Bengaluru: Art in its purest form brings out one's deepest emotions. It becomes a medium that carries their voices forward in more than just words.
Recently, more than a hundred artistes gathered together to protest against the violence in the town of Darjeeling due to the Gorkhaland unrest. Called ‘Fight with Art’, it was these artistes' own way to support the cause for their fellow Gorkhas suffering back home.
About a month earlier, artistes from all over the city came together to protest against the felling of ninety two old trees at the Government Veterinary Hospital at Queens Road. Performing arts is becoming increasingly popular amongst young Bengalureans as a choice of weapon to fight for what they believe in.
Performing arts as a form of social protest has existed for many years, but it being the first choice amongst the younger folk shows that we are heading in the right direction, says popular Bengaluru based artist S.G. Vasudev.
“It is heartwarming that the younger generation is picking up the likes of poetry and art to speak up about things they feel needs to be improved. Art is visual and reaches much more people than it intends to,” he said.
Citing the example of Pablo Picasso's Guernica, a painting he created in an attic in Paris to depict the atrocities of World War II, he said, “It is very much relevant, even after almost 80 years of its creation. The thought is understood much better through art.”
Twenty-three-year-old Regina Gurung, who was one of the three organisers for 'Fight with Art' believes that it is the newest form of non-violence to this generation. It stems from the belief that loud rallies are hardly remembered.
“We have successfully rallied a thousand times, but what is the outcome? This form of protest brings with it creation. We are left behind with something to showcase the movement,” she said.
In the era of smart phones, art is a great way to keep the momentum going, she added.
“Especially on digital media, something like this keeps being shared. It helps motivate the youth to fight on.”
Using poetry to allay myths about metal illness
Bengaluru's poets are also using their creativity to speak about mental health. Twelve poets gathered at Atta Galatta on Wednesday and spoke about the ignorance and myths surrounding mental health through poetry and prose. Called ‘Nobody Reads the Fine Print’, it was organised in collaboration with Open Sky Slam and Hann Nun Institute, a not-for-profit organisation that works for the cause of mental health. “It is non-threatening. It is interactive. And since it is something that has a certain stigma attached, art makes it easier to talk about. It doesn’t pose a direct question, it gives you a very non judgemental space to let your voice be heard,” said Shama from the Hank Nunn
