ASEEMKALA MEANS ‘ART WITHOUT BORDERS’ IN SANSKRIT.
Credit: Kiya Marie
Credit: Kiya Marie
Credit: Kiya Marie
Credit: Kiya Marie
Credit: Kiya Marie
Credit: Kiya Marie
Credit: Kiya Marie
Traditional dances consistently represent the beliefs of indigenous communities around the world. The values revealed through danced mythology can still be seen today in the performances by diverse classical and traditional artists. The Aseemkala Initiative believes there is an inherent healing in traditional dance performances–in the music, lyrics, dance gestures, religious rites, sacred food, and cultural storytelling offered to a connected community audience. The Aseemkala Initiative believes that telling our stories in our own dance “voices” is essential for empowering indigenous women in both patient gowns and white coats.
We do this through:
Credit: Kiya Marie
INTERCULTURAL FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHY
The Aseemkala Initiative works with diverse indigenous communities to create cross-cultural dance stories. We hope co-choreography enables participants to be in charge of their own stories and cultural preservation as they see appropriate and also share experiences with other indigenous communities.
TRADITIONAL DANCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL
The holistic, natural structures of traditional dances make them a medium for optimum delivery of medical care and for changing health behaviors, especially in resource-constrained settings. We offer workshops and work with local partners in Peru, Uganda, Laos, and Cambodia to create indigenous women-led health projects designed and directed by the women themselves.
PHYSICIAN REINTEGRATION INTO COMMUNITIES WITH DANCE
For too long, modern medicine has tried to separate the patient from the physician, drawing them as different entities. Traditional medical cultures say the opposite; they ask the physician to be the artist, dancing with the people. In this way, both the physician and patient heal together.
VISION, VALUES & GOALS
By connecting traditional dance with stories of modern medicine, the Aseemkala Initiative hopes to redefine our global health practices and empower women to advocate for themselves.
This is literally groundbreaking/breaking ground. The dance is both singular and collective, it heals yet needs tending to as well. There is so much potential for healing in this project, I want to witness your journey!
This is literally groundbreaking/breaking ground. The dance is both singular and collective, it heals yet needs tending to as well. There is so much potential for healing in this project, I want to witness your journey!
Can you please what time your performance discussion end on April 8?
Hi Ruth!! The entire show and discussion will end at 3:30 latest.
Thank you for your kind message! We hope to see you there!
Thanks I hope to be there! I am studying Narrative Medicine st Columbia 🙂
That is a wonderful program! We are happy to have you in our audience and look forward to meeting you!