JP\/18\/JNICC<\/p>\n
Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Center treasures tradition<\/p>\n
Joyeeta Dutta Ray,
\nContributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In these days of disasters -- both natural and manmade -- trauma,
\nstress and health problems must be addressed.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, a little help goes a long way. Yoga is a
\n5,000-year-old science, developed, refined and presented by
\nhighly evolved Indian priests to rejuvenate the body, mind and
\nspirit.<\/p>\n
Says Neeraj Goel -- Yoga teacher at the Indian cultural center
\n-- \"The philosophy of Yoga combines both physiological and
\npsychological aspects that help in healing inside out\".
\nSmall wonder that workshops at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indian
\nCultural Center (JNICC) to heal traumatized victims and de-stress
\ncorporate executives through Yoga are so greatly appreciated.<\/p>\n
Promoting cultural awareness<\/p>\n
The JNICC first opened its doors in June 1988 from the
\nchancery under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
\nand moved to its present premises on June 9, 1989. The objective,
\nsays its distinguished cultural director Arup Kumar Dutta, was to
\npromote the values and traditions of Indian heritage while
\nfostering cultural awareness and cross-cultural understanding
\nbetween nations.<\/p>\n
\"The ICCR established cultural centers all over the world, but
\nit is only here in Indonesia that one finds two centers in the
\nsame country -- namely in Jakarta and Bali\", said Kumar Dutta.<\/p>\n
India and Indonesia have for centuries been linked and share
\nmuch in common. \"The dissemination of culture-related information
\nprograms through the JNICC provides a platform for the greater
\nappreciation and understanding of such rich traditions,\" says the
\nICCR.<\/p>\n
The JNICC's in-house activities comprise music and dance
\nrecitals, photographic and painting exhibitions, workshops and
\nlecture demonstrations as well as regular tabla, dance and yoga
\nclasses.<\/p>\n
The classes, conducted by a faculty of highly qualified
\nprofessionals epitomize what Indian arts are all about: exploring
\nthe depths of the divine human spirit.<\/p>\n
The seeds of modern Indian culture were sown as far back as
\nits first civilization on the fringes of the Indus Valley. Take
\nany form of Indian culture -- music, dance, art or craft -- and
\nchances are you will find its roots go back at least a few
\nthousand years.<\/p>\n
It is quite an effort to preserve this treasure-house of
\nknowledge with little change over the years. It takes even more
\neffort to spread this knowledge to other countries to foster
\ngreater understanding and appreciation. In this sense, it is
\ninteresting to note how the JNICC takes tradition forward.<\/p>\n
Yoga, music and dance<\/p>\n
Yoga is a deep well of knowledge. Several styles have been
\ndeveloped over the years. The exploration of the physical-
\nspiritual connection and body-centered practices led to the
\ncreation of Hatha Yoga, the traditional style of yoga that Neeraj
\nGoel specializes in at the JNICC.<\/p>\n
\"Yoga asanas (stretching exercises) supported by controlled
\nbreathing involve the smooth functioning of the organs,<\/p>\n
\"Regular practice makes one active and energetic, preventing
\nand often curing disorders that are both physiological and
\npsychological in nature\", explains Goel, who also holds a degree
\nin science.<\/p>\n
The JNICC conducts sessions to aid relief organizations and
\nother such institutions. The yoga class is well worth attending.
\nIt is often packed with people of all age groups, with several
\nsenior citizens exhibiting surprising agility. The course offers
\nbasic, intermediate and advanced classes. Special counseling and
\nconsultations are also offered to address specific health issues.<\/p>\n
Indian music touches a chord in a variety of distinctive
\nstyles such as North Indian, South Indian, folk and film. In all
\nof these, numerous instruments are used as accompaniments. One
\nsuch is the tabla, a pair of pot-like hand drums, used as a solo
\ninstrument and for accompanying singing, dancing and other
\ninstrumental music.<\/p>\n
Kousik Dutta, a proficient and multifaceted tabla teacher at
\nthe JNICC, explains the uniqueness of his teaching style
\nfollowing the true Indian tradition. \"I teach on a personalized
\nlevel, which is the foundation of imparting knowledge on the
\nlines of ancient Vedic schools. Indian classical music is an art
\nform that has evolved over thousands of years, weaving in depth
\nand complexities that may take a lifetime to master. With such a
\nchallenge, time-constrained classes seldom do justice,\" he
\nexplains.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, in India, the student or shishya surrendered
\nthemselves to the guru, residing in his ashram (shelter) for
\nyears on end to absorb knowledge. In these days of crash courses
\nthat is difficult, but the least Kousik feels he can do is to
\noffer one-on-one attention to each of his students.<\/p>\n
This strong bond helps the students develop to the best of
\ntheir ability. He has a point, judging by his group's stupendous
\nperformances at functions and festivals.<\/p>\n
The student-teacher relationship is considered to be the very
\ncore of traditional Indian teaching methods. In the field of
\ndance, that rule is no exception.<\/p>\n
There are several different schools or gharanas of kathak
\ndance, points out Neerja Srivastav, the newly appointed dance
\nteacher specializing in the graceful kathak style. However, in
\nher case, as in yoga, group training is not difficult. Held for
\nbeginners and the advanced, kathak classes, too, are conducted
\nkeeping time-honored traditions in mind.<\/p>\n
Kathak arose from the fusion of Hindu-Muslim cultures. The
\nword \"kathak\" derives from katha or story. A kathak is hence one
\nwho tells a story. As such, kathak dance combines gestures with
\nexpressive nuances. The varied traditions of this dance have been
\nfurther enriched in recent times by a succession of eminent gurus
\nand artists who have made their mark on the dance form.<\/p>\n
At the JNICC center in Bali, the south Indian classical dance
\nstyle of Bharatnatyam takes precedence. It is the oldest Indian
\nclassical dance form, originating in Tamil Nadu<\/p>\n
The style is loved for its sculpturesque positions and vibrant
\nenergy. The classes here are conducted by Nandini Krishna. Dr.
\nSomvir, a master of Yoga, the Sanskrit language and Vedic
\nliterature, conducts the yoga classes here with much success.<\/p>\n
Cultural interaction<\/p>\n
The JNICC frequently patronizes other cultural events, folk-
\nbased and classical, exhibitions and exchange programs conducted
\nby artists from all over India. These serve to showcase the
\nregional diversity that is characteristic of India.<\/p>\n
Born of this effort was the synergy of the JNICC's kathak
\ndancers with highly talented, physically challenged Indonesian
\nchildren to produce a spectacular cultural event recently under
\nthe guidance of the center's previous kathak teacher, Nandini
\nSinha, sponsored in conjunction with the India Club.<\/p>\n
The JNICC's forthcoming projects include a symposium with the
\nUniversity of Indonesia dwelling on cultural links between India
\nand Indonesia. In February and March, a kathak troupe has been
\ninvited for a performance.<\/p>\n
The JNICC offers scholarships in dance, tabla and yoga to
\nthose who are keen to pursue the subject after completing the
\nadvanced course.<\/p>\n
Kumar Dutta expresses a keen interest to serve the community
\nthrough his center in numerous ways. \"The role of the JNICC is to
\ninteract and cooperate with Indonesian cultural and academic
\ninstitutions, cultural promotions, impresarios, schools and the
\nIndian community to encourage and promote cultural acquaintance.
\nVery soon, the building will undergo a facelift to move a step
\nforward in this direction,\" he says.
\n\"The renovation plans will infuse new life into our center\",
\nagrees Kousik Dutta.<\/p>\n
Although the modest rooms of the center are packed with
\nstudents, a slick new image is an attractive proposition.
\nAlready, 97 percent of the Yoga students belong to nationalities
\nother than Indian.<\/p>\n
In the tabla class, half of the students are women, although
\nin India, the tabla was never popular with the fairer sex, while
\nnearly all the dance students hail from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The nominal tuition fees attract sincere pursuers from
\ndifferent strata of society. It all serves to showcase a fine
\nexample of how culture touches souls, crossing barriers of
\nnationality, language and gender. (Related story on p.20)<\/p>\n
For further information on the JNICC, please contact the center:
\nJawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Center
\nJl. Imam Banjal 32,
\nJakarta Pusat 10310
\nTel: 3155120, Fax: 3846755
\nEmail: jnicc@indosat.net.id<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp18jnicc-1447899208",
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