A development initiative for South Asian Dance in the North West

Testimonials

I am so delighted that you have been recognised and funded to continue developing 'Fleeting Moments' with people who have dementia. The work you do has been acknowledged and valued because of the beneficial impact on lives affected by the fragility that dementia inflicts on brain and body function. This is ground-breaking and pioneering work that builds capacity, that preserves self-agency, that calms and soothes, and that excites and energises. Dance and movement has a huge potential to arrest or retard the progression of dementia symptoms by stimulating new neuron connections and pathways in any brain physiology that is experiencing accelerated brain cell destruction. Neuro-degenerative disease can be powerfully and usefully addressed through simple, joyful dance, movement and storytelling. Your leadership in dance, story, movement and philosophy makes a big difference in the lives of everyone that you touch. I have met people who have experienced improved mood, decreased agitation, reduced anxiety and a heightened sense of peace. You have made a big difference in my life too.

Larry Gardiner

Yesterday went to Liverpool to play music for a dance/movement session for people living with Parkinson's disease led by Bisakha Sarker. We've done hundreds of sessions together over the years in nurseries, schools, hospitals, day/care centres, with dance and theatre companies, to people facing death. It's always fresh, always creative, always joyful. At the end of yesterday she asked me to play some Bamboo flute, she listened for a while then started to move, and for the next few minutes, danced what I can only describe as the essence of beauty, spontaneous and uncontrived, embodying something that only living a life 
fully devoted to dance could reveal. The pointing of a finger, opening of a hand, turn of a wrist, extension of an arm, lengthening of the back, placement of a foot, the glance of an eye, all say so much. Everybody in the room was spellbound, which again I've witnessed countless times, and when I spoke to her afterwards, she didn't even know!!! No performance, no dancer, no show, just hearing music and moving, pure.
I've seen her touch, inspire and light up thousands of peoples lives by communicating through her being and her art, she is a jewel that is incredibly precious, I love her very much and I'm humbled and honored to be her musician, Chris

I am so delighted that you have been recognised and funded to continue developing 'Fleeting Moments' with people who have dementia. The work you do has been acknowledged and valued because of the beneficial impact on lives affected by the fragility that dementia inflicts on brain and body function. This is ground-breaking and pioneering work that builds capacity, that preserves self-agency, that calms and soothes, and that excites and energises. Dance and movement has a huge potential to arrest or retard the progression of dementia symptoms by stimulating new neuron connections and pathways in any brain physiology that is experiencing accelerated brain cell destruction. Neuro-degenerative disease can be powerfully and usefully addressed through simple, joyful dance, movement and storytelling. Your leadership in dance, story, movement and philosophy makes a big difference in the lives of everyone that you touch. I have met people who have experienced improved mood, decreased agitation, reduced anxiety and a heightened sense of peace. You have made a big difference in my life too.  Larry Gardiner 

Dear friend, your dance was heaven. You could have heard a pin drop, and the feeling that people longed too to join in. What a terrific start to the arts. Evaluations loved it. How lucky we are that you performed. The trustees of Arts 4 Dementia wish me to thank you very much, and I join in thanks from the bottom of my heart.

To: Bisakha
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 6:48 PM
Subject: Gosh, your dance was heaven

Dear friend, your dance was heaven. You could have heard a pin drop, and the feeling that people longed too to join in. What a terrific start to the arts. Evaluations loved it. How lucky we are that you performed.
We are editing film to show on our website.
The trustees of Arts 4 Dementia wish me to thank you very much, and I join in thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Veronica

Bisakha came to work with my year six class at Matthew Arnold Primary School on Tuesday 26th February, 2008. She immediately put them at ease with her enthusiasm and expertise at building up a rapport with them and a narrative for the dance activities. The class consisted of 21 children altogether, 13 boys and 8 girls. Some of the children have sometimes previously found it difficult to express themselves creatively in dance. However, the dance workshop put everyone at ease and all the children participated fully. We retold the story of 'the stonecutter', where the main character in the story found out 'it is good to be me'. This message fitted in perfectly with our Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) topic, which the children picked up on quickly and happily. Bisakha created an atmosphere in which the children could express themselves playfully but with focus without losing face or feeling embarassed. Also, being a predominantly white school, Bisakha's Indian heritage and the subsequent questions posed by some of the young people (for example, about her bindi) helped them understand some cultural differennces with insight and respect. All in all, the workshop was a huge success and enabled the class to aid their preparation for a life of challenge, discipline and respect.

Ali Harwood

From: paul journeaux

Subject: Indian dance - wow what a week!

Hello all

Thank you so much to everyone involved in the indian dance week - it was a great success.
The comments we have had from both staff and children really have been overwhelming.
I must say a huge thank you to Bisakha and Kali and in particular to Yasmine who has made all of this possible.
The enthusiasm and flexibility of all staff has been wonderful and the children have got so much out of this week.
Sarah Bisson at Grands Vaux has come up with a fantastic way to feedback and evaluate the week. She has been getting the children to write a little bit about the week, things they enjoyed and most importantly what they learned during the sessions, They also illustrated the work. It would be really useful if schools who took part could do a similar exercise - this would allow ourselves and the dancers the opportunity to evaluate the week and give us a powerful tool to show potential funders next year!! If this is possible that would be great.
I would also be grateful if any staff involved could email or send me some rough evaluation ideas of what worked well, what they would change etc.. and will collate all the ideas and send an evaluation to each school and the dancers - this would be very useful for next year.

thank you again to all host schools and participants - i hope you had as good a time as I did.

take care
Paul

On Wednesday 5th May, Residents, Visitors and Staff at Amberleigh House, an EMI nursing home, Fazakerley, Liverpool, were treated to a fascinating demonstration of Indian Dance and Music. Our dancers were Bisakha and Mona, accompanied by Chris on drums and flute.

The dancers were attired in colourful Indian costume, which held attention. Bisakha opened her show, demonstrating some hand movements, and clapping sequences, inviting audience participation and interaction. Whilst doing so she mingled, through her audience, speaking with them and touching their hands, Those residents able to copy her hand movements and clapping, were actively participating and enthralled by this new experience.

Bisakha then introduced each dance, with an explanation of the story, upon which each dance was based. Doing so gave a better insight, thereby enhancing everybody’s better understanding of Indian dance and music.

The show, was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. It was amazing, to see that residents who wouldn’t sit for a long duration, did so for this show. Similarly staff and residents remarked that the show motivated some residents, who weren’t known to participate in group activities. This was wonderful and was evidence of the effect that the show had on them, capturing their normal short term attention.

Such was our enjoyment of the show and its uniqueness, for us all, that we hope that Bisakha, Mona and Chris will be able to visit us again soon.

David

I have had a look at your website and am absolutely amazed! It is so beautiful and full of fascinating information - I will certainly spend more time looking at it.

Looking forward to remaining in touch.
With very best wishes,
Kate