Empowering children through Rabindranath Tagore

Children from an impoverished locality in south-east Delhi are trying to re-write their destiny through poems, paintings, short-stories and films based on the life of maverick artist Rabindranath Tagore.
The students Farhana Saifi, Kiran Rai, Arti Yadav, Adeeba Saifi, Abdul Karim and Hasan Raza Naqvi have embraced Tagore's philosophy on freedom of expression, women's rights, education and self-reliance to tide over the difficulties in their own lives.
"Rabindranath Tagore has not just influenced my work; his teachings have also given me a new outlook towards life. I enjoy painting his women characters like Kumudini, Mrinal and Charulata on the canvas. These characters are symbolic of the modern day women," says Adeeba, a class 12th student.

Aseem Asha Usman who started the Aseem Asha Foundation in 2008, to empower children from poor socio-economic background in Jamia Nagar area through the medium of art, says teachings of Tagore hold the potential to create awareness and empowerment.
"Tagore as a poet, story-teller, painter, lyricist and author has many nuances. We conduct workshops on documentary making, pictorial calligraphy, music, dance, embroidery, tailoring, painting and other art forms - all based on Tagore's works," he says.
Battling issues of religious polarisation and domestic violence in the locality, Aseem Asha, an artist and alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia University, says that his centre has often been at loggerheads with clerics and paranoid critics but he chose to move ahead.

"Domestic violence is a big issue in the area. The students who come to the centre are often victims of such an evil. We sensitise them about the gender roles. The boys work in batches and manage the community kitchen. It is crucial for them to know that women should not be seen in a stereotypical role," he says.
"I have had bitter showdowns with the clerics. They detest the idea of unconventional learning. They want to put the children into stereotypical roles. But I like to go against the tide," he adds.
Notwithstanding the paranoia, the foundation has got many takers in the locality, especially among children, due to the multiple avenues it offers them.