There are many suffering people in the world whose faces and names we do not know. Our own problems and circumstances create a veil that hides them from us. Still, they exist. Can I do something? I can pray for them, I can create awareness, I can support those who work to liberate the vulnerable and broken hearted. No one should be a victim or a slave, human trafficking must end.

A Diverse Dance & Music Project – “Anamika”

(Reposted from YouTube links below) According to the Polaris Project, there are nearly 27 million people who work and live in various forms of modern day slavery today. Of this number, 49, 105 people are identified victims of human trafficking of which 56% are female. The United Nations calls human trafficking a “crime that shames us all.” “Anamika” means “nameless” in Sanskrit. The victims of human trafficking and gender violence are Anamikas—forgotten and forced out from society against their will. Ripped from their homes with no control over their own bodies, these women lose their sense of identity and their place in their societies. This evening, we use the universal language of art—of music and dance from the East and West—to fight ignorance of the issues and to remind all of us of the 27 million Anamikas enslaved today that need us to open our eyes and see them.

Anamika

This project was conceived by Shilpa Darivemula as a way to not only use the arts to increase awareness of the issues of gender violence and human trafficking, but to also to bring eight female artists with diverse styles of music and dance together to construct one piece. The dance styles include Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam—two Indian classical dances—Ballet, Modern, Praise Dancing, and Irish Step Dancing. Two vocalists perform Hindustani and Gospel music as well.

This piece is divided into six emotions that form the arc of Anamika’s story. In each emotion, one of the six dancers will wear a red armband, indicating which woman is the Anamika in that piece. Eventually all six dancers play the role of Anamika, affirming the idea that Anamika can be anyone and everyone, regardless of race, religion, or culture.

Cast and Choreographers- Union College, Schenectady, NY

Jasmine Roth ’14……………………………….­…………….Ballet/Modern
Maria Dreeszen ’14……………………………….­…………Ballet/Modern
Keilah Creedon ’14……………………………….­………….Ballet/Modern
Shilpa Darivemula ’13……………………………….­………Kuchipudi
Sriya Bhumi ’15……………………………….­….Kuchipudi/Bharatanatyam
Sheri Park ’13……………………………….­…………….Praise Dancing/Irish Step Dance
Ulcha Ulysse ’14……………………………….­…………Gospel Vocals
Smita Ravichandran’13…………………….­…………..Hindustani Vocals
Jennifer Matsue…………………………….­……Stage Set up/ Music Cues
Amanda Laven ’13……………………………….­…….Costume Design

Programme Music in Order of Appearance

Joy: Jynweythek by Aphex Twin
Fear: The Hot Gates by Tyler Bates Heer by Nitin Sawhney and Reena Bhardwaj
Anger: Last Man Standing by Hybrid
Poem: Along the Dusty Road Lyrics by Niraj Chag Suno Meri Baat Lyrics by Indiva
Sadness: Hanging by a Thread by Jann Arden
Hope: Truth by Balmorhea
Peace: Now we are Free by Hans Zimmer

YouTube Links (1 & 2 are the dance, 3 & 4 are discussion)

1. Part 1- http://youtu.be/WqXc19O-1Hc
2. Part 2 – http://youtu.be/N98yrsdsv1U
3. Part 3 – http://youtu.be/emo9fEgM0E4
4. Part 4 – http://youtu.be/6h85y7GVLS0