Inspired by the flight of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”
I believe I can fly: Scenes from Jugnu. Pix by Indika Handuwala
On Wednesday, August 23, children and young adults with special needs from the Shankar Foundation in India and the Sunera Foundation in Sri Lanka celebrated their artistry with passion and vigour in an evening of dance, music and drama.
The programme was supported by the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo and was aimed at strengthening the cultural co-operation between the two countries.
The students of Shankar Foundation, India took the stage first with a musical rendition of Richard Bach’s poignant book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” they simply titled “Jugnu”. The story revolves around a happy-go-lucky seagull by the name of Jugnu.
Immediately audiences were aware that Jugnu was not your average seagull. He is constantly seized with the passion of taking flight – an attribute frowned upon by the other seagulls. The musical explores Jugnu’s conflict with conforming to the norms of society whilst also following his calling.
The play was fun-filled with Bollywood dance moves, some toe tapping songs and a moving story line. Ultimately as the story unravels Jugnu decides to follow his heart and take flight, allowing him to reach his freedom and revel in his own self-discovery; however facing numerous challenges.
Eventually exiled from society for his inability to conform, we see Jugnu happily flapping his wings seeing his exile with a sense of positivity. The play is filled with worldly wisdom with phrases like “We all make choices, and it is our choice to make our shortcomings our strength” uttered by the younger seagulls allowing Jugnu to realize that you can’t force everyone to accept you. The musical finally ends on a positive note with the Seagull tribe accepting Jugnu and his friends ending on a messages of self-belief and determination.
The students of the Sunera Foundation then followed with an innovative dance item. Adorned in colourful Kandyan dance costumes the students proudly showcased their culture.
Ending the evening’s festivities was a segment titled “Voice of Autism” – three moving songs by a student from the Shankar Foundation, each note vibrating in the hearts of his audience as he expertly played the organ whilst singing.
There was not a dry eye in the audience as the first song of the evening “Mother of Mine” was dedicated to the mothers ,of whom the student’s father who accompanied him on stage, said “they are the caregivers, constant companions and who sacrifice their lives for their children”.
The father and son duo jointly composed the music for a poem written by the late Indian President Dr.Abdul Kalaam. This song had been presented at a special programme for the Shankar Foundation. The student’s father added, “It’s a song that speaks of a legacy and represented a future for India.” The last song for the evening “Accept me as I am” was described by the father as “the cry of every autistic child” and was a moving rendition.
Showcasing our culture: Sunera’s Kandyan dancers