Body and soul are interconnected and their united function bears an affine outcome for the elevation of oneself.
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) was an unknown phrase to me till 12th February 2023. As a coordinator of Song of Soul (a renowned NGO, working with rural artists for their upliftment and sustainability), I visited Kolkata Sanved along with Rebecca Robson, Stephen Robson (Senior Officers of Women's Community Matters, Barrow-in-Furness), and Catherine Corkill (a writer and activist, Barrow-in-Furness). Kolkata Sanved is a holy place for empowering women, especially the underprivileged and marginalized ones in a very distinct and inspiring way.
An invisible shackle of patriarchy is always there around women, they neither can accept nor avoid it. Thus, sometimes, they step into blue tracks and get disvalued; moreover, they can not come back from the nadir. There will start the fight for revival, and an apricity will be needed as zen.
Dance and movement are powerful spirits that move every distressed soul into the euphoria of paradise. When the body feels the free wings, the wings become the wings of Phoenix and illuminate the soul. Making the mind free with bodily movements, creativity, and art is the fundamental philosophy of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT).
In India and South Asia, Kolkata Sanved was the first to use DMT for uplifting purposes to empower and cure survivors of trafficking, humiliation, exploitation, and violence. Besides, the children and youth residing in red light areas, rural and urban slums, railway platforms, Child Care Institutions, people with mental issues, and children in conflict with the law are also the part and parcel of their sessions. Traumatic nightmares start and end with the body, causing guilt, indignity, and self-abasement as well as stigmas and negativity attached to the body. These must need a panacea and that is Kolkata Sanved.
Dr. Sohini Chakraborty is the secretary and founder director, and the presidency is adorned by Bhaswati Ghosh. The journey had its official outset in 2004, 29th April. After that, it continues its chariot of elixir without any halt with nearly 30 members, besides many collaborating partners and stakeholders trying their best to smoothen their path.
As stated by Rajyashree Datta (Director of Development), the trainers even do workshops in various homes, and shelters of trafficked distressed women and get the best outcome. It is group psychotherapy.
According to Srija Debnath (Executive Member, and DMT Training Expert, Trauma Recovery and Well-being), this women's movement is like a chain; the victims are the next trainers and the healers of other victims. They absorb the traumas from them. Even there is a trans-person who now comes out from his tragedy through DMT practices.
Gender equality is gleamingly practiced breaking all kinds of stereotypes for a violence-free, healthy, and creative world not only for women but for everyone also. Their very motto is: “Heal. Transform. Empower.” Kolkata Sanved is determined to establish a white ecosystem for the pink era of mankind creating more leaders as well as healers.
The programs they organized:
Sampoornata Direct Outreach (regular DMT-based workshops)
Kolkata Sanved Academy (providing a diploma course on DMT collaborating with Centre for Lifelong Learning, and TISS, Mumbai)
Training of Trainers (employment for new DMT practitioners)
Advocacy (raising awareness)
To conclude, it can be said that with various awards and acknowledgments, Kolkata Sanved still resumes possessing and radiating great power through DMT acts. The bête noirs of souls irrespective of gender transform into strength, joy, and vitality.
All start to feel the Zenith in themselves. All become the Zenith.
Acknowledgement:
Kolkata Sanved (https://kolkatasanved.org/ )
Mr. Kaushik Dutta (CEO of Song Of Soul)
The Entire Team of BarrowFull
The Cultural Exchange Project: ‘A New Jute Route’
