And in between rigorous exams, tiring classes and monotonous sport activities, most children let themselves go on a page, to a piece of music, or to a piece of canvas. [break]
Art plays a vital role in the development of the child’s psyche, and to mark the International Children’s Right Day on 20 November, a Belgian NGO, L’art En Poche (Art in the Pocket), organized an art show for children by children on the forlorn garden behind Alliance Française last Saturday.
“We didn’t want the children to miss their school, so we decided to celebrate International Children’s Rights Day one day earlier,” says Marie Devalensart, a member of L’art En Poche. She tells us the event is organized without any sponsorship, without any funds. “It’s an individually organized and funded event,” she adds.
L’art En Poche has been active since 2007, conducting various workshops related to children and art.
The most recent one would be the six month long, Bagalima Kala workshop that organized training courses in theater and music.
Thirty teenagers attended this workshop facilitated by professional Nepali artists. L’art En Poche also has plans of starting the Bagalima Kala Creative Center, a center that will help deprived children find artistic talents.
The event was a pleasure to attend for all members of the audience with children from five different organizations performing.
The children of Saathi performed wonders on the tabala, after taking part in L’art en Poche’s eight-month tabala workshop 10 months earlier.
The children from the Elvira Children’s Home awed the audience with their performance with hula-hoops, juggling balls and traditional Nepali dance.
The participants from Children and Youth First (CYF) performed a B-Boying show along with a play on the effect of Nepal bandhs on children.
Various brilliantly performed Nepali dances were put together on the stage by the talented kids from Voice of Children. And the most entertaining performance in various circus acts was performed by the children and youth of Sapana Circus.
“I’m very nervous and a little bit scared, but am also having a lot of fun. The anxiety of performing on stage in front of all these people has a lure of its own,” says Bijay Limbu, an 18-year-old performer from Sapana before the show.
Looking a bit scared, Bijay, along with his friends, went on the stage to perform hilarious comedy routines and entertaining acrobatics.
Apart from shows by children, professional acts were also performed to the sound of giggles and awe.
These shows included a magic show, a break-dance performance by B-Girlz of the Nepal Breakdance Foundation and a musical performance by The Unknown Species, consisting of members from Nava Asha Griha (NAG).
The Unknown Species closed the event with their seven-year-old bass player, Daniel “Figs”.
“This is a wonderful event. I love how there’s no competition. This is one place where children can really let go and enjoy the wonderful event,” says Additya Giri, the band manager for The Unknown Species.
“We initially planned this event as a private event only for the children but seeing how there are so many adults who showed up and how there are independent children who showed up, it’s just motivating to us.
Also the enthusiasm of the children, the effort they have put into their work just feels wonderful to see them having so much fun on the stage,” says Marie. “We hope that this event will be a part of a long chain of other similar events,” she adds.
(To cover the cost of the event, L’art en Poche is organizing a fundraising Bollywood Party on December 3 at 1905.)
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