holi: Festival of Colors
Eid Around the World
We hosted an Eid celebration at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. June 2017
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cmom.nyc/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155521291461941
India @ 70
Holi: Festival of Colors
Eid Around the World
The Culture Tree was honored to be a part of the Independence Day celebration at the Indian Consulate, where the new Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty read the President's address with a vision of "New India", where we have a "compassionate society that adds to our country's pride."
Holi: Festival of Colors
Holi: Festival of Colors
Holi: Festival of Colors
We hosted a big Holi celebration at the Children's Museum of Manhattan in March 2017 and at the New York Public Library in March 2016
Wonderland Lit Festival
Wonderland Lit Festival
Wonderland Lit Festival
First Ever Literary Festival for Indian-American Children.
Mindful Eating
Wonderland Lit Festival
Wonderland Lit Festival
We have taught a slew of Mindful Eating classes at NYPL, CMOM and Whole Foods