Teachers Explore India Art Traditions

November 03, 2017

On November 3-4, PAAC and the East-West Center Arts Program collaborated on another teacher workshop, this time on the topic of "India Art Traditions."  23 K-12 teachers participated in the teacher development workshop.

The director of the UH Manoa Center for South Asian Studies, Professor Sai Bhatawadekar, kicked off the workshop discussing India’s portrayal in Western and Bollywood films. Teachers watched “Delhi 6,” an Indian musical film, and discussed major themes and cultural aspects seen in the film.

Dr. Michael Schuster, Director of the East-West Center Gallery, led the group through the Center’s current exhibit, “Irresistible Resist: The Art of Indian Dyes and Designs.” They were then treated to a demonstration and tried their hand at traditional block printing techniques, under the instruction of Sufiyan Khatri, a visiting Ajrakh Textile Artist from India. 

   

Other elements of the workshop included Professor Paul Levy sharing about major themes in Indian art and mythology; examining artifacts from the Honolulu Museum of Art Lending Collection, curriculum lessons adapted to the theme; a lively participatory activity learning about Bollywood dancing; and an authentic catered Indian dinner.

   
See more pictures from this workshop in our Gallery.

This workshop was made possible by Richard H. Cox and other generous donors to the East-West Center Arts Program and PAAC. 

The next teacher workshop will be on Bhutan and is scheduled for April 6-7, 2018.