Bangalore: NBCLC – Festival of Art Forms
by Jessie Rodrigues - Daijiworld News Network Bangalore
Bangalore, Nov 18: NBCLC Centre held "Festival of Art Forms" a first of its kind in India from 14th till the 17th of Nov., at their centre, Cooke Town, Bangalore.
A Drama called "Portrait of Epoch" was staged by a group of students from Christ College, Bangalore enacting many parts of Biblical characters including the individual and mob with body theatre without any sets of probs, a rehersal filled with moments of celebration.
The folk dances by "Kalari" group were very colourful. Fr. Vincent Wilson in his introduction to Kalari art mentioned that Kalari started in the year 1994 and since then gained its popularity mainly in the Southern parts of India. Kalari takes art forms of ordinary people and systemizes them before presenting it in the open. It is like sowing the seeds of social transformation.
Pareyatam, a Dalit arts dance has national and international acclaim which breaks oppression leading to freedom. In Karanatam dance the village women freely express their feelings.
Rev. Thomas D'sa, Director of NBCLC welcomed the Archbishop, His Grace Bernard Moras in his welcome address.
It was a great privilege for NBCLC when His Grace, Bishop Bernard Moras released the Souvenir "Kalothsava" on the occasion of this great festival. Rev. Thomas D'sa welcomed the Archbishop with great honour.
He said the world today needs artists just like doctors, engineers, architects, journalist & so on. Artists have unique place in this world he added.
His Grace in his address stated that "Not all are called to be artistes". With artistic expressions, you become fully alive in the world he added. He praised all the craftsmen to be blessed by God and make this world a better place for all to live.
The exhibition "The Dolls Speak" by Francoise Bosteels, a member of the Sisters of the Divine Saviour (SDB), a Belgian by birth who came to India more than 30 years ago. She presented a collection of dolls made by her over a period of more than 25 years Folk Music, Bhajans, Pythri song invoking Peace, Suggi Haadu rejoicing on the 1st showers etc.. were some of the performances by Rev. Simon D'Souza and party from Beedar.
Folk dance by Kalari on Onam celebrations in Kerala, Maharashtrian folk dance, Kaliyil a Marshal arts dance were among the hit ones. To add to that a beautiful "Snake dance" by Nandkumar from Nrithyavani was liked by one and all.
The Carnatic Music Recital by Fr. Paul Poovathingal, CMI, followed by the Gazals, Tamil Keerthanams and Ragams kept the crowd enthralled throughout.
The following were the Chief Guests for the day from 14th till the 16th respectively.
John B. Kutinha, basically a teacher of English, was nominated by the Government of Karnataka as a Member of the well-known "Karnataka II Backward Classes Commission". Director of "Project Jagruti" of AICU. Was elected as one of the Vice Presidents of AICU and also served as a Member of the National Advisory Council of CBCI.
J.W. Lobo Director of Indian Council for Cultural Religions (ICCR). Academic Awards: Doctor degree from Uzbekistan State, Honorary Member of Tashkent State, Mann-Monis award 2005 for his contribution to Konkani Culture. He handled the largest ever Festivals of USSR and France in the Region.
Devika Rajeev an accomplished performing artist, has done Masters in Ravindra University in Calcutta. She has won the award "Kala Tilakam" and was the first rank holder in MBA.