Newsletter: August 2023
Hello! We are back with exciting happenings and news from Haryana Council. It is going to be a rollercoaster of a ride, so hang on!
COUNCIL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Sriparna Das Chakraborty
Har Dil Mein Samvidhan: a Celebration of 75 years of our Indian Constitution
As an Indian crafts artisan, the 75th Republic Day holds deep significance for me. I was thrilled to be selected for the ‘Har Dil Mein Samvidhan’ campaign by Hand For Handmade, which aims to celebrate the Constitution of India and honour our rich
artisanal heritage. The campaign’s unique concept, bringing together 75 talented artisans to glorify the values of Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, moved me deeply. Without any hesitation, I gladly confirmed my participation. As a State Artisan proficient in the art of Crochet, I knew that my artwork could convey the spirit of this occasion beautifully. Inspired by my love for elephants, I chose them as my artistic emblem. The elephant’s significance in the preamble is multifaceted. In Indian culture, it represents strength and power, symbolized in royal processions and wars by Indian rulers. It is revered as the living incarnation of Ganesha, embodying wisdom and good fortune.
In my crochet portrait, I present a royal dual-tone majestic elephant, symbolizing
inclusivity, equality, and empowerment through the amalgamation of a female and male elephant. In the artwork, the black and grey half symbolizes the male part, while the light and dark brown half represents the female part. Together, they form a complete and harmonious entity, embodying power, wisdom, resilience, cooperation, and beauty. This artistic representation celebrates the unity and balance between masculine and feminine qualities, highlighting the strength that arises when they work together in harmony.
I am honoured to contribute to the ‘Har Dil Main Samvidhan’ campaign, showcasing
the rich heritage of Indian artisans and paying tribute to our Constitution's values.
As we celebrate the 75th Republic Day, let our art and unity exemplify the essence
of our great nation.
Dolly Singh
Delhi Poetry Festival Junior Season 1 kicked off with much enthusiasm and gusto. Seeing young ones with fresh faces and twinkling, curious eyes made us forget all the hard work and pains we had put in to build the two-day festival.
It is vital that children are introduced to activities such as poetry, art, doodling, dance, dramatics, etc. not only because we want them to learn these skills but also because crafting and creating art makes a child happy and destressed. Their mental health as well as happiness index experience an elevation. Seldom do we realize that classroom stress leaves children mentally fatigued which affects their coping mechanisms and mental health. None of this would have been possible without the unflinching support and hard work of my dear friend, and our collaborator, the founder of Young Dragons' Literary Hub, Sumit Sehgal. Our keynote speaker, Jeroninio Almeida (Jerry) motivated the kids and their parents with his words. Rajni Sardana, Komal Sharma Gupta, Neeti Chawla Parti Sujata Parashar, Saba Bashir, and Mohommed Ali Shah for judging the various contests. We extend our gratitude to Kunzum Books for hosting us and looking after us so well; and to Kunzum founder, Ajay Jain an author himself, for giving an inspirational talk to the kids. DPF Junior is an innovative stage for children’s creative and literary activities.
HARYANA KNOWLEDGE REPOSITORY
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
A freedom fighter, actor, social activist, art enthusiast, politician and feminist rolled into one, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay left a massive mark on Indian culture.
An interesting fact that many are unaware of is the role Kamaladevi played in giving birth to the present-day Faridabad. As the founding leader of the Indian Cooperative Union (ICU), she took upon the job to resettle nearly 50,000 Pathans from the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in the wake of the post-Partition migrations. Apart from her contribution to handicrafts, she also set up the Indian National Theatre (INT) in 1944, what we today know as the National School of Drama. It was a movement to recognize and celebrate indigenous modes of performance like dance, folklore, and mushairas and help the freedom struggle. A true visionary, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay envisioned a society where creativity, tradition, and progress coexisted harmoniously. Her life’s work continues to inspire generations, reminding us that cultural preservation, gender equality, and social reform are interconnected facets of a vibrant and progressive nation. In commemorating Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Haryana Arts Council pays homage to a trailblazer whose legacy resonates in our ongoing pursuit of a just, equitable, and culturally enriched society.
Here is a tribute to the great personality by Council member Rajni Sardana, a gifted writer, poet, and exponent of the Hindi language.
"कमलादेवी चट्टोंपध्याय"
ना तीर से ना तलवार से ना किसी हथियार से
अपने आत्मविश्वास से अपनी बुलंद आवाज़ से
जिसने अपने ज़ज्बे से लिखा भारत भूमि पर अपना अध्याय
भारतीय शिल्प की मशाल वाहक साहसी महिला
‘कमलादेवी चट्टोंपध्याय’
भूल ना जाना देखो तुम उनकी ये कुर्बानी...
देश सेवा में कदम बढ़ाये वो थी सच्ची हिंदुस्तानी…
बहुमुखी प्रतिभाओं की स्वामिनी, मुखर, ज्ञानी, बुद्धि की धनी,
समाजसुधारक,लेखिका और थी वो नारीवादी,
राजनीतिज्ञ, अभिनेत्री और सच्ची स्वतंत्रता सेनानी,
कर दिखाया वो सब जो थीं मन ने ठानी,
भूल ना जाना देखो तुम उनकी ये कुर्बानी...
देश सेवा में कदम बढ़ाये वो थी सच्ची हिंदुस्तानी...
कलाप्रेमी कमलादेवी जी ने विविध क्षेत्रों में योगदान दिया,
आज़ादी के बाद हस्तशिल्प का पुनरुद्धार किया,
हस्तशिल्प की महान समर्थक,प्रदर्शनकला की वो प्रवर्तक,
भारतीय महिलाओं की बनी प्रेरक शक्ति वो ,
भारत देश को समर्पित भारत की बेटी वो,
भूल ना जाना देखो तुम उनकी ये कुर्बानी...
देश सेवा में कदम बढ़ाये वो थी सच्ची हिंदुस्तानी...
ऋणी रहेगा भारत देश सदा ऐसी बेटी का,
जिसने राजनैतिक, सामाजिक,सांस्कृतिक हर क्षेत्र का नेतृत्व किया,
विधवा विवाह के रूढ़िवादी नियमों को प्रथम जिसने तोड़ा,
जिसने अपनी सूझ-बूझ से महिलाओं को संग जोड़ा,
भूल ना… देश सेवा में…
विधायी सीट का चुनाव लड़ने वाली पहली महिला रही,
अखिल भारतीय महिला सम्मलेन की पहली सचिव बनी,
नमक सत्याग्रह आंदोलन में भाग लेने वाली पहली महिला रही,
देश की खातिर जेल जाने वाली पहली वो महिला थी,
जूनून,समर्पणऔर साहस की स्वामिनी थीं,
कोई अग्रदूत नहीं जिसका ऐसी उनकी जिंदगानी रही,
भूल ना जाना… देश सेवा को…
अपने मिशन और दृष्टिकोण से सबको एक साथ लाई,
सभी क्षेत्रों में जिसने महिलाओं की पहचान बनाई,
समानता के लिये अपनी बुलंद आवाज़ जिसने उठाई,
लैंगिक समानता लाने को समान नागरिक सहिंता की मुहिम चलाई,
बाल विवाह पर रोक और महिला शिक्षा पर जोर दिया,
महिलायें स्वैच्छिक कार्यकर्त्ता बने सो उन्हें प्रशिक्षित किया,
भूल ना जाना… देश सेवा में...
महिलाओं हो सशक्त उन्होंने बेजोड़ कोशिश की,
बर्लिन में महिलाओं के अंतर्राष्ट्रीय गठबंधन में भागीदारी ली,
अंतर्राष्ट्रीय समाजवादी, नारीवादी आंदोलन में प्रमुख योगदान दिया,
उन्होंने नारी जीवन को एक नया मोड़ दिया,
भूल ना जाना... देश सेवा में।
* राष्ट्रपति आर. वेंकटरमन जी -- “कमलादेवी के नाम के आगे दिवंगत शब्द लगाना कठिन है क्योंकि "उनकी उपस्तिथि हमेशा स्पष्ट थी और रहेगी।”
कमलादेवी चट्टोपाध्याय पर पुस्तकें
भारतीय महिलाओं की जागृति, एवरीमैन प्रेस, 1939
जापान-इसकी कमजोरी और ताकत, पद्मा प्रकाशन 1943
अंकल सैम का साम्राज्य, पद्मा प्रकाशन लिमिटेड, 1944
युद्धग्रस्त चीन में, पद्मा प्रकाशन, 1944
एक राष्ट्रीय रंगमंच की ओर, (अखिल भारतीय महिला सम्मेलन, सांस्कृतिक अनुभाग। सांस्कृतिक पुस्तकें), औंध पब। ट्रस्ट, 1945.
HERITAGE OF HARYANA
Come along and discover Haryana with us. In this new section, we will be showcasing the heritage of Haryana through curated collections. Here is an Instagram series on Haryana by ‘Sikkawala’. Video credits: Shah Umair.
THE ART CORNER
This month, we introduced a new exciting series called the Art Corner. Read more:
The Art Corner: Vasudha Arora & Vandana Bhasin
THE ART CORNER Introducing the Art Corner: a Canvas of Creativity! 🖼️ Hello, art aficionados! Prepare to be captivated as we unveil a captivating new addition to our community – the Art Corner! 🌟 This exquisite space is dedicated to showcasing the mesmerizing works of talented artists like you. From vivid paintings to intricate sculptures, the Art Corner…
SelfSocially by RUCHIKA VERMA
Thriving in times of social media marketing. Council member Ruchika Verma, a successful digital marketing expert and Instagram coach, is back with her monthly column.
What’s New on Instagram in 2023: New Features and Updates
Instagram in 2023 has introduced several exciting features and updates that are beneficial for businesses, creative individuals, and personal branding.
Scheduled posts within the app: One of the most anticipated updates is the ability to schedule posts directly within the Instagram app. This feature streamlines content management by allowing users to set specific publication dates for their posts. This convenience simplifies content planning and ensures posts go live at optimal times, catering to global audiences.
Multiple links in bio: Instagram has eliminated the need for third-party link-in-bio services like Linktree. Users can now include multiple links directly in their bios. This is a game-changer for businesses and content creators who want to drive traffic to various web destinations such as websites, online stores, and affiliate links.
Ad-free and customizable feeds: Instagram now empowers users with greater control over their feeds. You can choose to have an ad-free experience and eliminate suggested posts. This puts the user in charge, allowing them to tailor their feed to their preferences. Users can also switch between different feed types, like 'Following' or 'Favorites,' to curate content based on their interests.
Collaborative posts: Collaborations have become more seamless on Instagram. You can now involve up to three collaborators in a single post or reel. This feature fosters partnerships and creativity, enabling influencers, brands, and content creators to work together more effectively.
Broadcast channels: Exclusive content is a driving force on Instagram. The introduction of broadcast channels, primarily for creators, enhances the sense of community and connection. Creators can engage with their audience through exclusive content and updates, providing a more immersive experience for their followers.
In conclusion, Instagram's updates in 2023 cater to the diverse needs of its user base. These enhancements empower businesses, creators, and individuals to make the most of their Instagram presence. Whether it's scheduling posts, sharing multiple links, customizing feeds, collaborating with others, or offering exclusive content through broadcast channels, it ensures users stay engaged and connected in a digital landscape that is ever-evolving.
UNVEILING SOON!
WICCI Talks Logo and Upcoming Talks! The essence of WICCI Talks – where intellect meets exchange – will now have a visual identity that mirrors its purpose. We’re also excited to announce a series of upcoming talks that delve into diverse realms of knowledge. Our carefully curated speakers will share their experiences, sparking conversations that matter. Stay tuned for the official logo reveal and our forthcoming talks that are poised to stir contemplation and broaden horizons!
—WICCI Talks Organizing Committee
As we come to the end of this newsletter, here is a parting note to make the weeks ahead happy and productive!
An empowering TED Talk. Watch and let us know what you thought of it.
That’s all from us this time. Thank you for reading this edition of the Newsletter! Until next month…
Komal Gupta, Content Curator
Rajni Sardana, Hindi Content Curator
Neetu Ralhan, Editor
Sonika Tyagi, Video Editor
Get in touch with us: haryana.arts.council@gmail.com