Art inclined administrators.

At the college level I have observed we are forced to learn Sanskrit. Not understanding the context or concepts of the text. Not discussing the depth, metaphors or comparing the changes
between then and now. I would like to work on the text in a different way with the students. While we introduce the text through chanting,traditional puppets and folk art, miniature paintings which are so vivid and pulsating I am sure it will leave an impression. We have the
students express their understanding of the text through dance, drama or drawing. We encourage them to change the text, intersperse it with issues they would like to connect it with. Then we invite the Kuddiyatum performers who ideally have an intensive in the morning with the students pointing out some intricacies of the dance form followed by a performance in the evening. The students are involved at every step of organising the event, escorting the artists, gathering
the funds. The performance happens at a community space. This experience is documented and the highly enthused students are given an opportunity to attend the national convention of SPICMACAY.

I believe through art we can bring into forum niggling topics necessary for public debate. I wish to take a firm stand against exploitation.Whether it is the depleting earth resources, the queer community or women.

I hope to make a concise action plan that could be put in place in schools across India. I am curious to explore and integrate Art in education. Students like me are not aware of the rich
and artistic traditions of the country, of the vibrant and ever evolving nature of creative arts. I would like to find out more about the gap in a rich cultural heritage being on the periphery of education. Find out more about the problem associated with integrating art education in schools. I hope to make an action plan to integrate at least one art form theatre/music/puppetry in schools.

My long term goals include being part of a model where each individual may be given the space to be. Thus students may be able to appreciate and respect cultural heritage and cultivate rich interests which they can pursue in their leisure and later in life. I believe the hope of education could be to sensitise children to tolerate and if possible accept differences around them. Most of what I am saying has been said before. I want to be part of making it happen at the grassroots’ level. I foresee ideological differences and a long struggle with bureaucracy. However I hope to rejuvenate the particular art form of Kudiyattum and creating a web of art inclined administrators.

Creating learning spaces around art

Learning is a dynamic process. The teacher and student constantly exchange seats.It transforms the rasik and rasa. India is a land of oral traditions. We are a group of talkative and noisy people. Instead of adopting blindly, education boards that do not strengthen core concepts. We must strive to recreate the oral tradition in context of the technology-aided civilisation we live in. We need to move away from the violent teaching practices adopted in the name of education.

The classical tradition in India is a complex science. It is high time we work towards demystifying its complexity. On approaching a work of art the reactions most of us have range from wonder, boredom to delight. Each reaction of the audience is an important tool to understand what we can do to sustain these art forms. As a community, if we don’t attempt to ‘see’ these dying art forms in a new light we might loose sight of them forever.

The need is to find contexts for ancient wisdom. Bringing them into learning spaces where they can be questioned and analyzed before being accepted and integrated or rejected. However, the attempt must focus on the experience and creation of a memory.

India as a country has been striving to preserve its rich cultural heritage. Its commendable of the government to make efforts to reach out to artists communities and take them to village communities, however if use art forms as puppets for propaganda when needed and not give them spaces to explore their intricacies and tell their own stories. Folk art traditions which are sporadic and spontaneous have a predictable format in ‘shows’. With star artists and attractive women.

SPICMACAY as a voluntary group movement has most importantly created a rapport with artists of fame and folk traditions. The efforts are noteworthy to reach out to the large number of students across the country. However, some quarters perceive the movement as an elitist group. Classical traditions have most students turn their backs. I believe, the college level is too late to approach individuals to be sensitive to the arts while being bombarded with mass media, which numbs our senses.

Artists have always been on the periphery of society. With no place to go and a society which has a mix of people who raise them with praises during a evening but will be shocked and hurt if their own child wants to become an artist.