The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Yes, it was fun all the way through

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 17, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Yes, it was fun all the way through

Staff Reporter

Over 40 voluntary organisations came together to celebrate Namma Jathre

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Namma Jathre: A participant at the festival at Balbhavan in Bangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: Children and their parents visiting Cubbon Park on a bright and sunny Sunday had a surprise in store for them — a fun festival was on in the open area adjoining Bal Bhavan and the entrance and participation was free.

Over 40 organisations working in the voluntary sector in Bangalore came together to celebrate “Namma Jathre: A festival of freedom” on Saturday and Sunday.

It was a festival that while creating an environment of fun, laughter, song and dance also gave a message of social responsibility and the need to defend human rights.

Various organisations put up cultural programmes that presented messages of Dalit rights, women’s rights and creating spaces for everyone, including those with disabilities and sexual minorities.

One of the highlights of the programme was Gold Books, a worldwide movement promoting free exchange of books, where everyone gives away the books they have once read and keep passing them on.

“The idea was to inculcate the habit of reading in as many people as possible,” said K. Jayaraman, who initiated the movement.

While members of Sangama, the organisation working with sexual minorities, presented an entertaining dance — Bollywood style no less — young girls from the Bhooshakthi Dalit Women Cultural team gave a vibrant performance which included karagatta, kolatta and street theatre which among other things spoke about the negative affects of television on children.

Kilkili, a parents’ organisation promoting inclusion of children with disabilities, organised a painting competition of children on the topic of inclusive education.

“It is like a community programme where every organisation pooled in its resources and efforts and put up a fun-filled show. There is no corporate sponsorship, no entrance fees and anyone can take the stage and participate.

“That is why it is called the festival of freedom,” said Anita Cheria of Open Space.

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