Newsletter: September 2022
Monthly newsletter of the WICCI Haryana Arts Council
Hello everyone and a warm welcome to all!
Thank you for subscribing to the Haryana Arts Council bilingual newsletter. The aim of starting this newsletter is to build up a repository of knowledge of the arts and culture of Haryana that would be available as a resource for everyone. It will be an amalgamation of news and resources about arts and culture, council events and updates and much more. We look forward to your suggestions, ideas and anything you would like to share for the purpose of knowledge sharing and learning. This will be an evolving project as we go along, and we are delighted to have you in this journey with us. Please spread the word – as they say, sharing is caring!
From all of us at the Haryana Arts Council, Happy Reading!
Komal Gupta
President, Haryana Arts Council
In this issue:
Council Activities
Council Member Growth Stories
A Salutation to the Nation: the Crochet National Flag, by Council Member Sriparna Das Chakraborty
म्हारी संस्कृति म्हारे गाँव, a Poem for Haryana by Council Member Rajni Sardana
Folktales from Haryana
Interesting Trivia on Haryana
The World Around Us
Council Activities: Meet-ups that Energise!
Our first offline meet-up
It was an incredible day! The Haryana Arts Leadership Council had its first offline meet in Gurgaon on 17 June 2022. So delighted at the enthusiasm, the brimming over of ideas to execute, and the spirit to move forward one step a time to achieve what we set out for.
Looking forward to making this a regular feature in the coming months – a powerful reminder of how to step up and empower one another with the spirit of engagement and connection.
Second meet-up
As Simon Sinek has said, life is beautiful because of the people we meet, and so we met again!
Another interactive meet-up with Haryana Council members took place at the beautiful abode of Council Member Dolly Singh, founder of Delhi Poetry Festival, on the 16th of August. Ideation, execution, implementation and catching up, all done in a collaborative and fun atmosphere.
Council Member Growth Stories
Karyashala Foundation: 5th Anniversary Celebrations
On 6 August 2022, Karyashala Foundation, headed by Swati Jain, celebrated its 5th Anniversary with 40 accomplished women entrepreneurs in attendance. The event, held at the Bristol Hotel in Gurgaon, facilitated the winners of 2021–22, followed by lunch, networking and a host of fun activities.
The event was photographed by Council Member Gagan Brar.
Gunjan Babbar’s home decor brand, Shabari, gets a physical address
Gunjan Babbar, founder of Shabari, recently launched her first offline studio at Nirvana Courtyard in Sector 50, Gurgaon. “The store offers an eclectic collection of home decor, festive gifts and curios for your home interiors. An affordable range of premium products that can be customised to your taste and needs. Let’s meet and create magic!” says Gunjan.
A Salutation to the Nation: the Crochet National Flag
This Independence Day, I did something I’m proud of. I made a crochet National Flag. The idea came to my mind when I registered for the online campaign ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’. I received a digital certificate of participation. But when it came to hoisting a real flag in my balcony, I wondered if it was a good idea to buy one from the market. One thought endlessly pricked my mind: what’s the point of my working so hard as a crochet artist if I can’t weave a flag for my country? With just seven days left to 13 August (the day the campaign was supposed to begin), I quickly finalised the crochet design and size measurements.
As I started crocheting the flag, it felt more and more like saying a prayer. Every day, my daughter, Aamani, and I would finish our set target come what may, to make sure the flag was ready before 13 August. Much to our joy, we were able to complete it by the 11th, and we were happy with the outcome.
When we hoisted the flag in our new home, it was truly a proud moment for us. Everyone appreciated the effort as well as the creation. A beautiful mission accomplished.
Vande Mataram!
Sriparna Das Chakraborty, Founder Aamani’s Crochet
A Poem for Haryana
म्हारी संस्कृति म्हारे गाँव
ग्राम म्हारा सोना,
पहरे हम घाघरा, चोली, ओढ़ना|
चुन्दड म्हारी सर का ताज,
सरके ना जब करे हम
काम-काज|
सादा जीवन,सादे विचार,
मिल जुल कर रहते सारे
परिवार|
दुख सुख के हम साथी हैं,
अलग ना कोई जाति है|
स्वच्छ हवा, हरियाली खूब,
दिन भर करते हम दौड़-धूप|
साँझा चूल्हा, सांझी रोटी,
खूब खाते, होते ना मोटी|
मिल कर गीत गाते हैं,
सारी खुशियाँ मनाते हैं|
सुघड़ तन, सुघड़ मन,
मेहनत का दीखे रंग|
घूंघट आज भी बरकरार है
चाहे घर, चाहे बाहर है|
बड़ों की रीत हमने निभाई,
नई-नवेली दुल्हन को भी ओढ़नी पहराई|
चमक-धमक, शो-शा बाजी से हम दूर हैं,
दिखावे करने की खातिर
हम न मजबूर हैं|
सीधी-सच्ची भाषा, सीधी बात हमारी,
हमें तो लागे भाई म्हारे ग्राम की मिट्टी ही प्यारी|
Thought you would enjoy some folktales from Haryana. Read on!
Interesting Trivia on Haryana
Poets and writers from Haryana
Want to know more about Haryana? Here are a few links to pique your interest:
The World Around Us
As the world turns on its axis, a lot has changed in the last few years of the pandemic.
Meet the Do-Nothing Guy! This video is sure to get you pondering.
Let us know what you think in the comments.
A parting thought
Sometimes just being yourself is the radical act. When you occupy space in systems that weren't built for you, your authenticity is activism.
— Elaine Welteroth, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)
Here’s celebrating the spirit of being true to our selves no matter what roles we have to play in life.
Thank you for reading! Until next month!
Newsletter edited by Council Member Neetu Ralhan.
