| ashu |
Posted
on 30-Mar-01 03:36 AM
Hi everyone,
About a month ago, I wrapped up the formal part of
my work for Dilli Chaudhary on the Kamaiya issue.
With Dilli's and BASE's help, I will now -- in my
spare time -- concentrate on revising and completing the
Kamaiya book. Might take some more time, as these
things often do.
Meantime, one thing I always felt bad re: the Kamaiya
situation was the state of the Kamaiya children. Few
programs seem to exist only for those little kids;
and the kids seem to get lost in the shuffle of all
the traumas and uncertainties that have long been
going around them.
Sylvain Sluys is a magician from Belgium, who seems
to have stepped right into Kathmandu from the
streets of Harvard Square!! He agreed to spend a few
days visiting the Kamaiya camps in Kailali, Kanchanpur
and Bardiya and perform his magic shows for the kids
for FREE. I joked with Sylvain that since he had to perform
his magic with few props and in open spaces, his show was like like "Magic Unplugged" -- and he laughed at that . . .
Below is an email that details viewers' reaction to Sylvain's shows.
Special thanks to Keith Leslie, Director of the Save the Children (US) and Mr. Bharat Devkota, the Deputy Director there, for readily agreeing with the idea of sending a magician to the Kamaiya camp; thanks also to Dilli, Yagya Raj Chaudhary, Mahabir Chaudhary and Ram Kumar Mishra for taking care of the logistics for Sylvain.
Finally, thanks to my friends at Martin Chautai for supporting this crazy idea of sending a magician down to the Kamaiya camp for what it was worth!
oohi
ashu
*************************************
>Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 9:30 AM
>Subject: Audience views about Magicine
>Namaste.
Apologized for being delayed to send the people views
about the Sylvain's magic shows here in Kamaiya Camp.
I got your email message on March, 25,2001. However,
after having this, I had visited to Kamaiya
camps and made discussion with viewers, and Sylavain's
show is found one of the most interesting and
unforgettable events among the Kamaiya's and
their children.
These shows are not only interesting for the children
it was enjoyable for the parents too. As we all are
aware that, Kamaiyas are living on the pitiful
environment. They don't have opportunity to enjoy.
As per our interest to have their response towards the
magic shows, Kamala Kumari Chaudhary, a 11 years girl
from Daidwari camp in Kailali district says that "We
had never expect that American people (As white skin
or foreigner are known as American) also performed the
magic! We heard the Indian (Bajhiya) and Bengali
people only have skill to performed such a magic. It
was amazing shows for us. We get surprise while the
magician keeps the lighted cigarettes in audience
shawl, but shawl was not burnt.
Krishna Chaudhary (10): "In the beginning my friend
and me were afraid that, magician will doing some
things wrong with us because we had heard the
story from our parents, where the (Jadugar) magician
cutting down the hand, leg and other parts of men body
and drip the blood. But this magician making
laughter with his performance. It was astonishment to
us that magician drive away the lot of small ball from
his mouth. At the mid of magic shows, he
was making a handkerchief from my stomach, and I get
surprise! Before this, I never have chance to see the
magic shows."
Jagat Ram chaudhary (30):" It was mysterious events
for us. As magician has cutting down the ropes by his
finger is remarkable. He was split out the small ball
from his mouth smartly and it was strange"
Tulasi Ram Chaudhary (35), chairperson of Kamaiya camp
struggle committee: "It was very good opportunity to
us that we are watching the funny shows together, our
children tittering together. During the magic show my
wife and some of other people were out of camp for the
labored work and they have missed to participate in
these mysterious events. While they heard
from the children and me about the show, they feel
sorrow and worried to missed the opportunity. We are
much thank full to the organizer and Magician,
who are success to making laughter & however we forget
the all kind of tension during the entire period. Now
days our kids trying to copied the magicians
performance. We overwhelmed to remembering the events"
Mr.Chhatra Pradhan, District Superintendent of police
(DSP) from Kanchanpur district in Bani Camp: It was an
opportunity that, Mr. Chhatra Pradhan(DSP) with his
police team accompanying to Ashok jairu has been also
one of the viewers of the Sylvain's magic. During the
entire period he was also surprised to see the magic
performance in Kamaiya camp. According to the Mr.
Pradhan he has a visit to make rapport with the
kamaiya and he has also some sort of program
activities for the wellbeing of Freed bonded labor.
"After democracy, relation between police and
community are seems not good. Meanwhile, we are
specially worked for the security of people but
while we are trying to have support from community,
they don't trust to us. It is therefore; making the
good relation and wining the trust, we are
distributing the handpump and other relief program
activities to the Kamaiya, said Mr. Pradhan." He was
praise worthy that I/NGO sector has been doing very
well. He was impressed with the magic shows. "As now
days our police forces are in very tension full
environment, if you have time then, I will like to
request to manage to performed the magic show for our
police forces, which will help to get freed from the
tension for the time being." he had added.
This event is found one of the most interesting and
joyful. Sylvain's body language and gustier is enough
to understand, what ever he performed. I
have trying to reflect all the detail, which are
getting from the audience.
Because of linguistic problem, if any things is
mistake, beg to say pardon.
Thank you with best regards.
Sincerely yours
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