The Message of Peace (Mumbai International Peace Festival)

The present conflict ridden world is facing with various violent incidents such as the global war on terror, brutalization of Iraq, bloodbath in Afghanistan, carnage in Gujarat, India. These violent incidents have made us realize the importance of peace. God has created a beautiful world and it is our duty to maintain by respecting each and every animate and inanimate species and by living peacefully with others. But we as a man (human beings) and considered to be the dearest of God have failed in our duty. This had made us to hunt for the quest of peace. Peace is based on mutual respect, dignity and love and most important of all, Justice. Peace means, Justice, compassion and solidarity. The quest for peace in its essence is a cry for justice and its unquenched thirst for democratic rights, particularly of the marginalized and weaker sections of the society, against discriminations and oppressions, overt or covert.

The International Peace Festival was held on 1st, 2nd and 3rd December at Bhavan’s college campus Andheri (W) in Mumbai, India and organized by Forum for Justice and Peace. The concept of International Peace Festival was first mooted by “Peace for Life”, an International solidarity network based in Global South and focusing on issues concerning South. The Working Group of the Peace for Life in its meeting held in the month of May 2006 decided to hold the first International Peace Festival in India. Forum for Justice and Peace was formed in Mumbai to organize the International Peace Festival in Mumbai. IPF was a small attempt to emphasize the importance and urgency of peace in the world. This festival attempted to give a fillip to the forces of peace mainly through the language of creative “cultural expression” to explore, to express, to build bridges and to break barriers in a confluence of collective participation and intermingling of people having diverse cultural expressions. It was also an attempt to use resources available in different faiths to deepen the understandings, and reinforce our convictions and realize the dream of “A peaceful world is possible”. It was also an attempt to provide the necessary creative space for citizens groups, peace movements, social and cultural activists to identify from their history and culture, positive signs and values that people can live together which are often ignored by the perpetrators of violence driven either by religious, sectarian ideologies, or by war mongers.

The main reason for choosing “cultural expressions” as a medium to conduct International Peace Festival was the importance and significance of culture. Culture refers collectively to a society and its way of life and also includes social heritage, tradition that is passed on to future generations. In the International Peace Festival these cultural expressions were displayed in the form of folk dances, street plays, performed by the different organizations from different parts of India and the world. Variety of films on the struggles for peace and justice in various parts of the world were shown. Seminars were also held during the International Peace Festival. Different aspects of peace were analyzed and discussed by speakers from various countries. The highlight of the International Peace Festival was the projection of peace through musical concerts, classical dances, Mushairas which enthralled and regaled the audiences. The peace Festival attracted hundreds of audience who throng cultural programmes for entertainment, but were not particularly concerned about importance of a peaceful world. However, while enjoying good cultural performances during the peace festival, they could realize and appreciate the message of peace given through the cultural performances. At the same time, the peace loving activists also appreciated the role and importance of culture in the peace movement.

Cultural Programmes

Many Folk dances and folk songs were performed by the artists and cultural activists to give expression to the voice of and issues concerning the marginalized sections of the society during the International Peace Festival. Folk culture has always been a part of Indian culture. From ancient times folk music, dance, songs played a very important role in spreading social messages to the remotest of the remote places so that awareness could be brought among the people about the social evils existing in society . In this Festival issues concerning Peace and Justice were central theme of all the folk dances, music and theatre. Adivasi dance from Warli (indigenous peoples in India) was performed. Folk songs from Maharashtra called as Lokhshair was also performed. Ballet dance was performed by Prajanatyamandali Andhra Pradesh highlighting the exploitation of landless and small peasants by feudal landlords. Songs written by Kabir a ascetic saint who composed songs in religion of love and humanity were also sung by Maganbhai and his troupe from Indore in Central India. Adivasi (Indigenous people) dance from Jhabua, Orissa, Dhodia Brihad Mumbai Dhodia Samaj Mandal and many other such Adivasis dances were performed. These dance ballets depicted the difficult and hard life of the adivasis and their daily struggle for survival in face of globalization and shrinking natural resource base. It was very exciting and enthralling to watch these Adivasis dances or folk dances as today more importance is given to the mainstream Indian dances and also connects us to people’s culture. It was a good effort to use the medium of folk culture to spread the message of peace.

Street plays were another medium which was used to spread the message of peace. Professional or proscenium plays performed in theatres with expensive props while street theatres are performed even on the streets or on a make shift stage with minimal props and expenses with message concerning social issues. If any message or awareness campaign needs has to reach the common people street play is a very useful medium. One beautiful play which attracted the audience’s mind was Yeha Kiska Lahu Hai? Kaun Mara? (whose blood is this; who died), which was a monologue by Iqbal Niyazi. It was a wonderful play focusing on the series bomb blasts which took place in local trains in Mumbai on 11th July 2006. It depicted how such kinds of terror acts affects the lives of the common man who have nothing to do with terrorism, fundamentalism and is concerned only with his bread and butter. It also highlighted how during these crisis a common man did not thought whether he is a Hindu or Muslim but served the injured victims by taking them to hospitals.

Another play on “Post Tsunami scenario A struggle by affected communities” was performed by Murasul cultural community from Tamil Nadu which depicted through its performances. It describes the “Panch Bhootas” (i.e. In Hindu religious scriptures, Panch bhootas constitute water, land, file, air and space), how human life is evolved, the deeds behind disaster, the normal life of the people, the impact of Tsunami, the rescue and relief, agony of the people and its aspirations.

Many street plays were performed depicting the message of peace plays from Premchand (a famous Hindi novelist, and who was secular in his writings) were performed. Plays on Kabir (a Sufi saint) were also performed. Thus, various forms of peace were depicted through these cultural expressions.

Seminars

Seminars were also held during the peace festival. Different topics on peace were chosen which were analysed and discussed. The seminars were interactive in nature. Various solutions were brought out to strengthen peace movement. The struggles carried out by people in different countries to bring out peace were highlighted. Speakers who presented their views were not only from India but also from different countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Norway. The participants who participated were also from different sectors of society representing anti-nuclear movement, anti-war movement, minorities from various countries, women, different faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, indigenous faith and other marginalized sections of the society.

Militaristic globalization and struggles for peace focused on defining and exploring globalization and its different dimensions the criticality of use of brute force by the US Empire, the current state of struggles and the strategies to combat.

Religion and culture: Source for peace or oppression focused on exploring the role of religions and indigenous cultures as resources for building peace struggles against oppressions or source of violence, oppression and gender injustice.

Cultural homogenization in a multi-cultural world dealt upon the cultural dimensions of globalization and also the majoritarian drives led by the nationalist forces to obliterate the little traditions—cultural identities of marginalized groups and communities.

Wars against women, women against wars focused on women, being made as targets of war be it big or small and women’s body used as domination at the site of violence and battlefield. It also explored how women were used as active subjects of history, agents to reshape it and just not as passive objects.

Struggles for Peace and Democracy in South and South East Asia explored on various struggles undertaken by different nations for bringing out peace and establishing democracy in South and South East Asia and it included struggles in Bangladesh, Philippines, Nepal,. Kashmir in India, Sri Lanka, etc.

Visions of peace explored peace in various religions, cultures, traditions and ideologies which were deliberated. Justice was central to all the visions expressed during the seminar. Acceptance of multicultural existence and gender justice was the core of the central theme of the seminar.

The seminar allowed ample time and space for the participants to share their concerns and experiences during the discussion that followed presentations by the speakers. The participants not only made comments but also expressed their views and also gave solutions about how the peace could be brought about. Some of the solutions, which arose from the discussion, include reforming United Nations, to build solidarities, resort to non-violence to mass mobilization, strengthening the democratic character. There cannot be peace without justice

Seminars helped us in understanding peace in a broader perspective, struggles carried out in different countries and the role of women during the violence.

Film Shows

During the International Peace Festival, film shows were also held. Many South Asian and Indian films relating to the peace were shown. Films from France, Iran, Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Israel, Pakistan were shown during the peace Festival.

America America directed by K.P. Sasi a 5mts film is a satirical but serve indictment of America’s role in escalating world conflict. It addressed the occupation of Iraq by America, made comments on various aspects of the American smooth relationship with fanatical and dictatorial regimes and questions the very nation of American peace and liberty.

Kitte Mil Ve Mahi a 72 mints film directed by Ajay Bharadwaj explores a unique bond between Sufism and Dalits. It also contended the dominant perceptions of the economic and spiritual heritage of Punjab and the implications of this absence and also the implications for those living in these realities.

Final solution 149mts documentary film directed by Rakesh Sharma documents the changing face of right-wing politics in India through a study of the 2002 Gujarat carnage. Final solution is anti-hate violence as “those who forget history are condemned to relive it”.

Search for Freedom 54mts film directed by Munizee Jahangir from Pakistan through the personal stories of four women Afghanistan’s history is depicted. Defying and clarifying the image of Afghan women as mere victims this movie offers a nuanced portrait of women who find choices where now are offered and who continue to find hope in the face of exile and isolation.

Apart from these many other films such as lines of Mahatma (20mts) film directed by R.V. Ramani, Vande Mataram (5mts) film directed by Amudhan R.P, Notes from the crematorium directed by Amudhan R.P, Nata (45mts) film directed by Anjali Monterio and K.P. Jayasankar, Assimilation no, Integration Yes (24mts) film directed by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (Pakistan), The Mall on Top of my House (6mts) animated film directed by Aditi Chitre, 1000 days and a dream (78mts) directed by P. Baburaj and C. Saratchandran, S E Z—A prelude to Anarchy (35mts) directed by Atul Pethe and NCAS, Autumns final country (66mts) directed by Sonia Jabbar, A F S P A 1958 (77mts) directed by Haobam Paban Kumar, Art in exile (37mts) film directed by Nidhi Tuli and Ashraf Abbas, Father, son and Holy war (120mts) directed by Anand Patwardhan. Many films were also shown about 11th September 2001 about the attacks on World Trade Centre (WTC).

The films shown during the international peace festival were carefully chosen and selected. Some of their stories portrayed peace, and the struggles undertaken by people in their own respective countries. Some of these movies depicted problems of the common man living in a cosmopolitan city, the fight against the multi-national companies such as coca-cola and many other such struggles.

Evening Performances

The highlight of the International Peace Festival was the evening Programmes.

Jo Seong-Jin, a South Korean mime artist gave a heart winning mime performance on peace for about 45 minutes.

TASAT from Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan performed a play on the plight of the immigrant workers and the difficulties and the Human Rights violations of immigrants. The artistes include Sok Kolyan, Hui-Fen Lee, Mon-Ki Hong, Phyao Su, Shawn Wu, Jui-Son Hsieh. Through their excellent play wherein the actors were not only from different countries but also were working amongst the migrants themselves. Language proved to be no barrier in communication between the audience which was mainly from India and the actors.

A musical concert was performed by Veena Mishra, “Aman Ki Pukar”, where old Hindi film songs based on the principles of Justice and Secularism were sung.

Shubha Mudgal renowned classical singer sang the verses of Sufi Saints like Kabir, Amir Khusrau on the theme of communal harmony in a semi classical style. Sufi Saints who came to India always advocated peace and preached the teaching “God is one but is expressed differently in different religions. “Allah is one but has got different names”.

Jhelum Paranjape a Mumbai based Odissi dancer and recipient of various prestigious award through her dance performance she questioned God about “Why today the world is with full of conflicts” thereby inspiring and reminding the audience that it was their duty to save the world from these conflicts and violence.

Mushairas (Urdu language poetry) were also held. Poetries on “Peace” were read by eminent poets such as Zafar Gorakpuri, Mumtaz Rashid, Tajdar Taj, Abdul Ahad Saaz, Irteza Nishad, Dr. Qasim Imam, Hamid Iqbal Siddiqui and Shahid Latif. The audiences were enthralled and regaled by these Mushairas.

Apart from this an Indian dance performance in the form of Ballet was performed by Malvika from Singapore. Through her ballet she depicted Iraq invasion by America, the innocent victims in various conflicts right from Ruwanda, Kosovo, Middle-East and all such violent conflicts being killed and removing the innocent dead victims from the graveyard and handing it over to the audience making the audience realize how it to be felt when innocent people are killed.

Apart from these, Manipuri dance was performed by Jhaveri sisters and a Hindi play “Ekjut” directed by Nadira Babbar was also performed. “Begum Jaan-ek Ahsaas Kal Aur Aaj” revolves around an extremely famous classical singer of yesteryears regarded as a living legend, her grand daughter and a journalist. The play is a reflection of the changing face of India from pre-independence days to its current state through Begum Jaan’s narration of various elements that occurred in her life. However, it is important to note that these performances captured the audience mind and their imagination.

On the third day, it was very interesting to see the opening of the evening programmes with the prayers delivered by Buddhist, Hindu and Christian. Assaji Thero from Inter-religious Peace Foundation, M.A.Sumanthikaran from National Christian Churches and Mr. Anthonymuthu.

A wonderful play was performed by Monis Ahmad and his group belonging to Indian People’s Theatre Association, Delhi Unit. In this play a man who lost his son in the communal riot adopts a Muslim boy a victim of communal riot and brings him as the Muslim. But the boy grows up and finds that Muslims are discriminated and looked down upon. He resorts to fundamentalism with contrast to his father’s ideology of Gandhi’s of non-violence. But later in the process he finds that fundamentalism does not lead to anywhere but it is the path of non-violence which is to be followed.

In this whole International Peace Festival apart from many organizations many volunteers also contributed a lot in making this festival successful. These volunteers were mainly students from colleges. Muslim students especially girls who have been deprived from the mainstream education, volunteered during this programme.

The audience during the festival included students from various colleges, particularly, Bhavans College where the Festival was held. The interesting thing of peace festival was that people who were not directly involved with the issue of peace took part in this festival. The people who came their to watch might be least concerned with the issue of peace but after coming to this festival he might have realized the importance of peace.

Apart from these programmes, there was a painting competition held in school on Peace and these paintings were exhibited during the festival. Peace monuments were made. Apart from these, victims of violence have put their stalls during the festival where they exhibited the handicrafts, and also exhibited books during this International Peace Festival.

Despite some organizational loopholes it was a good attempt on the part of the Forum for Justice and Peace to organize the peace festival and such festivals should be held at every state. The message of peace along with cultural traditions should be taken forward and spread all over the world.

A charter of peace was also discussed thoroughly and adopted at the end of the festival.

The Festival left a lasting impression in the minds of all those who were involved. Local media covered the festival with great interest and enthusiasm. Seeing the success of the festival, there is demand to continue with cultural activities and more such festival to be organized.

* The Mumbai Forum on Peace and Justice is composed of, among others, the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism; Movement for Peace and Justice; Focus on the Global South-India; Pakistan-India Forum for Peace and Democracy; National Council of Churches in India-Commission on Life, Justice and Peace; and Student Christian Movement of India.

The Mumbai Declaration on Peace and Justice: Agenda for Action - Statement of the Mumbai International Peace Festival
Photo Album: Mumbai International Peace Festival