Art Culturati extends its gratitude to the teachers out there.
India observes Teacher’s Day on 5th September, marked by the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan- the first Vice-President of India, the second President of India and a connoisseur of education. Artists, no matter the form they practise, owe a lot to their teachers or ‘gurus’. These are not only the traditional teachers who teach them their art but also people from different walks of life who nurtured the idea of discipline, hard work and dedication on them.
As a teacher, an artist needs to adapt themselves to a certain mould that is inspiring, providing a space for learners to grow, but also a stern attitude towards the ways a student absorbs the nuances of the art form.
COVID-19 has forced artists to shed their traditional methods of teaching and adapt to other digital methods because as we all say, “the show must go on.” The mentors at The Hyderabad Children’s Fine Art Gallery has come up with an online platform for kids to showcase their art, a talent that must be allowed to sprout wings. Each day sees thousands of artworks based on themes provided previously. The Online Folk Art Workshop by MeMeraki have had online classes across the world and art-lovers gathered to learn and imbibe this traditional form of art that resides in the heart of India.
Music and Dance teachers have started teaching art through online classes. Furtados and Calcutta School of Music have seen a surge of students joining them for online classes. Teachers at Danceworx Academy of Performing Arts are conducting these classes as a way of staying connected to passionate students. The learners can enrol via video audition and then proceed with the online classes as usual. https://www.shankarmahadevanacademy.com/, Shaimak Davar and other prominent mentors from Bollywood are taking online classes as well as monitoring the student’s progress closely via online classes.
Literature classes have shifted to online platforms too and teachers are engaging with students in a unique manner. Students are happy with these classes as they are interactive and they get to continue learning as they spend their time indoors.
COVID-10 has taught us much and one of them is the ability of artists to adapt to any socio-economic condition and produce quality art. The teachers and mentors are to be thanked for stroking the flames that lay within their heart for dance, poetry, storytelling, music, painting etc. They have supported us all the way and Art Culturati would like to extend their gratitude to all the teachers out there.
BY MRIDULA GUPTA
