According to globally acclaimed Kathak dancer, Shovana Narayan, where art is not given an appropriate place, there is bound to be violence against humanity. She was referring to certain parts of the world where terrorists commit crimes against humanity without a second thought. She said that Indian civilization has always placed value on arts and its soulfulness and that must be nurtured. That the image of a flute playing Lord Krishna or a Natraja Shiva are not only enduring and most recognizable deity images but also are accepted divine forms—all demonstrating how divine is best depicted in art form. Art is the rhythm in nature, everywhere in daily life in maths, in music, in colors around, in shapes. “Sensitiveness and creativity comes through art and therefore Art must be mainstream and not extracurricular in schools,” she said during launch of ART in Childhood campaign “Khilta Bachpan” by ChildFund India on Jan 31 in New Delhi.
ChildFund India launched its nationwide campaign “Khilta Bachpan” that aims to provide children aged 6-18 years, in underserved communities across the country, access to art education, in order to promote cognitive, social and emotional learning, encourage creative expression and inculcate in them appreciation for the richness and diversity of arts in India, while giving them a platform and an opportunity to “ENGAGE. EXPRESS. EMPOWER!”
Saying that the initiative was necessitated to positive distraction in children, Neelam Makhijani, Country Director and CEO of ChildFund India is of the view that such a campaign is necessary to bring back human touch and sensitize brain of children. “We believe Art in any form – literature, dance, painting, etc. when pursued with passion gives children an opportunity to channelize their energies positively and access to unexplored vistas of their personalities by opening doors to untapped opportunities. Through Khilta Bachpan we aspire to help children form a perspective, lose inhibitions, gain confidence as well as harnesses their potential and incubate their talents,” she added.
“Khilta Bachpan” was launched at a government school in Delhi and is mainly targeted at underserved communities. Apart from confidence, awareness about safety etc, the initiative is also meant to boost life skills. Walter Peter, Theatre Artist has been roped in for theatre part of the initiative and there are other partners who are lending the campaign support.
According to globally acclaimed Kathak dancer, Shovana Narayan, where art is not given an appropriate place, there is bound to be violence against humanity. That the image of a flute playing Lord Krishna or a natraja Shiva are not only enduring but given a higher pedestal demonstrates how art has been used by divine to convey the best teachings. Art is the rhythm in nature, everywhere in daily life in maths, in music, in colors around, in shapes. “Sensitiveness and creativity comes through art and therefore Art must be mainstream and not extracurricular in schools,” she said during launch of ART in Childhood campaign “Khilta Bachpan” by ChildFund India on Jan 31 in New Delhi.
