SOLIDARITY IN CREATIVE APPROACHES

Creativity knows no boundaries; it is a force that unites individuals from diverse backgrounds in pursuit of a shared vision. When this spirit of creativity intertwines with solidarity, the results are often transformative and impactful. Let's delve into the power of solidarity in creative approaches and explore how it shapes our world. Solidarity in the arts is a beacon of hope, a catalyst for change, and a testament to the beauty of collaboration. It embodies a collective commitment to support and uplift one another, transcending barriers of language, culture, and geography. In a world that sometimes feels divided, the solidarity found in artistic endeavours serves as a reminder of our inherent interconnectedness.

Art has a unique ability to communicate complex ideas and emotions in ways that words often cannot. It speaks a universal language that resonates with people across the globe. When artists come together in solidarity, they amplify this language, creating a harmonious symphony of voices that demand to be heard. Collaboration lies at the heart of solidarity in creative approaches. When artists join forces, their individual strengths merge to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Whether it's musicians composing a symphony, dancers choreographing a routine, or visual artists painting a mural, collaboration fosters innovation and pushes the boundaries of what is possible.

Art has the power to inspire, educate, and empower. When artists channel their creative energy towards a common cause, they become agents of change in their communities. From advocating for social justice to raising awareness about environmental issues, solidarity in creative approaches gives a voice to the voiceless and a platform for meaningful dialogue. In a world that thrives on diversity, solidarity in creative approaches celebrates the richness of different perspectives and experiences. It encourages artists to embrace their unique identities and share their stories with the world. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, creativity becomes a dynamic force for driving positive change and promoting understanding among individuals.

This month, we are happy to share the thoughts on our cover story by Ravindra Nath Srivastava (Parichay Das), Vandana Srivastava and Rajni Rao.

PROF. RAVINDRA NATH SRIVASTAVA (Parichay Das)

Prof. Ravindra Nath Srivastava (Parichay Das)

Creative dance is an art form that provides the ability to express both personal and universal qualities. Though it is a perfect medium of non-verbal communication, dance offers students the opportunity to engage in ways distinct from any other field of learning. In a comprehensive and balanced primary school curriculum, dance represents a significant area of human experience that should not be overlooked. Dance supports any subject area. The goal of creative dance is to communicate through movement. The human body becomes a medium of communication . In creative dance, there is an independence to use the technique, way to do things, no routines to learn. The important thing is that the dancer uses internal feelings and justification to make direct and clear statements.

Although increasing skill enhances the ability to communicate, in creative dance, expression precedes technique. Great dancers can express the depth of emotions through movements by merging their art and feelings. However, even great dancers somewhere start as early buds to sprout into master artists. The first step in teaching creative dance to primary school children is to learn what the body can do and how to do it. A thorough understanding of the basic elements of dance enables children to explore, experiment, and use the elements creatively. The second stage is allowing ideas to emerge from movements so that children become aware of the types of ideas suitable for dance. The third stage involves presenting ideas and images as problems or assignments related to the curriculum. Care must be taken. Teachers should avoid rushing through the basics. Children should be familiarized with movement as a distinct and separate area of expression, not just as an interpreter for dramatic action. Children have a tendency to express their ideas dramatically. Creative dance is an art form that offers the ability to express both personal and universal qualities. In creative dance, there is less emphasis on correct or incorrect methods, and there are no routines to memorize. When children learn to work with the elements of art, only then do they develop the capacity to learn the Art form and dance to the rhythm.

A creative approach relates to a holistic view towards education and culture (dance, painting, literature, theater, cinema, etc.), focusing on the learner-artist becoming a part of a professional community that includes dimensions of knowledge, performance, and identity formation. Solidarity or unity is the awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathy that creates a psychological sense of unity among groups or classes. Solidarity does not reject individuals but views individuals as the foundation of society. It refers to the relationships in a society that bind people together. A consolidated approach is related to a holistic view towards education, focusing on the learner being a part of a professional community that includes dimensions of knowledge, performance, and construction. There are four major types of creativity - which we call imagination, investment, improvement, and incubation - applicable at all organizational levels from corporate leadership to department managers to individual employees. Creativity comes in many shapes, forms, colours, fonts, styles, brush strokes, word choices, mediums, and more. A creative spark can come as a flash, from anywhere; or it can be the byproduct of many hours of intense thought. The outcomes of creativity can be like a piece of art in your hands or float through space and time like an idea.

It's easy to think that creativity can't be limited or that only a few lucky people are truly capable of being creative. What if there was a way to limit and define it - and even to enhance it among ourselves. Neuropsychologist Arne Dietrich is famous for working on this, at the American University of Beirut in psychology research. Born in Europe, he spent some years exploring the world to understand the complexity of the human mind more deeply. He also earned a degree in neuroscience from the University of Georgia and continues to explore the complexity of the human mind. Among his most popular works over the past decades, we find an introduction to consciousness and how creativity happens or can be found in the brain. During his research process, he divided creativity into four types:

• Deliberate and cognitive,

• Deliberate and emotional,

• Spontaneous and cognitive,

• Spontaneous and emotional.

What is creativity?

The definition of creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. This seems a bit general, but a more comprehensive definition from California State University says, Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining; oneself and others. It seems that the definition of creativity is as elusive as the creative moments themselves. For our purposes, we turn to the four types of creativity defined in a research paper by neuropsychologist Arne Dietrich. Dietrich placed creativity on a four-square matrix, where the x- axis has cognitive and emotional, and the y-axis is deliberate and spontaneous. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the electric light bulb (better than Joseph Swan's invention) and the telegraph, is a great creative example of a deliberate and cognitive creator. His work involved repeated experimentation, making adjustments according to his work until something eventually worked. This process stayed with him throughout his brilliant career as his work rapidly contributed to the modern world. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the home of this type of creativity. The PFC is one of the three areas of the frontal cortex, located just behind your forehead, and it houses language, memory, reflection, and higher executive brain functions.

More concretely, it allows you to do two things:

• Focus your attention

• Make connections between the information stored in your brain

A key aspect of creativity is having a pool of pre-formed knowledge to combine existing information in new and innovative ways. Achieving this high level of knowledge obviously takes time, so providing plenty of opportunities for research and learning is essential for this type of creative thinker. Then, they should be given ample time to develop creative solutions. For some people, creativity comes from sitting quietly and contemplating their situation. Dietrich calls this type of creativity deliberate and emotional. These types of creative individuals likely have moments where they seem to come up with solutions from the situation. Most people don't see that the idea came not from nowhere but from the time spent in contemplation and asking questions, contrary to the time spent in research and study. This type of creativity comes from the cingulate cortex - a region of the brain that connects our emotions to the PFC. To help people whose creativity falls on this scale, it is important to give them time to think. For example, if you or a relative experienced a bad event, you might reflect on yourself, trying to understand the decisions and events that led to that situation. Naturally, you would use this type of creativity to consider that event, face it, and ultimately move forward and learn from the situation. You can provide them with questions and insights, but you shouldn't expect an immediate solution from them. Instead, present things to them, then let them come back later to share their thoughts.

Spontaneous and cognitive creativity is where dopamine is stored in the brain and works outside of conscious awareness. It is also the part of the brain primarily involved in processing movement-related information. A person who falls into this category is said to need time to do something else, letting their subconscious mind work on the problem. When explaining this type of creative thinking, an example is how Isaac Newton thought about gravity while watching a falling apple. This requires a pre-existing body of knowledge, but the idea is that when a person is engaged in another unrelated activity, their brain allows the problem connections to work out. You may not be able to do this all the time, but whenever you can, you should. Another key to boosting your teams creativity is to provide them with a space where they can collaborate regularly. Like any good sports team, they need to get to know each other and understand how to best work together. Teamwork of this kind requires practice. Even if you don't have a project requiring creative thinking, you should develop exercises or games to help team members work on their minds creative parts regularly. Something brilliant happens when we work together. We learn how to bring out each other's natural abilities, help each other step out of comfort zones, and inspire each other for bigger and bolder ideas and solutions. Establish a routine for continuous creativity. Learning how your people think and how they like to work can be very helpful in achieving greater success and growth.

VANDANA SRIVASTAVA

Vandana Srivastava

As a Bhojpuri artist, I create art that emerges from the folk traditions. I contemporize these forms to bridge the present and the past, crafting new fantasies within Bhojpuri art. I have diligently placed Bhojpuri art on the map of India and the world as a new chapter. Bhojpuri art traditions significantly influence contemporary artworks through folk mediums. Artists create paintings and sculptures based on their surroundings and environments. Bhojpuri art grounds contemporary artists in their past and provides insights for the present moment through the ecology of society.

We can see the influence of traditional art forms in the use of color, shape, and structure in the works of many contemporary artists. By studying and learning from art masters, these artists can create new and innovative works that continue to enrich our world. Traditional art forms such as painting, sculpture, and architecture have long been significant sources of inspiration for contemporary artists. By studying the works of masters, contemporary artists can develop their unique styles and techniques. Many contemporary artists began their careers through apprenticeships with established artists. This allowed them to learn the basics of their craft and develop their personal styles. As they experimented and evolved as artists, they began pushing the boundaries of their art forms, creating new and innovative works that have enriched our world. Bhojpuri art is a form of creative expression practiced for centuries. It reflects the traditions, values, and beliefs of a specific culture and community. Unlike fine art, often created by trained artists and displayed in galleries and museums, Bhojpuri art is made by everyday people and often used to decorate everyday objects or spaces. Bhojpuri art can take many forms, including painting, sculpture, pottery, textiles, and even furniture. It is often characterized by its simplicity and the use of traditional techniques and materials. Bhojpuri artists may use natural dyes to colour their textiles or carve wooden sculptures using traditional tools and methods.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Bhojpuri art is its connection to the culture and history of the Bhojpuri region or community. Bhojpuri artists often draw inspiration from local traditions, folklore, and customs, and their work is often imbued with a sense of community. In this way, Bhojpuri art acts as a link between the past and the present, preserving and celebrating the unique identity of the Bhojpuri people. This does not mean that it only represents the Bhojpuri region's image; it also portrays a global image. Bhojpuri art is sometimes used as a means of storytelling. Many Bhojpuri artists use their creations to express myths, legends, and other stories that are important to their culture. For example, pottery often features designs symbolizing significant spiritual or cultural beliefs, while traditional textiles often depict scenes from local folklore or history. In addition to its cultural significance, Bhojpuri art is also valued for its aesthetic appeal. Many people appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of Bhojpuri art, and it is often collected and displayed in homes and museums worldwide. In recent years, folk art has also been recognized as a legitimate form of artistic expression, with many contemporary artists drawing inspiration from Bhojpuri traditions in their work.

Overall, Bhojpuri art is a vibrant and diverse form of creative expression that reflects cultural, historical, and aesthetic values. Its influence can be seen in many different aspects of our lives, from the objects we use daily to the stories and traditions that shape our identities. Bhojpuri art is a rich and important part of our global artistic heritage and continues to inspire and captivate people from all backgrounds.

By studying and learning Bhojpuri art forms, artists can create entirely new and original works. Contemporary artists continue to be influenced by Bhojpuri art forms. By studying the works of art masters, they can develop their unique styles and techniques. Through their experimentation and innovation, they can push the boundaries of their art forms, creating new and exciting works that enrich our world. Bhojpuri art encompasses many artistic expressions related to tradition, folk culture, and contemporary times. Some of these forms include painting, sculpture, printmaking, mosaic, mural painting, and Kohbar art. Traditional and Bhojpuri art are prominently created using cultural perspectives and ideas. This means different cultures use various materials and processes to showcase their cultural views, expressing their perspectives on religion, beliefs, locality, and new questions of life. Bhojpuri art typically uses specific materials and techniques. Traditional art often uses materials such as paint, pencils, charcoal, clay, plaster, brushes, potter's wheels, palette knives, and others. Historically, they have extracted colors from different flowers, but this has changed recently. Techniques include traditional painting and drawing methods. Painting has been a significant form of art, often showing cultural, religious beliefs and respect. Bhojpuri artists have chosen these materials and techniques because Bhojpuri art has been considered cultural and religious in the past. Using these various materials, art is given more meaning and structure in its form. These materials are also used to show cultural and religious perspectives. Cultural artifacts use traditional materials to showcase their cultural backgrounds because artists use traditional methods to display their traditional art styles. The main themes in Bhojpuri art often relate to rural beliefs and culture. Many subjects present in the art as a means of expression were overlooked at the time.

RAJNI RAO

Rajni Rao

The James-Lange theory of emotion suggests that physical changes in the body happen at the sight of the situation. Emotion changes at the perception of the situation physical changes in the body happen before the experience of the associated emotion. Observation about the significance of words in Kathak and their connection to internal and external bodily changes is insightful. The idea that the sound of words, as they are spoken or sung in Kathak, can travel through the senses and evoke emotional responses aligns with the power of auditory stimuli to influence emotions. In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the integration of performing arts with education stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation. This approach not only enriches the academic experience but also fosters a sense of solidarity among students, educators, and the community. By weaving the performing arts into the fabric of education, we create a dynamic learning environment that promotes holistic development and nurtures essential life skills.

Enhancing Cognitive and Emotional Growth: Performing arts, including music, dance, theater, and storytelling, play a crucial role in enhancing cognitive and emotional growth. Engaging in these artistic activities stimulates brain functions, improves memory, and encourages critical thinking. As already researched and established by the psychologist James and Lange’s theory of Emotions in parity, Learning in pairing all describes duality mode and helps in establishing the result. For instance, learning to play a musical instrument enhances spatial-temporal skills, which are vital for understanding complex subjects like mathematics and science. Similarly, participating in drama and theater helps students develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and social skills by stepping into different characters shoes and exploring diverse perspectives.

Fostering Creativity and Innovation: Integrating performing arts into education fosters a culture of creativity and innovation. It encourages students to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and express themselves in unique ways. This creative freedom is essential in preparing students for future challenges, as it equips them with the ability to adapt, innovate, and solve problems creatively. For example, incorporating dance into a history lesson can help students understand and remember historical events more vividly through expressive movement, making the learning process both engaging and memorable.

Building Solidarity and Teamwork: The performing arts inherently promote teamwork and collaboration, essential skills in both academic and professional settings. Group performances, such as a school play or a music ensemble, require students to work together, communicate effectively, and support one another to achieve a common goal. This collaborative effort fosters a sense of solidarity and belonging, as students learn to appreciate each other's strengths and contributions. Moreover, the shared experience of creating and performing builds lasting bonds and a supportive community within the school.

Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem: Performing arts provide a platform for students to showcase their talents and abilities, boosting their confidence and self esteem. Overcoming the challenges of public performance, whether it's delivering a monologue or playing a solo piece, empowers students to take risks and step out of their comfort zones. This newfound confidence often translates into other areas of their lives, enhancing their overall academic performance and personal growth.

Integrating Arts in Curriculum: To effectively integrate performing arts into the curriculum, educators and policymakers must collaborate to design interdisciplinary programs that align with educational standards. This integration can take various forms, such as incorporating music and dance into physical education, using drama to teach literature, or employing visual arts to enhance scientific concepts. Additionally, partnerships with local arts organizations and professionals can provide valuable resources and expertise to enrich the educational experience.

Teaching Tools:

1. Photography: Photography serves as a powerful teaching tool by allowing students to visually capture and explore subjects. It enhances their observational skills and encourages them to see the world from different perspectives.

2. Poster and Chart Making: Creating posters and charts engages students in hands on learning. This activity helps them organize information visually and creatively, making complex topics more accessible and easier to understand.

3. Project Writing: Writing projects allow students to delve deeply into subjects, developing their research and critical thinking skills. It also encourages creativity in how they present their findings.

These tools collectively enhance the creative aspects of the brain, enabling students to visualize topics in more colourful and imaginative ways. This approach not only fosters quick learning and memorization but also leaves students feeling happy and rejuvenated. Visual methods of learning make the educational process easier and more enjoyable, promoting both creativity and innovation

Conclusion: The integration of performing arts with education represents a powerful synergy of creativity and innovation, fostering cognitive and emotional growth, building solidarity, and preparing students for a dynamic future. By embracing this holistic approach, we not only enhance academic achievement but also nurture well-rounded individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society. As we continue to explore and implement these integrative strategies, we pave the way for a more vibrant, inclusive, and creative educational landscape.

Solidarity in creative approaches is more than just a concept; it is a way of life for many artists around the world. Through collaboration, empowerment, and celebration of diversity, artists come together to shape a better future for all. Let us continue to support and uplift one another in our creative endeavours, knowing that together, we can move mountains and inspire hearts. Let's embrace the solidarity in arts and harness the transformative power of creativity to build a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Remember, in unity, there is strength.

With solidarity in arts, let us continue to paint the canvas of our world with vibrant colors of creativity and collaboration. Together, we can create a masterpiece of unity that will stand the test of time. Art has the power to change lives, unite communities, and inspire generations. Let's harness that power and make a difference, one brushstroke at a time.

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