Art Ichol Journal

Fana
Devi Sharda temple, which one reaches by travelling a cool ropeway now and not
climbing those hundred steps that are still to be seen, as you ride a hundred feet above
them, or in ‘Amariya - The Writers’ Retreat’ which is located on the bend of a small
river that finds mention in the Ramayana - dance was my instinctive response to the
setting. Much to the surprise of the group I was with, and often to their questions
about this facet of my being – unknown to most, even those who knew me.
I was astonished myself - at what was happening, for I hadn’t danced for nearly
twenty-seven years. But something was pulling it out of me. Something had turned
on a switch which had been kept off, far too long. I was excited, yet I was quiet. I was
visiting my centre again. This is what the residency at Art Ichol did for me.
Once back, I am more predictable and, not unexpectedly breaking into a spontaneous
dance, every now and again. But, I know that I can. That dance is still a-kindle within
the depths of my being, is enough to keep a smile flickering on my lips.
As an arts manager, I know that Art Ichol has the potential of growing from a centre
of individual salvation, such that I experienced personally, to creating a community
- the beginnings of which I also saw unfolding before me. And eventually, I also see
this Arts Centre serving as a nexus for shared creativity. But, whatever it is that we
can imagine or visualise at this point, it is only and only just, the tip of the iceberg of
potential I foresee here.
arshiya at maihar palace
photo credit : amitabha
bhattacharya
Arshiya Sethi is a Scholar, Activist, Artiste, Media personality
Administrator and Cultural Visionary. Dr. Sethi has been the Executive
Director of the annual Delhi International Arts Festival. She set up the
Kri Foundation as a progressive link between the practice, management
and scholarship of the arts and, in promoting a developmental agenda.
Website: www.krifoundation.org