Prakruthi School of Arts was conceptualized with a vision and goal to identify and nurture the creative talents of children from the lower strata of the society. These children are deprived of resources and access to the elite arts like classical dances or painting. On this context Prakruthi took initiative to train these talented children who can be real promises to the future. Children from the surrounding slums of Lingarajapuram and Kammanahalli and from the villages of Byrathi, Kothannur, Byleshvali, Chikka Byrathi and Dodda Gubbi areas are attending classes in performing arts (Bharatanatyam - the classical form Indian dance) and creative arts like drawing and painting.
Background
Children from the slums and suburbs of Bangalore are deprived of the
Elite class arts like classical art forms. These art forms were exclusively meant for the upper class / castes who can easily afford to access the facilities. Even if they are talented the classical arts were denied to
them, in turn, they can perform the folk arts which is more of a group performance. So generally, no individual talents are appreciated. To bridge this gap Prakruthi initiated art classes for the children of these areas.
Since we had resource persons and talents we could identify the budding artists and train them in their relevant areas. The students could perform
on various stages and these stages gave them more confidence and
improved their self esteem.
Programmes
Throughout the year Prakruthi students had staged several programmes.
They celebrated National festivals and religious festivals irrespective of
their castes or religions. According to the occasion they choreographed
dances, songs and speeches. Besides that, they observed religious
festivals with the true spirits. These kinds of practices gave the children
exposure to all the religious practices and helped them to understand
cultural differences. On the day of Convocation almost all the students performed on the stage and that experience definitely helped them to
build up their confidence. The performances on the stage and the learning
process of organizing a cultural event itself will help them to face many
occasions in life with more courage and confidence.
The performances included Indian classical dances like Bharathanatyam
(the traditional dance form with systematic rhythms and set music),
The popular filmy numbers, folk dances of different tribes of India and
skits and short plays. There were quite a few singers also in the group
who entertained the audience with their best performances.
Trainings
Regular trainings are going on at the centre in painting and drawing, classical and folk dances other than computer based education. The
students will get trained in pencil sketching, shading, water colouring
and oil painting. Some of the students are excellent in drawing and shading and they come out with beautiful pictures. Mostly the girls get
training in classical dances and folk dances. But at the same time boys
show interests in western dances fast numbers. Anyways, these kinds of
trainings will definitely boost up their confidence and discipline. The
children as well as the youth will imbibe the cultural values of our
tradition, heritage and understand the value systems in a better manner.