Chitresh Das - Serving Society Through The Arts

Serving Society Through The Arts

Since 2003, Das has worked closely with the New Light Foundation, a Kolkata-based NGO that works to free the children of red-light district workers from the cycle of prostitution and abuse through support services, education and care. Das and the teachers of Nritya Bharati are teaching the children of the New Light Foundation Kathak dance as a means for cultural and self-awareness and empowerment. Recently, the New Light group was invited by the German Ministry of Culture and International Cooperation to be a part of Kinder Kulture Karavane; in 2008, the New Light children travelled to Germany for a 6-week performing tour. Das has also worked with the Calcutta Blind Opera (or Shyambazar Blind Opera), teaching Kathak to visually challenged performers through emphasis on its rhythmic and musical components.

In Das’s teachings, he emphasizes the concepts of ‘tyaag aur seva’ (sacrifice and selfless service). Das himself, as well as the students of Chhandam, are encouraged to adopt the values of selflessness and sacrifice. These values must manifest both within the context of their study of Kathak and also permeate in other aspects of their lives by giving back to their communities and the society by and large.