The students from the summer camp
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The AHUM (Art Heart U & Mind) Trust, in collaboration with the Satya Foundation, Jakkur will present a performance of their annual art intensive summer programme, Kalakrida, which loops in children from under-served communities. Almost a hundred students were taught different art forms such as creative writing, theatre, music, konnakol, painting and movement during the three-week summer programme. These children will present their learnings and experiences at the showcase. Bharatanatyam dancer and founder of the trust, Anuradha Venkatraman, says, “The children will perform the songs they wrote on as well as a medley of Kannada songs that they learnt at the music class. This will be followed by Layavinyasa, which explores rhythm cycles in konnakol.”“After this, the children will narrate the stories they crafted in their creative writing classes and then, perform a contemporary movement piece titled Trapped in the Feed. There will be a Kannada adaptation of the play The Chalk Circle, after which the children will exhibit the art works created during their painting classes.” Usually, the Kalakrida programme, which was first curated in 2016, takes in about 120 students during registration. However, Anuradha points out, many of them drop out since they also have contribute to the family income during summer holidays. This year, 95 students studying in government schools in Jakkur completed the programme and will be a part of the event. “Through this showcase, these underprivileged children are given a freedom of expression which they do not enjoy in their home or school. Since most of the focus of education is on rote learning and STEM education, we forget that art helps in developing non-cognitive skills which are more valuable and necessary to face the world, understand teamwork and even solve problems,” she says. “We step in to fill this gap by bringing art and aiding their emotional growth in a positive way.” AHUM was started in 2015 with the basic idea of creating a sense of community through art in North Bengaluru. During the camp, the children were asked to choose any two art forms out of the six offered, which are then taught to them every day in two sessions. “From 10 in the morning to noon, movement, painting and creative writing are taught simultaneously in three different spaces. The next session from 1pm to 3pm, focuses on theatre, konnakol and music.” The students were also provided with lunch and transportation back to their homes once the camp ends at 3pm. Art facilitators and professional artists were hired to take these classes. Anuradha says, “We ensure that our facilitators give these children not just an experience of the art form, but also create a safe space for them to use art to express themselves and as a means of empowerment.” She adds,“Kalakrida has now slowly become our most important project and this year, we specifically focussed on the voices of these children through art. We are also considering expanding Kalakrida into a more collective space where these children can talk and express both literally and emotionally on stage, throughout the year and not just for 15 days.” Over the years, the trust has hosted Kalakrida and other events via crowdfunding and the support of other foundations and businesses in the community. “I invite as many people as possible to come watch these performances, see how skilled these children are and encourage their efforts,” says Anuradha. “The program is free and open to all.” On May 4, from 6.30 pm, at the Jakkur PU College. Entry free. For more details, call 9886334046 Published – May 01, 2025 03:26 pm IST