At a time when there are purported revivers of Indian Culture sprouting everywhere stuffing their idea of culture down the throats, the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth, identified by the popular acronym SPIC-MACAY has been labouring silently promoting Indian music, art and culture among the students in association with renowned artists from all over India. One of their latest initiatives has been the Rural School Intensive (RSI) Program that is being conducted all over India. Through this programme, students studying in Government schools in rural areas are exposed to various forms of Indian classical arts. These workshops, conducted by renowned artists, provide a bird’s eye view of the art form to inculcate in the students a spark of inquisitiveness to explore more and appreciate the nuances of the art. Yoga, dance, music, pottery, feature films are some of the areas covered by this programme.
Sattriya dance from Assam, Kathak and Bharatanatyam workshops were conducted in the rural parts surrounding Bangalore over a period of six days. At the Government High School in Kodihalli, Jyotsna Jagannathan, a Bharatnatyam exponent enamoured the students for over two hours, showcasing some of the basic tenets of the dance followed by a simple, yet captivating performance. Jyotsna’s friendly and humorous approach instantaneously won over the students who responded enthusiastically and participated actively in the workshop – be it doing the adavus or representing the hasta mudras . Beginning with an elucidation of communication and how dance is another form of it, she deftly led the students on a creative exploration – broadening their horizon of understanding of and means of communication. As the creativity unfurled across the students’ minds, a dried up stick turned into a flute, a guitar, a sword and even set the stage for the SitaSwayamvara by transforming into the legendary bow of Lord Shiva!! The pataaka hasta became a representation for iPhones, iPads, for showing birds, trees laden with leaves, and to give blessings. But amidst all this, the real pleasure was to see the children’s faces light up with wonder and happiness. The joy they felt while doing the tattadavu was one of unbridled abandon, which Jyotsna deftly managed to steer into a more disciplined pattern, embellishing into their mind an appreciation for the sanctity of the art form. Apart from demonstrating the adavus , the students also learnt about the hasta mudras and the Navarasas . Evocating each Navarasa, they were able to relate them to their day to day experiences – and in turn realized how fine arts has its roots in every aspect of our life. Art afterall is an expression of human experience and imagination.
The performances by Jyotsna to the electrifying “ Bho Shambho ”, and the lilting “ Thumak chalat Ram Chandra ” and “ Chikkavanene ivanu ” steeped in the Abhinaya held the audience in rapture. Evocative emotions of love, affection, wonder, devotion, humor were generously laced throughout these performances.
Speaking about the initiative, Supriti, one of the senior volunteers shared her experiences – “Thanks to the collaboration and directive by the Department of Education, we have been able to reach out to many government schools in rural parts of Bangalore. This programme aims to conduct nearly 3 lakh programmes all over India. Our aim is to have every child experience the inspiration and mysticism embodied in Indian and World Heritage. If we can at least ignite a spark of interest in these kids about Indian Fine Arts, we’ll consider this effort as a success.” Divyashree, while speaking about her experiences in reaching out to the schools highlighted about the initial doubts the schools had about the reception to the programme. However, thanks to the artists, the students had in no time been won over; also the management of the schools. Young Salim vowed to learn Bharatanatyam and nurture his creative vision. For young Megha, “Madam’s expressions were just fantastic!! I want to learn dance and one day, I will also perform in front of hundreds of people!”
The teachers and principal of the Kadugodi Government High School were extremely pleased with the enthusiastic participation of the kids that had not been foreseen. For Jyotsna Jagannathan, this experience has been a wonderful journey through myriad human emotions and a study of cultural and environmental impact on the young minds. This being her first association with Spic-Macay, the visits to the schools have opened new creative insights in her. “It is amazing to see how environment plays a significant impact on children’s perceptions. Many kids in remote rural areas said that watching the sky scrapers and malls in the city evokes in them the ‘ adbhuta ’ rasa, whereas these kids here, in a more urban setting said that watching birds fly and looking at huge trees evoked the ‘ adbhuta ’ rasa in them!” While commending the efforts of SPIC-MACAY, Jyotsna also emphasized the need for sustaining the interest of the children in Fine Arts and hoped the schools would work with the organization towards that end.
