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| Gopal, an artiste from Assam, performs at Arogya Bhavan in Ranchi on Wednesday. Picture by Hardeep Singh |
Ranchi, Feb. 24: It was as much an interaction among artistes as an interface among their cultures. And the outcome was just as creative.
Art Karavan International, a travelling artistes’ camp, is here. A group of artistes, including 13 from abroad, reached the state capital yesterday and were joined by 20 others from Jharkhand, including members of CARDS, the local associates.
The visitors wanted to interact with the local artistes
from different disciplines, to see and show their respective art forms and achieve a better understanding and a sense of camaraderie among all. They want to interact with students as well. “We held a workshop with the students of Rabindra Bharati University in Calcutta and the experience was unique for both sides. Want to have more such things here,” said Yola Garbers of Holland.
State’s sports, art and culture director Anurag Gupta had also suggested the same after getting introduced to the artistes last evening. “Since it’s a rare occasion to have so many artistes here, it would be better if they interacted with the students,” he said.
We will begin with Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali, tomorrow,” said Dinesh Singh, the president of CARDS, adding that such interactions had been lined up, including one with inmates of the local jail.
How such interactions can be helpful was immediately visible when Gopal Sarma, a painter from Guwahati, sang an Assamese song set in a folk tune and Katalyn Lengyel from Hungary started dancing in a contemporary European dance style. “I really couldn’t follow what the lyrics meant, but I felt the atmosphere it created and tried to connect myself,” she later said.
Manola Gayatri of JNU, Delhi, gave a melodious rendition of the song, “And I want you to be happy/ And I hope you always will/ For I cannot rest easy/ Until all your dreams are real”, which project director Inder Salim described as the karavan song.
Roman Storchak and Iryna Ishchuk, both from Ukraine, presented a contemporary swing dance item that moved the audience with its “lindy-hops”. Inspired, some joined in when asked to do so. Usha Kiran, a lecturer of the local Women’s College recited a Hindi poem and Apala, a student of Loreto Convent, presented an Indian classical dance item that she was getting trained in.
The interaction will continue till March 2 and it is expected that artistic activities will get a fillip by the time the caravan moves on to Patna, the camp’s next destination.