The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A forum to showcase the talent of disadvantaged children

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

A forum to showcase the talent of disadvantaged children

Staff Reporter

International Festival of Disadvantaged Youth 2006 being held

PROMISING: A play being staged as part of Social Harmonies — International Festival of Disadvantaged Youth-2006, in Bangalore on Tuesday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore: Three young boys dancing to the tune of "Aashiq Banaaya... " on the stage would generally not be spectacular. But if one of them has lost his leg and is dancing just as well as his counterparts, everyone perks up.

Ananth, a young boy studying computers, from the Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA), was the cynosure of all eyes as he danced his way to glory at "Social Harmonies — International Festival of Disadvantaged Youth 2006." Nervous at times, Ananth kept looking at his partners for direction. But he never missed a beat and by the end of the performance was quite in his elements.

However, a novelty (though fast losing its charm) was having foreigners dance with disadvantaged children from APSA. Together, they put up a long theme show about bullies in school and how they need to be stood up to.

The two-day festival being held at the JSS Auditorium in Jayanagar marked the culmination of two weeks of cultural exchange between Indian and Dutch youth. The programme, which continues into Wednesday, will have a variety of art forms including Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Attakalari and Kannada folk songs. It would also have Dutch youth performing traditional acrobatic stunts, street dance among other performances.

"Lack of opportunity, social dislocation and discrimination are hardships faced by the youth from disadvantaged backgrounds around the world. While the causes and symptoms of this disadvantage are many, there are no easy solutions and contact with others who may share some of the experiences can be a positive exercise for all involved," says a press release from APSA .

At the inauguration, B. Jayashree, film actress and singer, wondered how families survive if child labourers quit their jobs. In the same vein, she added that studying or gaining vocational skills would be better. It remained a "chicken or egg" question, she said.

Arundhati Nag drew loud cheers when she promised the largely student audience a special drama show for them at the upcoming Ranga Shankara event in December.

The cultural programme is a joint effort by three organisations — APSA, Kinderpostzegels of the Netherlands and Navajeevan of Vijayawada.

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