"Fine" Arts in India

Local schools and churches celebrate their anniversaries in grand style. Programs and plays with music and dancing are the norm. Tonight a local school was celebrating their annual day and invited the open school children to attend. I had no idea what to expect and no expectations either. Once seated and the opening music sung by the younger choir, the play began. The subject: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I don't know why I laughed, the books and movies are known world wide. It was funny for some reason, their interpretation of the story melding their culture and flair for spontaneous bursts of music and modern dance.

Following the play was a fashion show glorifying the diversity of dress found in the different states throughout India. I can't even begin to explain the feast for the eyes it was. There were upwards of 80 different saris on stage in a variety of fashions, colors, embroidery, sequins and metallic threads. It was impossible to choose a favorite but I know I was completely drawn in, mouth open, oohhing and ahhing at each one.

Saturday afternoon the kids took a quick break during study time. They pulled out some card stock and markers and Jessy said they were making Christmas cards to send people. I'm expecting elementary drawings with a little local flair. What they produced was far better than I imagined. Maybe 5 minutes a card, the scenes are classic American Christmas snippets, wreaths, candles, local flowers, holly, all in bright colors simple sketch in pencil and colored with markers and wax crayons. They are obviously home made but of such a quality that it is obvious they were done by someone with training. I told them I would like to purchase some to send out this year. Each girl signs her name and I though I would include a picture and short bio about the home. I told them I would pay for them and they politely declined. When I offered 10 rupees each (25 cents) they almost fell out of their seats. I had to put a limit on how many I would buy or they would be drawing every waking moment. I thought it would be a good way to put a few faces to the stories. I hope you like them.

Today, we had a local school for the handicap come and teach us a version of origami. Let's begin with how not artistic I am. After 3 attempts, he decided I was hopeless and took my scissors away. Of course there was much laughter at my expense but the experience was so typical of home. I'm glad I'm here, but I'm looking forward to being home. I'm sure this week will go fast as it is my last few days here. I can't imagine not coming back, not seeing these faces again and sharing in their lives. In my head I'm already planning a return trip.