Report on Anudhyan The Rural School Intensive (RSI) for Tribal School Children
at Koraput, Odisha
9th Oct to 15th Oct 2016
Submitted to VEDANTA FOUNDATION
SPICMACAY Odisha Chapter 67 Surya Nagar, Bhubaneswar 751003 Ph. 9556485178, Email. [email protected] Report on The Rural School Intensive for Tribal School Children or RSI at Koraput, Odisha 9th Oct to 15th Oct 2016
SPIC MACAY (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture amongst Youth) a movement established in 1977 by Padma Shri Prof. (Dr.) Kiran Seth has over the years included many activities such as Fest, Viraasat Series, National School Intensives, International Convention, Lecture Demonstrations, Music in the Park, Gurukul Anubhav Scholarship scheme, Heritage walks. One of the other activities of SPIC MACAY is the Rural School Intensive or RSI. And for the first time it was held in Koraput exclusively for the Tribal children of Koraput and Rayagada Districts of Odisha supported by the Vedanta Foundation. As it is, the present generation has been accused of being unaware about the beauty and depth of Indian Classical music more so the Tribal children who are away from the mainstream life as compared to children in cities and towns. This initiative tried to give a platform to these children to become aware of not only the rich heritage but also witness some of the best artists closely. With the Rural School Intensive program SPIC MACAY hopes to reach out to every child in the State. Each RSI is held for 7 days with an ashram like atmosphere where students experience yog, learn art forms through workshops with Gurus, attend concerts by great maestros, watch classic cinema in English, Hindi and Odia and listen to talks by eminent speakers. Basic hospitality for food and accommodation to all participants, artists and guests; make infrastructural arrangements for hosting concerts and workshops, screening classic cinema, etc. was provided. The role of SPIC MACAY is that of a facilitator for not only bringing one close to their own self but also promotes a holistic development of self. This would eventually make them contribute to the development of the society. This initiative can have a profound impact on the mind of the young child, in making them more aesthetically inclined and imbibe values of discipline, focus, humility embodied in Indian culture. Most children will remember this experience life-long as they get exposure to rare art forms from the state and other parts of the country. The RSI at Koraput was organised from 9th Oct 16 to 15th Oct 16 in Ekalavya Model Residential School, Pungar which is about 30 Km from Koraput. School children from Raygada and Koraput Districts of Odisha accompanied by their teachers assembled in the school from 8th Oct16 onwards. Registration and choice of Intensives was done on 9th Oct’16. Children from 53 schools participated with 212 students from Rayagada district and 147 students from Koraput district. Also 54 teachers were present who shared the responsibility of all students. The Inauguration was held on the evening of 9th Oct with performances by Vidushi Aruna Mohanty Odissi Dancer and Pt. Nayan Ghosh on Sitar. The Chief Guest for the programme was MLA of the area Sri Jayaram Pangi along with other local officials. Other guests present were Sri Bijay Patnaik, Sri Sanjay Patnaik from Vedanta Foundation, Shri Jaya Kumar district collector of Koraput, Founder Chairperson of SPIC MACAY Dr Kiran Seth among others. From 10th Oct to 15th Oct the schedule followed was rigorous . With Yog from 4 am to 7am , breakfast and movement time from7am to 9am,Intensives from 9am to 12noon, and till 1pm lunch, 1pm to 4pm folk art, cinema and talks followed by 4pm to 6pm dinner and movement time, while 6pm to 8pm were time for major Concerts by eminent artists and by 10pm lights were out. The artists who performed were:- Rama Hari Das -Odissi Vocal, Aruna Mohanty - Odissi dance, VVN Challapathi Rao- Kuchipudi Dance, Dr. N.Rajam - Violin, Ronu Majumdar-Flute, Sumithra Vasudev- Carnatic Vocal, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt-Mohan Veena, Rammohan Maharaj-Kathak, Punya Srinivas - Veena, Jaiteerth Vasantrao Mevundi-Carnatic Vocal, Debashish Bhattacharjee - Sarod, Shubhomoy Bhattacharya - Hindustani Vocal, TV Sankaranarayanan- Carnatic Vocal, Mayurbhanj Chhau-Folk, Raavan Chhaya –Puppetry, Bharati Bandhu-Sufi, Dhimsa-Folk Koraput, Ghumura-Folk Koraput, Pithora art of the Bhils by Gangu Bai Amalya, Pattachitra by Purna Chandra Moharana, Tribal painting by Dasha Murmu besides Naad Yog & Hath Yog. The 7 days RSI concluded with the Validation Ceremony and the Overnight Concert on 14th Oct’ 16 which started at 8 pm and ended at 6.30am the next morning. The guests were Sri Jhinha Ekka MP Koraput and Sri Pangi MLA. For everyone present it was indeed a unique and everlasting experience. The programme started with Shri TV Sankaranarayanan's recital at 8pm. Followed by Jaiteerth Vasantrao Mevundi, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharji and Punya Srinivas. The children would not only take back with them a glimpse of our cultural heritage but would be able to give wings to their imagination in years to come. This RSI in a distant place like Koraput in Odisha would not have been possible without the cooperation and good wishes of the local Government officials, administration, members of Vedanta Foundation and school authorities. And above all the selfless work of the volunteers of SPIC MACAY from Koraput and those who had come from not only Bhubaneswar but from as far as Bengaluru to help make this RSI a great success1.
1 Mr Gourahari Das (writer), Mr Subodh Rana (pottery) and Pt Uday Bhawalkar (Dhrupad) couldn't make it to the RSI due to pressing personal problem. Ms Jahnabi Behera (Odissi) and Sri Subhomay Bhattacharya (Hindustani) performed in their place. Annexure Program Schedule
Photographs
Volunteers Meet addressed by Dr Kiran Seth in Bhubaneswar prior to his departure to attend Koraput RSI.
Inauguration – Lighting of the lamps Odissi recital by Smt Aruna Mohanty.
Beauty of nature at the camp site.