BIG HOPE – JUNE 4th to JUNE 11th 2008 – UK – PART 4
That morning is an unforgettable morning as we walked into the Lecture Theatre Lab, on the table was written two name plates of Nirupama Rajendra next to Dr.Abdul Kalam…
I was going to share the same table & sit right next to him.
I couldn’t believe this honour that life had brought us.
As expected Dr.Kalam gave the keynote address on the topic “can arts save the world”quoting simple examples on how Art Intergrates Hearts .
He spoke about a situation in Sudan …as he looked out of the window of his room … seeing the two nile rivers joining & how it brought out a beautiful poetry on Intergration of Minds & in the parliament address next morning how ….people impressed by this translated it into Arabic & many other languages.It had united Nations !
So beautiful …so beautiful…
Friends, please don’t miss the rest of his speech on his website.
www.abdulkalam.com
Then came our presentation….
We showed beautiful images of the work done by our Abhinava Dance Compnay.
I spoke about the purpose & creation of Natya …as per Natya Shastra …how it was meant to connect with the world…
How in our basic training systems a dancer is taught to respect the Earth, ackowldege the presence of the supreme & honour the Gurus & people. With the support of visuals, we spoke about how Art can transform Individuals & also helps as a media to collectively raise consciousness on themes.
Especially the work we had done for humanity …the production on COW PROTECTION with 80 artists & the healing program , a cross cultural work with the American Contemporary Dancers & Classical India Dancers from USA on the theme of Tsunami & Katrina tragedy.
The response to our presenttaion was very good.
After us was Sarah Champion..the Director of Chinese Contemporary Arts Theatre & then were two youngsters from African Contact Theatre Company who spoke & illustrated on how their Arts Can /cannot save the world.
We were all asked very interesting questions & it has made us further contemplate & think deeper .
The next session of our work with the delegates & our performance at the closing ceremony will be posted soon.
Watch out for this space.
Would love to hear from you all.
NIRU RAJU
BIG HOPE – JUNE 4th to JUNE 11th 2008 – UK – PART 3
Words fail to describe the greatness of this humble soul who swept people off their feet by his knowledge, wisdom & goodness.His speech on Young India in tomorrow’s world & also address to the GLOBAL YOUTH brought tears to our eyes.
We can never forget his very first entry on the stage …as he walked along with the Vice Chancellor,Deans & other eminent people, the entire Sports hall stood up & clapped for him.
You know what he did ?
He was also sweetly clapping for himself ( may be) & cheering everybody J
We can never forget some of the things he said …to all the future leaders that :
“TO AIM SMALL IS A CRIME”
He made the entire hall repeat verses on Righetousness, Knowledge & Harmony in Nation.He shared some storries on his life’s experiences, inspirations …& leadership values.
It was a soul stirring talk.Please visit his website www.abdulkalam.com to know more about his speeches…his life his works.
Dr.KALAM is GREAT as an ARTIST,SCIENTIST,TEACHER & LEADER & above all a GREAT GREAT HUMAN BEING.
AND WE HAD DINNER WITH HIM :)
The next morning we were to present our paper ,talk & contribute in the discuss forum on the topic “ Can Arts Save the World”
The Chairman Dr.Hoeward Raynor had prepared very well to raise the issues of Art & its global connection…
BIG HOPE – JUNE 4th to JUNE 11th 2008 – UK – PART 2
Was held at this awesome Roman Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool in the presence of Cherrie Booth ,wife of Britain Prime minister Tony Blair.
The BIG HOPE flag was brought in a procession followed by the flags of the 55 countries.Delegates carrying their flags with pride & joy was a sight to see.
Renowned speakers across the globe were invited to address at this congress that included former President of India Dr.APJ.Kalam.
We had heard about this former president but never had a chance to listen to his talk or meet him. We were eagerly looking forward to this evening. Suprisingly it wasn’t just us…the entire delegation plus 500 other invitees who came JUST to see Dr.Kalam & hear him talk gathered at the Sports Hall.
BIG HOPE – JUNE 4th to JUNE 11th 2008 – UK – PART 1
Hey friends we are sooooooooo pleased to start this blog with our most recent experience …. Something that brought a big difference in our lives….
Recently ,we were invited & sponsored by MILAP FEST , a premier music & dance agency based in Liverpool to contribute at the biggest ever summit for young people called the BIG HOPE.
BIG HOPE was the World Youth Congress organised by Hope University Liverpool UK.
The objective of the congress was to bring future leaders together to consider the much-needed inter-connection between personal integrity and public life and to consider the question of how we may develop a humane global society and our role as individuals to help make it possible.
A wide range of issues were dealt from human rights, global co-existence and international development to education, arts, sport and culture – all critical topics of the day.
In the Indian Culture, Arts and Creativity Strand, we were invited as Strand Leaders…to speak,teach & perform at this congress.
We were amazed by the scale in which this was done.There were 700 people from 55 countries !!
