Spic Macay brings taste of culture pie for school kids

BHUBANESWAR: For Srabani Mohapatra, a Class VII student, it was a dream come true to watch eminent Odissi dancer Sonal Mansingh perform live on stage. “I had read about her in books… she is simply outstanding even at this age,” said the girl from Dhenkanal.
Over 300 schoolchildren from different parts of the state will get to enjoy classical dance and music during Rural School Intensive (RSI), a weeklong programme that began here on Monday.
The programme is aimed at creating awareness on India’s cultural heritage organized by Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture amongst Youth (Spic Macay) in association with the Norwegian government.
“RSI aims to reach every child in the country and provide her with an opportunity to experience the inspiration and mysticism embodied in Indian and world heritage. This seven-day programme is a journey back to our roots through our priceless heritage, which is being neglected day by day,” said founder of Spic Macay Kiran Seth.
Around 100 eminent artists and craftsmen from various genres of music, dance, folk, theatre and crafts will create awareness among the school students through their performances and lecture demonstrations. RSI is a residential awareness camp for rural students in which students are exposed to India’s cultural heritage through music, dance, folk art, yoga and meditation. Classic films will be screened and a heritage walk will also be organized for the children.
Children will be able to experience something intense by being exposed to masters in traditional art forms. This will help them develop a lifelong interest and be influenced by our living heritage, Seth added.
The eminent artists include Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the Warsi brothers, Aswini Bhide Despande, Pandit Viswamohan Bhat, Illiana Citaristi, Guru Gopal Chandra Panda, Guru Ramahari Das, Aruna Mohanty, L Subramanium, Jatin Das, Girija Devi, N Rajam and many others. Beside, puppet shows, yoga and film screening will also be held.
The residential programme was inaugurated on the Institute of Physics campus here on Monday where culture minister Ashok Panda, school and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra along with other dignitaries were present.