Centre for South Asia at FLAME (Foundation for Liberal And Management Education) celebrates a Festival of Kabir with Films, Music & Conversations.

Students mesmerized by a rare Cultural Treat

Pune, November, 2009
The Kabir Festival at FLAME was a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate the ideas of inclusion, pluralism, and cultural diversity through a critically-acclaimed film by Shabnam Virmani on the life and work of the15 century saint-poet, the myriad ways in which Kabir still lives on in the subcontinent, and the relevance of Kabir in a 21 century India that is being increasingly divided along religion, caste and class lines. The film Had-Anhad: Journeys with Ram and Kabir delves into the heart of divisive Hindu-Muslim politics of religion and nationalism, probing the forces of history that have created disputatiously diverse Rams, while also spawning many Kabirs.

The screening culminated in a unique music concert that brought together some of the finest folk-classical-sufi voices of Kabir -- Mukhtiar Ali and Mahesha Ram.

Enthralled by the performances, Mr. Parag Shah, Founder Chairman said, “I still can’t describe what I felt as I watched Pakistani Qawwali singers from Karachi singing Kabir’s dohas about Ram. It’s again, this awe-inducing, mixed bag of feelings that clutches your heart. I felt pride and immense happiness as I witnessed for the first time, the special bond of brotherhood that is shared by artists - musicians (Sufi singers) in this case. This bond cuts through all borders – physical and psychological. Your drastic backgrounds, the acute clashes between your governments and even your radical faiths and beliefs – all stand meaningless in front of this bond. Today, this level of mutual respect and admiration is extremely rare to see”.

Neehar shrikhande, a student of FLAME School of Liberal Education said, “Frankly, I had no idea what to expect from a Sant Kabir Festival at FLAME. In fact, my knowledge of Kabir was restricted only to a short story or two in a Hindi textbook during my schooling years. I was a blank canvas as I walked into the auditorium where I was about to watch the film – ‘Had Anhad.’ I did not know what to look forward to with respect to this film about Kabir made by Shabnamji Virmani. And I was sort of obligated to watch it as part of a course requirement.

Being a straightforward and delightfully poetic effort to erase the differences and to invoke the idea of tolerance between Hindus and Muslims; this film leaves the viewers completely engaged throughout. It introduces the audience to the thought of an encompassing way of thinking and (more importantly) acting, which happens to be the need of the hour. This is not only applicable to Hindus and Muslims in India today, but for every caste, community, religion, nation in the world. If this mindset was to be somehow ingrained and embedded in every person, it could actually lead us to a much more peaceful future. As Kabir says – ‘even if you are as alone as alone can be, you can still make a huge difference, when you are determined to.’ A very well made film and indeed, a must-watch.”

He further added, “It was this overwhelming feeling. The nature and power of music is rather transcendental. It is as if we were all under a spell. As I sat still, I soaked in everything that was happening in front of my eyes. No toilet breaks, no cigarette breaks, no other thoughts – undivided attention. I was pleasantly surprised. ‘Had Anhad’ is a beautiful film that traces the journey of the film-maker as she travels across the country and even across the border in search of the concept of Ram and this truly secular genius and artist extraordinaire – Kabir.”

“Post the screening of the film; we witnessed a very magical experience. Simple truths conveyed in a mystical, poignant lyric. There were renditions of Kabir’s dohas by two groups of musicians from Rajasthan – one of them being Mukhtiyar Ali’s troupe (which also featured in the film). Both groups have been an integral part of the Kabir project since its inception. I am more than glad that all the students had this marvelous opportunity of seeing this performance live. With a description of the story behind each song, the event was a splendid manifestation of Kabir’s work and philosophies.” Another student quipped.

About the Centre for South Asia – FLAME - On the lines of international institutes set up for the study of South Asia, the Centre for South Asia - FLAME will serve as a research, outreach, and resource centre for students and researchers in India and abroad.

Increasingly in the past decade Centres for South Asia have been established in Europe, Australia and USA at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, University of California Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Madison- Wisconsin, University of Virginia, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Pennsylvania. By initiating the region’s first Centre for South Asia, FLAME will join forces with the best.

The focus on South Asia shall encourage the exchange of research and resources in India and abroad: scholars-in- residence programs for South Asian scholars from FLAME and outside; exchange programs between FLAME and other Universities for students and faculty; Consultation and collaboration for research projects etc.

The Centre’s focus is on organizing symposia, conferences, lectures, and screenings. In Tri 1, 2008-‘09 the Centre invited speakers on the following themes:

Azhar Tayabji, Urban Planning and Disaster Management
Kaiwan Mehta, Alice in Bhuleshwar - Navigating a Mumbai Neighbourhood
Lawrence Liang, The Digital Commons and the Future of Copyleft