Mallika Sarabhai: Dance to change the world

TL;DR

This talk highlights the power of art in addressing societal issues like rape, violence, and inequality by using storytelling, dance, and other forms of creativity as a means of communication and transformation.

Transcript

One day a one-eyed monkey came into the forest. Under a tree she saw a woman meditating furiously. The one-eyed monkey recognized the woman, a Sekhri. She was the wife of an even more famous Brahmin. To watch her better, the one-eyed monkey climbed onto the tree. Just then, with a loud bang, the heavens opened. (Claps) And the god Indra jumped into... Read More

Key Insights

• 🐵 Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue in India, with a rape occurring every three minutes and a low conviction rate of only 4% in reported cases.
• 🐱 Injustice is often prevalent in society, with certain ethnic and social groups being disproportionately charged with crimes, such as aboriginals in Australia, Muslims and Adivasis in India, and blacks in the U.S.
• 🐰 Art has a unique power to break through barriers and reach people, offering a language that can effectively address social issues and challenge established beliefs and prejudices.
• 🐼 Practical solutions exist to address public health challenges, such as providing clean water in areas without access to clean water sources through a simple method of using folded cotton garments to filter water.
• 🐸 Violence is a pervasive problem in society, from domestic violence to road rage, and it is essential to educate children and young people on non-violent ways to deal with anger and frustration.
• 🐦 Mainstream art, cinema, and media can be powerful tools for addressing social issues and spurring social change, as seen in films like "Rang De Basanti" and soap operas tackling breast cancer awareness.
• 🐥 The arts need to be integrated into future planning and policymaking, as they have the potential to be a catalyst for social change and can break down barriers that traditional approaches have failed to address.
• 🐢 The traditional notions of what a planner or strategist looks like must be challenged, and the arts must be embraced as an integral part of creating a better, more just world.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the speaker argue that art can be more effective than other means of addressing social issues?

The speaker believes that art has the ability to break through prejudices and reach people on a deeper level, making it more impactful than traditional methods of communication. This is because art can bypass preconceived notions and tap into universal emotions, sparking empathy and understanding.

Q: What examples does the speaker provide to support her claim that art can bring about change?

The speaker mentions examples such as a dance performance that led to the government addressing the issue of dowry, a theatrical production that resonated with diverse audiences across different cultural backgrounds, and a popular soap opera that encouraged women to get mammograms. These examples demonstrate the power of art to engage and inspire individuals to take action.

Q: How does the speaker criticize the current approach to addressing social issues?

The speaker argues that art is often seen as secondary or optional in addressing social issues, with governments and planners not fully recognizing its potential. She suggests that art needs to be integrated with other disciplines, such as science and economics, in order to create a more effective and holistic approach to problem-solving.

Q: How does the speaker connect the power of art to the failure of traditional methods in creating a better world?

The speaker contends that despite efforts to create a better world, issues like violence, inequality, and war persist. She suggests that the failure lies in not fully harnessing the power of art as a tool for communication and social transformation. By embracing art as a fundamental component of planning and policy-making, she believes that there is a greater chance of achieving meaningful change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker tells a story to illustrate the injustice faced by women and the flaws in the justice system.

• She discusses the unequal distribution of justice in various countries, highlighting how certain marginalized groups are disproportionately affected.

• The speaker emphasizes the power of art in breaking barriers and reaching people, citing examples of how art has influenced social change in different contexts.