Remnant potpourri feature
IThe learned Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the NDIA, once rightly said that the only alternative to coexistence is co-destruction. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to find ways to coexist, not just coexist, but with love and mutual respect. Indian pluralism is both India’s pride and a recurring bane for India as we are so easily drawn into narratives of difference. India is a land of diversity, with a staggering number of faith communities, cultural and artistic traditions, languages and cuisines, so it’s easy to hum ‘otherness’. And communist divisive politics will not help.
However, diversity coins also have another side. It is beautiful, even if it is somewhat underutilized. Through hundreds of years of proximity, many communities in India have created a beautiful fusion, a common ground on which we can connect and celebrate. Therefore, India is also a country of many “syncretisms”. There is so much we have built together, whether it is religious, cultural or artistic tradition. By exploring and engaging with these syncretisms, we may find a harmonious bridge to the other side.
IN SYNC was designed with the purpose of creating a space and opportunity for the people of India to come together and celebrate India’s syncretist heritage as well as engage in a purposeful and respectful interfaith dialogue. I was. This is an attempt to present our mixed art to appreciate diversity and co-creation and use it as a foundation for kind and curious community participation.In the pilot, IN SYNC will be held as a three-day event starting on June 2nd.nd up to 4th, 2023 at St Andrews Center for Philosophy and Performing Arts (SAPP), Bandra, Mumbai. The event will feature visual art exhibits, interfaith dialogue sessions with peacebuilding experts, dance performances, poetry and music recitals, panel discussions, and expert talks. Performances include Sanjukta Wagh’s Kathak and Zia Nath’s Whirling Mandala. Poetry recitals and acoustic performances by “Poets of Peace”, Geet Sagar, Tripurali, Kiran Bhatt and Sukanya Purkayastha. Lectures include “Many Myths, One People: How Synchrism and Pluralism Have Shaped the Story of India” by mythologist Utkarsh Patel. and “Mary in a Sari – Indo-Christian Art of Angelo de Fonseca by Omkar Butkar”. and “Chants of Harmony” by Leslie Nazareth, Mayurie Pandit Melody D’Souza and Romana Shaikh. Facilitators Lea D’Souza and Rukmini Ayer will lead the session on Interfaith Dialogue.
Create and manage forums: Urumi Chanda, journalist, culturalist, interreligious researcher. Chanda has been writing about Indian art, literature and culture for many years, but this is the first time he has used it as a transformative. “Through this forum, I hope to use the healing potential of art and dialogue to create a paradigm of social cohesion. I believe that a beautiful and successful path to interreligious dialogue between Hindus and other minority faith communities is possible through this mixed arts path,” she said. A PhD candidate in the Interfaith Studies Program at Trinity St David, University of Wales, Chanda has spent the last four years developing this unique model of interfaith engagement that fits the Indian context. . She hopes that IN SYNC her model will be replicated in different parts of India and beyond, wherever there are diverse societies and inter-religious conflicts.
Renowned historian, writer and vocal defender of Ganga Jamuni Tehjeeb, Rana SahviAn avid supporter of the forum, he said: The Middle Ages and the early modern period abound with such examples that demonstrate the syncretism of the period. Whether Famous Qawwali: kanhaiya yaad high kuchi bi hamamari Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar, the Persian translation of the Mahabharat and the Ramayana marks an era of engagement and assimilation…creating a space that fosters interfaith dialogue through the medium of art is a wonderful concept. Congratulations to Urumi for founding IN SYNC where we can celebrate our commonalities through painting, music, dance and poetry. This will go a long way in resolving differences and divisions. ”
Carnatic vocalist, author and activist TM Krishna also shares IN SYNC’s vision. He says, “Art can change us. I strongly believe that many intimate conversations are necessary so that we can transcend our own limits and embrace different beliefs and ways of life.In SYNC hopes to create such a platform for thought and art. We are very happy to offer it and hope that they will inspire more people to organize such inspiring exchanges.”
The event was made possible with the support of various organizations such as St Andrews Center for Philosophy and Performing Arts (SAPP) Mumbai and St Andrews Center for Philosophy and Performing Arts (SAPP) Mumbai. GATHER – Impact arm from Seeds of Peace. Jimisha Communications; Pushkraj Sirke Films; Nabodaya Networks; Pir Makdum Saheb Charitable Trust. and WIHUM, the mission of harmony and unity among world religions.
date: June 2-4, 2023
timing: Every day from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
venue: St Andrews Center for Philosophy and Performing Arts (SAPP), Bandra, Mumbai
entry: Admission is free, but registration is required (registration is https://tinyurl.com/3vb7e7ck )
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