South Asian Film Festival (saff-2012)

South Asian Film Festival

                                       ...dissolving boundaries

saff-2012

October 25-28, 2012

Goa

South Asia Foundation hosts the 7^th annual South Asian Film Festival-saff-2012 at Goa with the theme ...dissolving boundaries. saff is also celebrating the remarkable journey of "100 glorious years of Indian Cinema".  This is the first ever effort to celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema that is being celebrated at the South Asian Regional level in the presence of prominent film-makers of all the South Asian Countries. saff is all set to bring some of the finest cinema from all the South Asian Countries. Beginning on October 25, 2012, the four day long festival is one of rare festival where all the South Asian Countries film-makers join in celebrating the spirit of South Asian Cinema to promote and propagate peace and harmony in the South Asian Region with a spirit of oneness. saff is also an initiative of the Foundation to bring people to people contact through the medium of cinema where it tries to reach it to the grass-roots level also. It is also one of the most popular  non-governmental initiative, where people to people vibrant contacts are effectively made through the medium of cinema. 

South Asia Foundation has received support from the ICCR and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to make this event a grand success.

Today,at the inaugural ceremony, Kathak recital by noted Kathak Danseuse Ms. Sharmistha Mukherjee and group and an ensemble on Bhutanese Culture being presented by Karma Deki, Actor-Director from Bhutan and to add the local flavour to the festive season, Goa's very own Sigmund De Souza would also present a cultural programme at the Kala Academy Goa's Open air Amphitheater in the evening at 6.00 pm on today i.e. October 25, 2012.

Some of the highlights:

• Script writing workshop by Shri Sanjay Chauhan was conducted on October 26, 2012 which was attended well.
•  “All I want is Everything” directed by Ms. Shital Morjaria was screened on the first day of the festival and had a wonderful response as it is being screened again today on special demand. The Producer of the film, Ms. Jhansi Laxmi who is a popular TV anchor, Telegu theatre & film actor who was present on the occasion was delighted with the kind of response they got from the audience. The film incidentally received wide spread reviews in Goan Media, as prelude to media coverage for the South Asian Film Festival much before it kicked off.
• Movies from Maldives and Nepal also had a great response. Both the country’s Directors could be seen excited by getting an opportunity to mingle with the audience and interacting with them.
• Bangladeshi movie “Uttorer Sur” directed by Shahneoyaj Cacoly had a very heart touching plot and natural reaction from the audience was visible. It not only brought people to tears, but also, had an emotional response from the audience. The Film witnessed a large number of Bengali communities from Goa in full strength including people from all walks of life turned up and the audience got a rare opportunity to interact with the promising young Director from Bangladesh.
• The Konkani film Mariola, directed by Joe Rose received an over-whelming response to a packed capacity at the ESG Auditorium. While introducing the film, Mr. Joe along with his lead actor Mr. Kevin, expressed their gratitude and appreciated the effort of South Asia Foundation to invite them for screening the first ever HD Konkani film and first ever HD film made in Goa. In an emotional call, the Secretary General of South Asia Foundation congratulated the director and actor in supporting the initiative of the foundation and joining the spirit of South Asia Foundation. He further informed the audience and the director that the foundation will try its level best to take the film to other South Asia Countries for presenting the film to a larger audience beyond India.
• The South Asian Film Festival surprisingly witnessed a huge crowd for the Bhutanese film “Seday” which normally does not get much audience because of language barrier.
• The film “Narasajjana Nursery” also received a good response from the audience. The director and actor were seen promoting their film and interacting with the audience.

The South Asia Foundation would also like to take this opportunity to thank all its supporters, sponsors and associates for making this Festival a success. 

Visit us for more details: www.saff.in

Launch of a Book published by South Asia Foundation.

South Asia Foundation (SAF) formed in 1991, day by day has gained more strength even beyond boundaries in its belief in the power of ideas and the strength and creativity of the common people. It seeks to create a network of people in the region and channelizes its energies towards building a South Asia free from prejudice and bitterness. A step forward towards this, South Asia Foundation has once more proved its versality through release and launch of a Book " Governance, Security and Development" authored by K SREEDHAR RAO, IAS (R). South Asia Foundation has published this book , in collaboration with Concept Publishing Co. (P) Ltd. We invite all our friends, colleagues, well wishers and all to grace this occasion with your presence and be a part of this thoughtful initiative of the Foundation.

Brand Building Workshop in Goa June 01-02, 2012

South Asia Foundation organises a Workshop "BRAND BUILDING OF GOAN CRAFTS" at Vivanta by Taj, Panaji on June 01-02,2012. 
The workshop aims at building up a strategic plan to consciously develop the craft of Goa where Tourism with its huge potential can play an important role.

The South Asia Foundation (set up in 1991 is )organized a Workshop on Brand Building for Goan Handicrafts on June 01-02, 2012 at Vivanta by Taj, Panaji, Goa which was inaugurated by  Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India at  11 am on Friday, June 01, 2012.
South Asia Foundation has been working among Goan artisans for last 5 years organizing them into SHGs and getting most of the artisans of North Goa registered with the O/o of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Govt. of India as registered Artisans and working with them to enhance their productivity under AHVY Scheme of your office through a SAF initiative for Comprehensive Development of the artisans of North Goa.
The subject is “Brand building of Goan Crafts” and eminent speakers from IIT, NID and other resource persons from across the country would interact with the artisans in this Workshop that will help in brand building of Goan handicrafts. The sessions are designed in such a way that it would also help device a marketing strategy for handicrafts of Goa.
This Workshop discussed ways to tackle various issues pertaining to the artisans’ community in North Goa that helped to draw up a Comprehensive Development Plan for the artisans of North Goa. Comments, suggestions and inputs of the Industry experts, stake holders and resource persons were taken into consideration by the Foundation for a project for an over-all development of the artisans of North Goa.

India-Nepal Crafts Festival inaugurated by His Excellency, Rt. Hon'ble Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, President of Nepal

Poster released for INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL

PRESS RELEASE FOR INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL by SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION

South Asia Foundation set up in 1991, in association with Embassy of India, Government of India,  Government of Goa and Nepal Tourism Board is organising first time ever, INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL at Nepal academy from April 27 to May 02, 2012. INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL is aimed to enhance bilateral relation in the field of arts and crafts between Nepal and India. Goa is the focus state. The vibrant Goa will be represented by 25 crafts persons with various crafts products. Goa tourism is also participating in full strength to explore tourism potential between Goa and Nepal. There will be various crafts demonstration, display of crafts products by master crafts persons and artisans from various parts of India and Nepal. INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL will open opportunity for craft exchange programme(s) between Nepal and India.  Nepal has a very rich crafts tradition and this crafts festival will also provide a platform to the artisans from Nepal and India to exchange idea and explore larger co-operation. The INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL is also looking at the opportunity to tie up effective and comprehensive collaboration between Nepal and India for a larger participation in the field of arts and crafts.

India-Nepal Crafts Festival by SAF

South Asia Foundation in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Nepal, Government of Goa, B.P Koirala Foundation and Nepal Tourism Board is organising a 6 day crafts festival in Kathmandu at Nepal Academy from April 27th to May 2nd.. Goa is the focus state for this festival where various states of India will display their craftsmanship. There will be pottery workshops conducted along with live demonstration of pottery, known to be the symbol of the most ancient civilization, will be the highlight of the Festival. Vibrant Goa, India displaying from its scenic to crafts and cuisine, will be an added attraction of this 6 day Carnival.
South Asia Foundation is pleased to invite all its associates to come and visit to this Festival to be a part. Entry is open for all and free.
This initiative is first of its kind in the history of India-Nepal cross cultural relations.

Pottery Exhibition at India International Centre

 “Kumhaargram: Lifeline of Green Delhi”

                                         ...Crafting Excellence

An exhibition on pottery by the Potters of Delhi:   “Kumhaargram: Lifeline of Green Delhi”

                                                                          ..Crafting Excellence

An exhibition of pottery items by the potters of “Kumhaargram” and a photographic journey of Delhi Potters were organised by South Asia Foundation in collaboration with India International Centre, Delhi at the Gandhi King's Plaza, IIC, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi. The exhibition showcased the pottery products prepared by the Potters of 'Kumhaargram'.

'Kumhaargram' is one of the largest settlements of potters in Asia and the lifeline of NCT Delhi’s greenery, it is home to some of the finest artisans of the country.The exhibition scheduled at 11am to 7 pm on April 18 and April 19 was inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh, Honourable Member of Parliament. It also included demonstrations using traditional as well as modern mechanized electric operated pottery wheels; and a photographic display tracing the history of the artisans and origins of the potters of 'Kumhaargram' village.

Seven National Awardee Potters and one State Awardee namely Giriraj Prasad who is also a Shilpguru, Harikrishan; Angoori Devi; Bhuvnesh Prasad; Dayachand; Lachhi Ram; and Amar Singh; and Shyam Prasad respectively were honoured by Dr. Karan Singh, Honourable Member of Parliament  and Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra, Chief Priest, Sankat Mochan Mandir, Varanasi, who also initiated the Clean Ganga Campaign, on behalf of the Foundation.

The South Asia Foundation (SAF-set up in 1991) has been working for the overall development of more than 1000 potters’ families settled at Kumhaargram, Sainik Enclave, Vikas Nagar, New Delhi 110059.

It is believed that in 1968, potters and their families from Alwar in Rajasthan and neighbouring State of Haryana were forced to come to Delhi due to constant draught, availability of too little water, and unfavourable economic conditions. Delhi provided them with a brighter economic opportunity. Though they left their traditional villages but they brought with them the enormous skill of traditional pottery, manifestation of our rural India's craftsmanship.

This settlement opened new opportunity to other traditional potters of Delhi and the surrounding areas as well over the period of time.

In 1984, another unique case of group migration took place. The traditional potters, mostly from Alwar District of Rajasthan  purchased lands in Delhi and made Delhi their home and finally the Kumhaargram of Sainik Enclave, Vikas Nagar came into being.

The Kumhaargram has also given to the nation some of the finest potters of the country, who have won the highest National Award in craftsmanship with few national awardees, one shilpguru, one Sanskrity awardee among others.

South Asia Foundation is the only non-governmental development organization that has been working with these potters, for improving their socio-economical condition and creating a sustainable model of development that is artisan led.

The two day exhibiton and the photographic display is open to all and also invites visitors to try their hands on the pottery wheel to mould the clay into majestic shapes, appreciated and preserved for decades.

Two day Workshop on Capacity Building at Kumhargram

South Asia Foundation successfully completed the two day Workshop on Capacity Building for the potters of Delhi at Kumhaargram, Sainik Enclave, Vikas Nagar, New Delhi on March 16 & 17, 2012. 

Workshop at Kumhaargram
For more pics click here

The Workshop discussed issues related to enhancing the capacity and productivity of the Potters Community in Delhi, and the specific marketing or technological tools required for increasing their livelihood. There were sessions on Product Development, Market Strategy, Design selection, Quality control, Organization Building and Market based Empowerment. The Foundation has already got almost all the potters registered as Registered Artisans with the O/o DCH, GOI and initiated process for issuance of Artisan Credit Cards.

Further, focus were laid on the drawbacks and SAF outlines the following:

a.    Low earnings from pottery

b.    Lack of availability of raw material & high transport cost for procurement

c.     Lack of basic facilities and services

d.    Lack of effective marketing network & skills

e.    Lack of interest of youth in traditional pottery

f.     Lack of design input & value addition to existing products

g.    Lack of product diversification

h.    Lack of any existing credit facility

i.     Lack of training facilities for skill up-gradation

j.     Lack of any effective organizational support

k.     Lack of social awareness and awareness about Govt. facilities & schemes 

l.     Lack of medical facilities.

The Workshop for 2 days, was divided into 2  sessions each day followed by discussions with the artisan community and also on one to one basis. These sessions were conducted by Senior Faculty and members from XLRI Jamshedpur, IGNCA,  Crafts Experts from NIFT Delhi and NID, Marketing Consultants and SAF Team members.

Pottery to be introduced in schools as craft studies

The Foundation has been working with these potters for the past two decades. This is believed to be the largest potters' settlement in Asia.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal,  has announced that crafts skill and crafts studies would be included in the school syllabus so that students take it up as a hobby so as to appreciate artisan's way of life. Pottery would be amongst this. 

Read more ...

Kumhaargram potters benefited by Artisan's credit card, an initiative of SAF

The potters’ village near Sainik Enclave is part of a settlement of more than 20,000 families living in the western part of New Delhi, at Uttam Nagar, Hastsal, Bindapur, Vikas Nagar, etc. The potters have been here since past 30 years, without any recognition and identity of their own. About 1000 odd families made it their home, after migrating from surrounding states of Haryana and Rajasthan, some of them even from far flung states of U.P., Bihar &W.B.
The Foundation is working with the aim to provide them a better livelihood and independent lifestyle. And in this regard,100 potters have already been issued Artisan's credit card to have access to emergency financial requirement thus eliminating private money lenders. 700 more potters are going to be covered under this unique scheme initiated by South Asia Foundation at Kumhaargram.

Read more about this at the Hindu...!