LETTER EXCHANGES within
THE JUNOON GURUKUL
Read what we write to and receive from our girls.
September 17th, 2022 - Radha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
My experience with these sessions so far have made me very hardworking, knowledgeable and interesting.
My takeaways:
• Getting to know the beauty of Bharata Natyam and Indian Classical Dance.
• Art Appreciation, Literature, the different instruments: Sarod, Sitar, Flute, Table, etc.
• Abhinaya and Nritta
• Physical Strength
• Surya Namaskara
• Ragas
It’s been very lovely.
Enjoying the sessions.
- Radha
September 17th, 2022 - Harshitha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
Your performance was really beautiful.
I want to be in a position where I could deliver such a performance.
For that, I need consistent practice. I’m going to add the stretches that we have been doing and the Suryananamaskara to my morning routine after or before my workout.
I will also continue to gain knowledge about Classical Music and Dance by reading and watching performances.
Thank you!
- Harshitha
September 17th, 2022 - Pranjal
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
Hi, I’m Pranjal.
I really love your classes. I really like how you push our thinking and tell us about different Classical Dances. I used to love Bharata Natyam but didn’t get the chance to learn.
My takeaway from these sessions would be that I got to know the impact of Classical Dance as well as the music used in it.
I used to do Yoga but being in the 10th grade, our schedule is packed. So, I wasn’t able to give time to physical exercise.
Coming here was my dream and I got to learn a new way to do Suryanamaskaras.
Some of the things I learnt in these sessions would be the importance of dance and how we express with it – as a medium of storytelling. The postures and exercises you taught were really helpful.
Something I appreciate is the hard work you put into every class to make sure we are doing it right and I am really thankful to you for that.
I promise I will try my best to practice these exercises and postures for a minimum of 10 minutes every morning.
I am really thankful for these lovely sessions you take!
Kind regards,
- Pranjal.
September 17th, 2022 - Tanvi
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
From now on, I will try to make a routine for practice.
My takeaway for today was ‘Dance is a form of literature, in which we convey stories through expressions, thus dance is also a form of communication.’
I have decided that I will try and practice on alternative days with other Junoon members from my dorm.
Today, while watching you dancing, you reminded me of my old Bharata Natyam teacher. I look forward to learn more from you.
Thanks.
- Tanvi
September 17th, 2022 - Akshata
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
Firstly, thank you very much for coming here and teaching us. I personally think that this will help me mend my mental health. I have listened to instruments in the past, while studying, but for the first time I am listening to them, searching for a purpose.
Paying attention to each and every stroke, taal, beat and all the things that I observe but can’t put into words.
This exercise helps me in calming myself down. But there are also times when this activity provokes emotions in me that I have been suppressing for long. It is rare but I have noticed this. I imagine the song in my head and then all the connecting thoughts roaming there, just tune in with the music and burst balloons of emotion. I like the feeling. A lot.
From today, my friend and I are going to start practicing from 7.30pm to 8.00pm, before dinner. Every day. I promise. We will update you with how it goes. I also promise a good research of 30 minutes on Ragas and instruments today.
Thank you very much for everything once again and I am excited to learn more from you.
One more thing…I really liked your performance! I am looking forward to being able to twist my body into such beautiful postures. You are a really good dancer.
Thank you!
- Akshata
September 17th, 2022 - Pranita
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
This is Pranita. I’m happy that I am here to learn all that I wanted to learn always.
I will have time after dinner to practice and join all my teammates in practicing.
Thank you for being here for me and helping me chase my dreams.
Thank you for increasing my knowledge of Dance with all you’ve said.
Thank you.
- Pranita
September 17th, 2022 - Khushi Choudhary
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Miss Mythili,
The dance you performed now just made me so emotional and I just went a year back in my dance memories. The beat of your banging feet encouraged me to dance, my hand mudras and postures just started flying. Thank you so much for that wonderful performance.
You really encouraged me to do my practice better. I will surely make sure to practice all Adavus and go through the notes every day. Thank you.
You just remind me of my Guru.
- Khushi Choudhary
September 17th, 2022 - Preksha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
To Ms. Mythili,
My takeaway is how to keep our body in posture and how to move our body in line with every beat. We are going to practice in the hostel by looking at your Suryanamaskara video and the steps and we are going to do it for at least half an hour. We plan to practice every alternate day.
Thank you.
From,
Preksha
September 17th, 2022 - Arya Pawar
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
To Ms. Mythili,
My takeaway until now is improving my body posture.
The start of the class with a Raga always helps to start with a clear mind.
New learning in every class makes it interesting.
Your words give motivation to practice further.
I want to keep a continued practice. And look forward to learning more things.
Your demo just brightened my eyes and made me more motivated to learn further.
Love from,
Arya Pawar
September 17th, 2022 - Priyanshi S
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Ms. Mythili,
Hello! My key takeaway from today’s session is that I need to take responsibility for my learning. Therefore, my approach to practice involves a lot of researching and practice sessions.
Approach to practice:
1. Revise the key terms and concepts learned in class on alternate days.
2. Read articles and watch videos for a better understanding.
3. Practice the steps for Ballet and Bharata Natyam of every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
4. Do Suryanamaskaras every day with Chatushram and without Chatushram – 8 counts and 4 counts.
It was a wonderful session, Ms. Mythili! Thank you so much.
- Priyanshi S
September 17th, 2022 - Yogini
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
I am very happy that I’m improving and getting to learn more. I really enjoyed the session and I will also make sure I practice all the stretches and become better and better. I will also try to participate in the classroom conversations and discussions we have. I will keep practicing the stretches and postures and I will also do research from 9.00pm to 9.30pm every night.
Thank you.
- Yogini
September 17th, 2022 - Neha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Respected Ms. Mythili,
Firstly, I apologize for not responding to your letter earlier.
My key takeaways are:
Dance is a form of storytelling which involves facial expressions and body movements to convey the story which makes it a form of communication.
Abhinaya is drama, emotions, expressions and storytelling.
Nritta – pure dance.
Approach to practice:
I would do whatever we have learnt until now every day after dinner, or rather before sleeping.
Thank you for all your wonderful sessions.
It has really helped me and I’ll try to be consistent at it.
- Neha
September 17th, 2022 - Grace
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
Today’s session was very insightful. When we talked about Art appreciation in the last class, I always wondered how I am going to do that. After looking at your performance today, I could see the meaning behind the expressions, movements and song.
My approach to practice would be to practice what we did today in the evening with a partner.
- Grace
September 17th, 2022 - Sapna
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Hi Ms. Mythili,
Approach to practice:
- Practicing every night at around 10pm – after study time.
- Practice would be for around half or one hour.
- Sometimes, early morning practice.
- Practice would consist of stretches, Suryanamaskaras and the hand gestures.
And, thank you for the session and the new learnings.
- Sapna
September 17th, 2022 - Hema
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Hi Ms. Mythili,
Approach to practice:
Practice every night at 10.30pm. It would be after our school + enrichment + study time + dinner.
- Stretches (toe touch, back bend, side to side)
- Ballet (diamond and hand positions)
- Bharata Natyam (diamond and hold of pelvis)
- Surya Namaskara
Thank you for the sessions and your time.
Sometimes it gets difficult to manage our studies and the rest with practice but we, as a small group, would agree to hold each other accountable to practice.
- Hema
September 17th, 2022 - Riya S
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
Thank you for your wonderful sessions. I appreciate your talent and your efforts a lot. My key takeaways are that – Dance is a form of storytelling, as in dance, we convey a story through body movements which makes it a form of expression.
And Abhinaya is drama expressed with facial expressions and body movements.
My approach to practice would be that I will practice what we did today.
Suryanamaskara, Ayatam and body movements every day after dinner.
- Riya S
September 17th, 2022- Daksha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Miss Mythili,
What I took away from all the sessions until now is the Adavus, Mudras and Surya Namaskara.
Now, from here, I will practice the Adavus, Mudras, Surya Namaskaras, positions and stretches.
And I really loved the Fundamentals’ Demo you did (both of them). And I am looking forward to learning them.
- Daksha
September 17th, 2022 - Khushi T
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
Firstly, thank you so much for putting in so much effort and giving us this golden opportunity. From the beginning until now, I’ve learnt a lot of things which also helped me to improve my body posture and stretching.
The last few weeks were hectic and full of exams. From this week, as everything is over and I’m not stressed about academics, I have decided to work out a little and follow the routine we did today.
It won’t be possible in the morning, so Akshata and I have decided to do it every evening from 7.00pm to 8.00pm as we have our dinner at 8.00pm.
I will see if this works for a week by doing it slowly, step by step and then, will add up more.
Thank you,
- Khushi T.
September 17th, 2022 - Shruti
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Hi Ms. Mythili,
I am so happy that the way you are teaching us makes it all really easy to understand.
I’m good with all the things you’ve taught.
But some of the work is getting hard for me, like the wall stretching and the plank – these two exercises are getting hard for me – when I do them my hands start hurting.
I will practice at 6pm and I will try to do the wall stretching and plank better.
Thank you.
- Shruti
September 17th, 2022 - Nikita Jadhav
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Hey Ms. Mythili,
Like for any other area of study,
My approach to practice includes three main fundamentals:
1. Pre-work
2. During-practice notes
3. After-practice reflection.
For Junoon particularly, my pre-work will include:
- Research on topics being discussed in previous classes.
- Sit straight, stand straight and stretch whenever I feel like my posture feels wrong.
- Revise notes and key terms; give them a read once in a while.
During practice work:
- I decide a goal for myself at the beginning of every practice; I’ve been struggling with stretching and touching my feet, so my goal would be being able to do that at the end of my week.
- Do Surya Namaskaras every day.
- Use key terms like ‘Chatushram’ and names of the other positions during practice.
- Be consistent and keep my peers accountable.
- Push oneself further with every set.
Post-practice work:
- Reflect on what needs to be better.
- Reply to your messages.
- Read about resources being discussed in class.
- Lead group sessions and come up with drills.
Thank you for coming in. You look real graceful while dancing.
- Nikita Jadhav
September 17th, 2022 - Nikita R
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Ms. Mythili,
I will review the theory we have learnt in the first half of our classes, then do a short research on it to expand my knowledge. I will try listening to the Ragas and music we discuss in the session and reflect.
For physical practice, I will take out 30 minutes a day to practice the stances and stretches we have learned so far. To know if my stance is correct, I will refer to the videos that will be shared and ask a friend to observe how I am going wrong.
My key takeaways from today’s session is that Dance is expression and storytelling and to be able to do that my fundamentals have to be strong. Nritta is important for Abhinaya to be possible.
Also, for me to be able to express, understand and interpret the overriding emotion of the song is essential.
I am enjoying the classes as they reveal new meanings of Dance and Music every time. My perception of Classical Dance and Music is developing with each class I attend.
Thank you for doing this!
- Nikita R.
September 17th, 2022 - Chaitrali
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 17th, 2022
Dear Miss Mythili,
I am Chaitrali. I’m happy to be in the team. Since the auditions, I’m interested in Bharata Natyam and looking forward to learn from you. Over the last two sessions I’ve learned so many new things like the Surya Namaskara and also I’ve gotten to know new words and their meanings such as Raga, Sur, ‘bittersweet’ and 2 important terms:
Art Appreciation and Literature (with regard to Classical Dance).
I got to know more about the instruments, dance forms, ancient languages and many more.
From now onwards, I’ll take out time to practice and research.
Thank you so much for your efforts and understanding us.
Take care
- Chaitrali
September 21st, 2022 - Hema
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 21st, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
All the very best for your play.
Hope you enjoy it and share your experience and performance video with us the next time we meet.
- Hema
September 21st, 2022 - Daksha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 21st, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
I hope you are doing well.
All the best for your play.
And yes, we are practicing daily and trying our best to put in effort.
Thank you.
- Daksha
September 21st, 2022 - Tanvi
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 21st, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili, Greetings of the day. All the best for your play, and I am looking forward to hear about your experience next week. Thanks, - Tanvi
September 21st, 2022 - Chaitrali
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 21st, 2022
Hello Ms.Mythili!
All the best for your play.
You'll do great!
- Chaitrali
September 21st, 2022 - Nikita R
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 21st, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
I hope you enjoy acting in the play and share your experience with us next we meet.
Wishing the best for it.
I have been listening to Ragas while studying and it does help me stay calm while I study.
For the physical practice, I haven't done much but I will try doing it as much as I can.
This letter gives me a little push to keep trying.
Thank you for writing.
- Nikita R
September 21st, 2022 - Yogini
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 21st, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
Thank you so much for the beautiful message and love how you always give attention to us and make sure that we are doing our work properly by asking and writing us beautiful messages in your busy schedule and all the very best for your play and eager to hear your experiences and learn from them.
Thank you,
- Yogini
September 25th, 2022 - Nikita R
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 25th, 2022
Hello Ms Mythili,
I am happy that our messages encouraged you and the play turned out great.
Your letter is so beautiful. I am starting my day by reading this and it makes me feel a sense of gratitude for all art forms. It is fascinating and amazing how it has such an impact on the performer and the audience.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.
- Nikita R
September 25th, 2022 - Daksha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 25th, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
I am very happy to hear that. It's very encouraging and kind. I am glad to hear that. And yes, we are practicing and going well. Thanks for your support!
- Daksha
September 25th, 2022 - Sapna, Neha, & Riya
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 25th, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
It was great to hear about your beautiful experience. Hearing about it, it motivates us more to practice. Thank you for sharing about it.
- Sapna, Neha, & Riya.
September 25th, 2022 - Grace
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 25th, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
Thank you for writing such a beautiful letter. I am glad your play turned out amazing.
Your messages are encouraging me in all the possible ways.
And yes, we are a work in progress and that is what keeps us going forward and makes us learners.
Have a great week and hope to see you soon.
- Grace
September 25th, 2022 - Yogini
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 25th, 2022
Hello Ms. Mythili,
It was great to hear that you rocked the performance and connected to your previous days/years of life. Hope to see you soon and watch your grand performance.
Yogini
September 25th, 2022 - Harshitha Nandikanti
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
September 25th, 2022
Hello Ms Mythili,
Great to hear that the play was amazing and it was worth your efforts. Like you have your director who has been rooting for you for years, I feel like you are doing the same for us. You have been writing letters to us every week even with your tight schedule. That means A LOT to us!
We do need a little push in going forward with our practice every day and your messages are a reminder for us to keep going!
Thanks a lot!
- Harshitha Nandikanti
October 12th, 2022 - Pranita
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Pranita
Dear Society,
"I am just shocked.
As a proud daughter of India, I would like to take action and tackle this problem.
Through the setting up of a YouTube channel that uses our talents of acting, dancing and any other Art form, for that matter, to educate people and communities to stop certain practices and move forward. I wish I could meet my younger sister who is the girl facing such a problem and tell her that we, your sisters, are with you and will change the world for you soon."
- Pranita
October 12th, 2022 - Grace
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Grace
Dear Society,
I cannot even imagine what she must be going through. I am scared for her and every other girl in this situation, now and tomorrow. This 13-year-old girl has so much potential to show her uniqueness to the world but this one ritual would ruin her life. My first instinct was to blame her parents or rather her for not speaking up but then I realized it’s nobody’s fault. These practices and beliefs are rooted in people’s minds for decades and it is something they have been conditioned to learn.
What breaks my heart more is that this girl is a part of the dance community that I am also part of. She is learning dance which is a form of Art. Art helps individuals to show creativity and express emotions. Art has the power to break every boundary and shine through. I believe that she can use Art as a means to show her parents and the community that this is also something she can do in her life. Art opens the path to so many career options that will help her succeed and make her community proud. If she breaks some barriers then other girls will look up to her and will also want to showcase their talent.
The main reason why practices like child marriage occur is because of a lack of awareness. In order to let them know I need to spread awareness about what I am doing in life. It can be as simple as sharing a photograph of myself participating in this Gurukul or just sharing my learnings. When people will see that there is opportunity, they will be inspired to break out of their bubble and grow into the individuals they thought they could never be.
- Grace
October 12th, 2022 - Sapna
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Sapna
Dear Society,
Mindsets are hard to change. It’s not society or her family’s fault because such practices have been going on for ages. There is a huge information and communication gap over here. People need to know what they are doing, or have been doing wrong. They need to be taught right from wrong.
Dance can help convey, through movement and expression, the suffering of children who meet such a fate. Educational sessions that incorporate Art can be conducted in the places where child marriage is rampant to make people understand how wrong it is.
- Sapna
October 12th, 2022 - Hemadevika
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Hemadevika
This is to every parent marrying their girl off at an early age,
Please know that your girl has the passion, the potential, the intelligence and the empathy to take care of you when you grow older.
We need to do away with stereotypes, forced practices without logic or reason and demand a safe and fair society for our girls. We can begin by spreading awareness of the importance of human hope and purpose and the possibility of achieving one’s dreams. We, as Junoon with junoon would want to use Art as a weapon to bridge the information gap and do away with false norms in society.
Up until now, I had deemed Art to be a form of entertainment, fun and talent but not really perceived it as a medium for social change. But I see now, that through, let’s say, a Classical Dance performance, when a message, with emotion is passed onto the audience, they would feel for a child being married off young and this can and will cause a shift in mindset. Because that is exactly where the problem lies. This is change – the change we are looking for and forward to.
- Hemadevika
October 12th, 2022 - Yogini
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Yogini
Dear Society,
This story is a heart breaking story, harder because of how talented and passionate this girl is.
So what should we do? What can we do?
It came to me that “Art is Freedom" and people have to be made aware of this, by ensuring a sense of freedom for all.
I will use Art and make people feel what this little girl is going through and what it feels like when you're told to let go of your dreams just because you are a girl and should get married so young. I want society to engender generations of change makers because no girl should be in this position. Art will give me the freedom to do so and then it will free so many other girls.
- Yogini
October 12th, 2022 - Nikita R
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Nikita R
Dear Society,
Art is freedom, it lets a person express. It allows a story to create an impact and empower the ones who witness it. When an Artist performs a piece, they go through the emotions of the character and take the audience through it.
After listening to this story of how a girl with immense potential may not be allowed to learn and grow to be a talented dancer, I feel angry and upset. I feel angry that a girl around my age is still tied with customs that were abolished a long time ago. It is sad that she and her community do not know the opportunities available for her. They are not aware of the heights she could reach with the amazing skills and dedication that she has. She, being a young student of Art is still not able to entirely express. I feel this is not her loss or her community’s loss, it is our loss as a society.
Being a girl myself, I understand what this girl, a Junoon sister must be going through, although I can’t imagine myself going through such a thing. It's a problem rooted in the mindset, which is difficult to change and we can’t blame anyone for that. I have tried and understood that being angry will not help me or anyone, I need to work towards eradicating the issue. It sounds big and almost impossible to even me, but I know better than giving up. I want use my privilege of free expression. Art is a tool to reach and team up with those who feel the same but cannot or haven’t been able to express. They may know a better way to tackle it. The first step is to present the problem and let the emotions sink in. If the story reaches and touches a large number of people, there is every possibility to see change in or a better developed mindset.
- Nikita R
October 12th, 2022 - Priyanshi Singh
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Priyanshi Singh
Dear Society,
Art is a powerful storytelling tool which can be used to communicate and convey the ground reality of life and the world. It allows individuals to completely immerse themselves in or get fully involved in a particular character's role before performing a story. The artists’ vulnerability enables them to feel or experience pain or joy completely, which helps them convey their emotions through their performance. If done wholeheartedly, it can keep the audience engaged and allow them to empathize with the character.
Art is a form of expression, art is freedom. It can be employed to bring up untold stories.
Today, during our Junoon Gurukul session, I was made aware of this little girl’s story who could be a potential Indian rising star. This little girl is my Gurukul sister and I can’t imagine what she must be going through right now. The fact that she’ll be married off to another man who she has never met upsets me and I’m mad at the world and its practices. My little sister deserves nothing less than the best, so how dare this world-this community take away her chance to learn and grow!
When I heard what she was going through, my first response was the desire to meet and hug her. I want her to know that her elder sister here wants her to reach new heights and not stop here! I want her to know that there’s a world out there that’s waiting to see her on stage performing and she should not submit to something being forced upon her.
I do realise that this is no one’s fault. India has been following these traditions for decades but we are in the 21st century and it’s about damn time that we take a step to understand the depth of the practices/rituals that we follow and their validity in the current world. These girls are the face of India and if we will marry them off just to meet the traditional practices then we are restricting their growth. It’s important that we don’t follow groups or cults blindly, as individuals, we need to keep an open mind, and question practices before accepting them, as age-old as they may be.
I would like to tell the world about this story by utilising the different platforms that I have access to; the Art I have come to learn. I would like to spread awareness regarding child marriage by organising campaigns and performances or delivering them myself. I would like to visit the underprivileged communities in my area and organise a paathshala to educate the girls present in those communities. This paathshala will hold discussions and present stories through artistic performances to understand their opinions regarding different issues, observe reactions and encourage attendees to question their opinions using different prompts. This will encourage them to think beyond their current limitations.
This talented, little girl and many like her deserve to explore, learn and grow like me. As a budding artist, I do recognize the need to make choices and be free. I want this little girl to make a choice, fight her battles and know that we are here with her regardless of what choice she makes.
- Priyanshi Singh
October 12th, 2022 - Daksha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Daksha
Dear Society,
Today when I heard about this story of a girl child nearly being married, it made my heart cry.
I feel so sad. What on the earth is happening?
A girl who should be playing free, enjoying childhood, studying and succeeding at different Arts and Crafts and Activities is being detained in this manner! Art has the power to change the world and give it the freedom it deserves.
And we are all change makers who can use it!
- Daksha
October 12th, 2022 - Neha
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Neha
Dear Society,
I have heard the story of a girl, in rural India, who has a great sense of Classical Dance and has great passion and enthusiasm towards it, getting married to a cousin she has never seen.
This is really disturbing and hard to believe. Knowing that such immoral practices exist, makes me uneasy.
There are hundreds of opportunities available for girls who have the ability, capability, potential and are so powerful with their talents. The very first step is to spread awareness about the unfairness of these incidents as well as the opportunities available that will encourage us to do away with the former. Girls who face immoral practices like child marriage need to be informed about what there is, out there in the world, and how they have the chance to change their lives through these opportunities.
As an artist, I would like to tell these artistic girls who are suffering fates and practices they didn’t sign up for, to stand up for themselves and use their own potential to make the world a better place for themselves and others, too. I know as I say this that it isn’t easy and it needs a lot of courage and bravery. But we have to help them stand up for themselves and inspire others to as well.
- Neha
October 12th, 2022 - Riya Shingare
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Riya Shingare
Dear Society,
We heard a story about a girl falling victim to child marriage. The girl who despite being very passionate about Classical Dance, Athletics and good at so many other things, is the victim of a mindset that stops her and her family from letting her fly freely. The family is obviously being pressurized by society and as a result, she is being pressurized by her family.
As artists, we can try to bring a small change.
Through spreading awareness across communities about the wrongs we would do well to do away with, through various forms such as dance, skits, campaigns and many other artistic things. This can be a way of expressing and showing our empathy towards those who are facing such problems.
We need to tell these communities that children are the future of this world and stopping them from showcasing their talent will also stop the spread of uniqueness and necessary change.
- Riya Shingare
October 12th, 2022 - Pinki
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October 12th, 2022 - Pinki
Dear Society,
The practice of near-child marriage I was just made aware of has left a deep and may be a life-long impression on me. Your practices are not wrong. It’s what you have followed for ages and it’s all you know. But these practices are restraining children who, given the option and education and exposure wouldn’t choose such lives.
Children who are being wronged aren’t aware of their own capabilities or the opportunities available to them to transform their lives and above all, the mindsets of their communities.
As an aspiring artist, I would convey the aforementioned points through many forms of Art.
Dance is a major Art form which could portray the message in a slower, but deep and impactful way, if people participate in interpreting the emotions and movements of the performer. Street play is another form which could bring an impact in a faster pace and directly through dialogues. Certainly there are other Art forms, but for me, these would be the Performance Art forms I would turn to, to portray this situation and beget the desired change.
- Pinki
October 12th, 2022 - Harshitha
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October 12th, 2022 - Harshitha
Dear Society,
I’ve just heard the story of a 13-year-old girl. She is very enthusiastic and talented with an immense passion for Art, especially Dance. Dance is what brought her to experience real happiness and get exposure to things that she may have never known. But the cruel part is that she and her parents cannot oppose society’s proposal of her getting married to a person she has never met nor interacted with.
She must be going through a lot. It is unbearable and unbelievable for a 13-year-old to be in such a situation while we are drastically progressing on the other side. The society that you call your home and where you should feel safe is actually the one that is destroying your life by not allowing you to grow and be the best version you could possibly be. These social norms are undoubtedly not the ones that help shape your life, these norms are the ones that restrict you from making a life that you would love to live.
So we must come together to change them. This is where Art plays a crucial role as Art is freedom, it has no boundaries or restrictions. It allows individuals to express themselves in various forms. The essence of Art is that unifies humans and also enables us to empathise with each other and bring about a change together. It evokes emotions in the audience and inspires them to act on the issues that need to be addressed.
So let’s use Art to make this little girl live her life and achieve her goals because Art has the power to do so.
- Harshitha
October 12th, 2022 - Tanvi
LETTER EXCHANGES within THE JUNOON GURUKUL
October 12th, 2022 - Tanvi
Dear Society,
After listening to the story of one of my Junoon Gurukul little sisters nearly being married off, I felt very angry. It's her age to live her life to the fullest. But she had to go through a lot and still is! The first thing that came to mind: Why is this still happening even after practices like child marriage are banned? The community needs to know that there is a world outside that provides so many opportunities to grow.
I would like the community to put themselves in that poor girl's shoes. I imagine, as an artist, I would be able to help them do so through a dance performance or a play. I can express feelings and thoughts through these and for me, these two are the most impactful ways to bring change.
- Tanvi
October 12th, 2022 - Renu
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October 12th, 2022 - Renu
Dear Society,
I heard a real-life story today, A young, 13 or 14 year-old girl, training in the Art of Dancing, among other things, was made to get engaged to a boy she has never even met. It hurts me to know that she won't be able to see her dreams realize. I have dreams in life and goals to achieve and so does that girl. A marriage as early as this would just bring her dreams crashing down. Child marriage was banned years ago and seeing it is still followed, makes me angry about the mindset of the people.
We have such great examples in front of us:
Savitri Bai Phule, for instance, who started schools for girls to get an education.
Practices like child marriage waste such efforts she made.
Can I request you to let your daughters go to school? Let them make you proud.
Your daughter can be a writer, doctor, dancer and several more things.
When you have caged your daughter like an animal in the zoo, how can she fly in the sky like a bird, as she is meant to?
Let your daughter fill colours in the Art of her life.
- Renu
Novemver 2, 2022 - Preksha
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Novemver 2, 2022 - Preksha
Hello Ms. Mythili,
Thank you for writing such a big and adequate letter to us and I will revise the steps every day and try to remember them. We are always happy to learn new steps to strengthen our Classical Dance technique and I’m happy to see you soon.
Thank you,
- Preksha
Novemver 2, 2022 - Harshitha
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Novemver 2, 2022 - Harshitha
Hello Ms Mythili,
I didn't do any physical activities over the break however I thought about what I wanted to present for the showcase. The break was really relaxing as I spent time with my family after a really long time. I had a lot of time to myself so I was truly grateful for that, at the same time it was rejuvenating.
I celebrated Diwali so I enjoyed it a lot. Happy new year to you too!
Thank you for taking the time to write this letter for us.
- Harshitha.
Novemver 2, 2022 - Akshata
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Novemver 2, 2022 - Akshata
Hello Ms Mythili,
It was very nice to read your letter and yes, I did have a very nice break.
And I hope that you also had a nice break yourself.
I am very sure that this is going to make you feel very nice.
In the break, I did practice and I showed some of the complex postures to my mother (just to show off). My mother was fascinated after seeing the Ballet production videos. And that really boosted my interest in doing this.
I am looking forward to seeing you again soon. And I am kind of nervous for the showcase. I hope I perform nicely (*Fingers crossed*).
- Akshata