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· All forms of
creativity are directly linked to
spirituality.
· The art forms and cultural traditions of
any community, organisation or country are a
natural and direct reflection of its
spiritual and moral values.
· Art and culture can uplift and inspire, as
well as passively reflect society.
· Promotion of the spiritual empowerment of
artists and performers is a necessary
ingredient in building a world of beauty and
harmony.
Art and culture
are the mirror of a nation's character. The
collective spirit or soul of a country, as
well as its underlying values, are reflected
in its living traditions of food and dress,
in its celebrations, festivals and forms of
art and entertainment. India is blessed with
an ancient and beautiful culture-classical
dance, music, and fine art which reflect
divine and noble origins. Today however, the
fad of 'art for art's sake' has more popular
appeal than the self- luminous masterpieces
of traditional art and culture. As a
consequence of global travel, international
media and a widespread liberalisation of
attitudes, modern cultures are negatively
impacting our tried and true values. The
hybrid culture that is emerging has neither
roots, nor distinguishing features, nor
cultural norms which give people a sense of
belonging, continuity and heritage.
Creativity and spirituality are inextricably
linked. Art is a creation of the human mind
and when the mind of an artist is polluted
by lust, anger, greed and ego, his or her
art reflects this ugliness. Art, which
reflects culture, then portrays vulgarity,
obscenity and violence and promotes
sensuality and promiscuity. Many artists
today are ignorant of, and therefore devoid
of, spirituality. This is why so many
artists have become addicts-disturbed,
unhappy and lacking in self-control.
Spiritual empowerment can restore art and
culture to their original priceless value
and beauty so that once again they become
instruments for uplift-ment and inspiration.
A spiritually empowered culture will be a
culture based on spiritual and moral values
and on traditions that promote happiness,
harmony, and unity. The arts of such a
culture will reflect only joy, truth, peace,
love and beauty.
Music, songs, paintings, dance and drama
have been used as a medium to communicate
spiritual knowledge and have been featured
in the activities and events of the Brahma
Kumaris since the Institution's earliest
days The deepest spiritual truths touch the
heart easily through such means, which is
why art in its many forms is a very positive
and powerful vehicle for encouraging
personal and social transformation. Songs
especially attract one's heart and convey
deep, subtle feelings through a minimum of
words.
The Art and Culture Wing was established in
1996. In the few short years between then
and now, over 2,000 artists and performers
have benefited from the Wing's training
programmes, and have conquered unhealthy
habits and diverted their art from 'art for
art's sake' to 'art for the benefit of
society'. One such example is television
producer, director and actress Prabha Mishra,
a highly valued Wing member whose TV serials
are committed to enhancing human awareness
of the importance of moral and spiritual
values. Recently she has 'picturised' over
50 of the Institution's songs, which are
being shown as part of the ETC channel's
daily morning telecast of BK lectures in
Mumbai.
The Art & Culture Wing aims to inspire
artists to become instruments in creating an
entirely new horizon of art and culture,
that of value-based art. For this,
preparation of the minds of artists is also
necessary. The Wing therefore conducts
trainings, seminars, and Rajyoga meditation
camps for all types of artists, from dancers
to dramatists, poets to painters, sculptors
to singers. In order to promote the concept
of value-based art and culture, the Wing
organises exhibitions, musical / social
get-togethers, and poetry readings and
stages a variety of artistic and cultural
performances as well as workshops at the
Vishwa Vidyalaya's events. It invites
artists from all over the world to come
forward and join in the great task of
spiritually empowering art and culture. For
example, in 1999, renowned flute player,
Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia attended the
September international retreat in Mt. Abu.
Not only was he delighted by his visit, but
he also delighted the retreat participants
with his music |
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The Wing's
members participated in and conducted
numerous activities in 1999.
At the International Conference on Spiritual
Wisdom for Changing Times held in Mt. Abu in
February, the Wing conducted a workshop on
The Need of Cultural Renovation in the 21st
Century. Three Value-based Educational
Artist Seminars were conducted in April, May
and June in which many eminent artists
participated and took keen interest in the
concept of value-based art. Also in April a
seminar-cum-workshop was organised by Wing
members in Surat in which 175 artists,
members of the Artists Association of Surat,
participated, among them well-known
dramatist, Br. Jyotibhai.
Wing members participated in the 10th
anniversary celebrations of the Anand Art
Academy in Anand, Gujarat. Nearly 200
members attended the Wing's annual meeting
in Shantivan, Abu Road from 30th December
1999 to 3rd January 2000. Students of the BK
Girls Hostel in Indore (Divya Jiwan Kanya
Chhatrawas) are trained under Wing member BK
Sister Karuna to produce value-based dances,
songs and dramas. The students are
frequently invited to perform at the
Vidyalaya's major programmes. |
