Chapter 6, An atmosphere of celebration

          Celebrations in school                                                                              Children too excited with Jasmin*

Children of Badanga were too excited about us outsiders coming to their village and doing different art projects, as most of the projects involved working with these children. After school they would visit the residency place where some of the artists are working, then they will run to another project site. In a way there was never a defined set of children working in a particular project. As far as my project was concerned, as I said I managed to get some kids (like, 10+ years old) at the beginning followed by just a couple of kids working with me for a couple of days. These two were my constant companions in the execution of the work with other kids joining or not joining us as the project was developing. And after some days, their numbers shoot up as they would wait for their treats after the day’s work.

    Shantilal and Pannalal were my constant companions in executing the project

                                            Children with Annabel*

The atmosphere of Badanga was charged up with so much happening in every nook and corner of the village. The roads were always full of kids running here and there, especially in the morning and evening when they are not in the school. People of Badanga were very fond of dancing. Whether they had clothes to wear or not, the school was equipped with an excellent sound system. And to win the hearts of people there, you need to be a good dancer…or at least pretend to be- that I felt was an unsaid part of the deal. If they like you, they are with you. And more or less all of the artists were very fond of dancing…it was like a stress buster for everyone after the day’s work. For me personally, I was happy sitting and enjoying people dance, for climbing up and down the mountain was much of physical activity for me and all I wanted after the day’s work was just to sit and relax and watch the night sky of Badanga (quite a sight to enjoy especially for the people of cities like Delhi where the sky is always grey with pollution) with Zaynab playing her guitar, and every one of us singing.

 

In every way, the atmosphere of the village was charged up, exiting, at the same time peaceful and full of celebration. How truly it is said, art is a universal language. I learned that you don’t need to be an intellectual or sophisticated individual to understand and celebrate art, but art in itself requires a simple heart and a reciprocating soul in order to be celebrated. Like the creator- the ultimate artist has never discriminated between his ordinance, but has created for the sake of joy and to rejoice his own creation. And so, if art needs to be manifested, it should also not be bounded by rules and protocols or be mindful of the kind of ordinances. But it needs to be a natural manifestation of joy contained in the heart of an artist and be a response to the inner calling while he listens to the songs of silence resonating in the universe within and outside.

                    Village children dancing on republic day celebrations

* Jasmine was an amazing performance artist from Scotland 

* Annabel from Spain was another brilliant painter and a papermaker artist.