JP/18/JNICC

JP/18/JNICC

Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Center treasures tradition

Joyeeta Dutta Ray,
Contributor, Jakarta

In these days of disasters -- both natural and manmade -- trauma,
stress and health problems must be addressed.

Sometimes, a little help goes a long way. Yoga is a
5,000-year-old science, developed, refined and presented by
highly evolved Indian priests to rejuvenate the body, mind and
spirit.

Says Neeraj Goel -- Yoga teacher at the Indian cultural center
-- "The philosophy of Yoga combines both physiological and
psychological aspects that help in healing inside out".
Small wonder that workshops at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indian
Cultural Center (JNICC) to heal traumatized victims and de-stress
corporate executives through Yoga are so greatly appreciated.

Promoting cultural awareness

The JNICC first opened its doors in June 1988 from the
chancery under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
and moved to its present premises on June 9, 1989. The objective,
says its distinguished cultural director Arup Kumar Dutta, was to
promote the values and traditions of Indian heritage while
fostering cultural awareness and cross-cultural understanding
between nations.

"The ICCR established cultural centers all over the world, but
it is only here in Indonesia that one finds two centers in the
same country -- namely in Jakarta and Bali", said Kumar Dutta.

India and Indonesia have for centuries been linked and share
much in common. "The dissemination of culture-related information
programs through the JNICC provides a platform for the greater
appreciation and understanding of such rich traditions," says the
ICCR.

The JNICC's in-house activities comprise music and dance
recitals, photographic and painting exhibitions, workshops and
lecture demonstrations as well as regular tabla, dance and yoga
classes.

The classes, conducted by a faculty of highly qualified
professionals epitomize what Indian arts are all about: exploring
the depths of the divine human spirit.

The seeds of modern Indian culture were sown as far back as
its first civilization on the fringes of the Indus Valley. Take
any form of Indian culture -- music, dance, art or craft -- and
chances are you will find its roots go back at least a few
thousand years.

It is quite an effort to preserve this treasure-house of
knowledge with little change over the years. It takes even more
effort to spread this knowledge to other countries to foster
greater understanding and appreciation. In this sense, it is
interesting to note how the JNICC takes tradition forward.

Yoga, music and dance

Yoga is a deep well of knowledge. Several styles have been
developed over the years. The exploration of the physical-
spiritual connection and body-centered practices led to the
creation of Hatha Yoga, the traditional style of yoga that Neeraj
Goel specializes in at the JNICC.

"Yoga asanas (stretching exercises) supported by controlled
breathing involve the smooth functioning of the organs,

"Regular practice makes one active and energetic, preventing
and often curing disorders that are both physiological and
psychological in nature", explains Goel, who also holds a degree
in science.

The JNICC conducts sessions to aid relief organizations and
other such institutions. The yoga class is well worth attending.
It is often packed with people of all age groups, with several
senior citizens exhibiting surprising agility. The course offers
basic, intermediate and advanced classes. Special counseling and
consultations are also offered to address specific health issues.

Indian music touches a chord in a variety of distinctive
styles such as North Indian, South Indian, folk and film. In all
of these, numerous instruments are used as accompaniments. One
such is the tabla, a pair of pot-like hand drums, used as a solo
instrument and for accompanying singing, dancing and other
instrumental music.

Kousik Dutta, a proficient and multifaceted tabla teacher at
the JNICC, explains the uniqueness of his teaching style
following the true Indian tradition. "I teach on a personalized
level, which is the foundation of imparting knowledge on the
lines of ancient Vedic schools. Indian classical music is an art
form that has evolved over thousands of years, weaving in depth
and complexities that may take a lifetime to master. With such a
challenge, time-constrained classes seldom do justice," he
explains.

Traditionally, in India, the student or shishya surrendered
themselves to the guru, residing in his ashram (shelter) for
years on end to absorb knowledge. In these days of crash courses
that is difficult, but the least Kousik feels he can do is to
offer one-on-one attention to each of his students.

This strong bond helps the students develop to the best of
their ability. He has a point, judging by his group's stupendous
performances at functions and festivals.

The student-teacher relationship is considered to be the very
core of traditional Indian teaching methods. In the field of
dance, that rule is no exception.

There are several different schools or gharanas of kathak
dance, points out Neerja Srivastav, the newly appointed dance
teacher specializing in the graceful kathak style. However, in
her case, as in yoga, group training is not difficult. Held for
beginners and the advanced, kathak classes, too, are conducted
keeping time-honored traditions in mind.

Kathak arose from the fusion of Hindu-Muslim cultures. The
word "kathak" derives from katha or story. A kathak is hence one
who tells a story. As such, kathak dance combines gestures with
expressive nuances. The varied traditions of this dance have been
further enriched in recent times by a succession of eminent gurus
and artists who have made their mark on the dance form.

At the JNICC center in Bali, the south Indian classical dance
style of Bharatnatyam takes precedence. It is the oldest Indian
classical dance form, originating in Tamil Nadu

The style is loved for its sculpturesque positions and vibrant
energy. The classes here are conducted by Nandini Krishna. Dr.
Somvir, a master of Yoga, the Sanskrit language and Vedic
literature, conducts the yoga classes here with much success.

Cultural interaction

The JNICC frequently patronizes other cultural events, folk-
based and classical, exhibitions and exchange programs conducted
by artists from all over India. These serve to showcase the
regional diversity that is characteristic of India.

Born of this effort was the synergy of the JNICC's kathak
dancers with highly talented, physically challenged Indonesian
children to produce a spectacular cultural event recently under
the guidance of the center's previous kathak teacher, Nandini
Sinha, sponsored in conjunction with the India Club.

The JNICC's forthcoming projects include a symposium with the
University of Indonesia dwelling on cultural links between India
and Indonesia. In February and March, a kathak troupe has been
invited for a performance.

The JNICC offers scholarships in dance, tabla and yoga to
those who are keen to pursue the subject after completing the
advanced course.

Kumar Dutta expresses a keen interest to serve the community
through his center in numerous ways. "The role of the JNICC is to
interact and cooperate with Indonesian cultural and academic
institutions, cultural promotions, impresarios, schools and the
Indian community to encourage and promote cultural acquaintance.
Very soon, the building will undergo a facelift to move a step
forward in this direction," he says.
"The renovation plans will infuse new life into our center",
agrees Kousik Dutta.

Although the modest rooms of the center are packed with
students, a slick new image is an attractive proposition.
Already, 97 percent of the Yoga students belong to nationalities
other than Indian.

In the tabla class, half of the students are women, although
in India, the tabla was never popular with the fairer sex, while
nearly all the dance students hail from Indonesia.

The nominal tuition fees attract sincere pursuers from
different strata of society. It all serves to showcase a fine
example of how culture touches souls, crossing barriers of
nationality, language and gender. (Related story on p.20)

For further information on the JNICC, please contact the center:
Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Center
Jl. Imam Banjal 32,
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Tel: 3155120, Fax: 3846755
Email: jnicc@indosat.net.id