A development initiative for South Asian Dance in the North West

Jeanne Summerfield's comments

Watching Bisakha engage with the Elders living at Kinsman Place Lodge in Surrey, BC was a joy! The Elders she conversed with were open and welcoming, not showing any reluctance as they might when meeting a stranger who is from a different culture from theirs, and speaks with a different accent. As she introduced herself to the participants in the Java Music Club lead by the staff Music Therapist, Bisakha met a man who was from Liverpool, close to her neighbourhood! The gentleman spoke of where he had lived, where his father had worked, and how his family had decided to emmigrate to Canada. Bisakha was familiar with the places he named, and the conversation carried on for several minutes. As some of the other members of the group observed this exchange, I could see that this man felt special, that he was able to stand out from the group, having this conversation with Bisakha. As the group continued, Bisakha was included in the dialogue, and shared a summer song, singing in Bengali, giving us all a chance to hear something unusual, and beautiful. The group members listened attentively, nodding and smiling as she explained the meaning.

As the group broke up at the end of the session, laughter, handshakes, and good wishes echoed down the hall.

When we visited the space that serves as art room/multipurpose space, there was a woman painting a miniature birdhouse. Bisakha admired her work, and the woman started speaking with Bisakha. It turned out that they could understand each other, though their languages were not exactly the same. Again, I could see that this woman was enjoying the conversation, and she had so much to say. Where she is living, there are few people who speak her language, and she does not speak English very well. Once again, Bisakha was able to provide an opportunity for the this elder artist to be heard, to feel special.


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