Joyful learning for children

The Indian Australian Arts & Film Association Inc (IAAFA) recently organised a three-day workshop during the school holidays from 12-14 July, for children between 7-15, at the St. Johns Parks Hall in Mays Hills. The arts and culture workshop’s primary aim was to encourage children in the community to learn and appreciate Indian and Australian music, arts and films and prepare them for a better tomorrow.

The IAAFA with the help of like-minded and resource people from different social organisations, government departments and upcoming artists successfully conducted many arts and cultural activities of interest to the children. The workshop began each day with a Yoga session in the morning. The explaining the functions of the huge rescue truck and different equipment used. At noon, Irish dancer Kristina Pepper taught the children simple steps of an Irish dance, encouraging them to practice solo and in a group. The exercise was one that the children hugely enjoyed. “It’s a lot of fun and we enjoy learning it,” said Krishna Patel, 6, of Pemulwuy. The day ended with much fanfare and watching a movie.

Mr Ali, a sketch artist from Auburn began the workshop on the second day. Children used their creativity and made sketches ranging from simple dolls to much complicated skyscrapers. Mr Butler from Sports and Recreation NSW in Milson Island provided information about outdoor activities run by a cultural connection that made even the smallest dancers, resplendent in traditional dress, proud. I loved it, after all, it is our heritage,” said Poornasri Balamurli, 8, of Wentworthville. The music and dance combination had a positive effect on all who attended the workshop.

“The activities in the workshop were real fun for me. It’s also a place to meet my friends,” said Isra Panwala, 8, of Mt. Druitt, one of the programme’s regular participants since the beginning. “I found the garba dance and safety tips with the fire drill by the fire brigade the most exciting,” she added.

IAAFA Secretary and core group member Mr Jay Hosur said, “We are group of volunteers trying to help working parents in providing cost effective alternatives to school holiday care in Western Sydney. In our workshop kids learn to have fun while understanding about arts and culture.”

Spirit of India, one of the pioneers in teaching yoga helped conduct the session with Sureshji, a wellknown yoga guru who was the guiding force and mentor. The children listened attentively and followed instructions carefully, and were soon completely engrossed in attempting different yoga positions and techniques with the help of their teacher. Through proper guidance and their own perseverance, they accomplished these procedures.

The first day started with fire safety tips and a fire drill with Fire Brigade NSW – Parramatta. Mr Dave Mayer and his team of eight fire brigade personnel taught the students practical procedures, also the centre include kayaking, mountain bikes, archery, bush walking, abseiling and the much-loved camp fire. He organised a few outdoor games which offered glimpses of camp life.

The third and final day was full of fun and entertainment with dance artist Amrik from Bhangra Dance Academy energising the children with steps from the bhangra dance. Mr Dakshinamurthy’s Mud Art was much loved, and the highlight of the day was the garba/dandiya, a traditional folk dance from the state of Gujarat. Volunteers and children wearing traditional dress all joined together not only to learn basic steps, but to play the dance. “It was

Balaji Venkatarangan, President; Jay Hosur, Secretary and Siddique Panwala, Public Officer of IAAFA, with the help of volunteers organised this workshop with great success. 40 children of Indian origin, most residing in western Sydney attended. The IAAFA program taught the children many valuable lessons including keeping healthy with yoga, fire safety tips, playing traditional Indian games, outdoor sports and much more. They were completely absorbed and had a lot of fun trying out the traditional Indian dances. The workshop concluded with words of appreciation for the volunteers and sponsors, and each child who had attended received a certificate. The parents’ involvement in the workshop as volunteers was a very valuable part, because without their time and resources it would have been impossible to make this programme successful.

IAAFA has been formed to promote arts and culture in Australia and India. While one of the functions of IAAFA is to bring musicians and artists from India, another feature of the association is to organise programmes such as music competition for children, and viewing movies. IAAFA has successfully conducted four workshops in the past two years for children, and will continue to bring the best of arts and culture to these young minds.

Siddique Panwala