The Joy of Connecting through Arts: Arts Practices for Inclusion at Pallium India
Arts Practices for Inclusion (API)
Arts Practices for Inclusion (API) is a unique course offered by Snehadhara Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Bangalore. Under API, students are trained in the therapeutic benefits of multiple art forms including visual arts, music/rhythm, play, drama and dance/movement to foster social inclusion. As opposed to the typical art-based therapy courses that primarily focus on health-related outcomes, API aims at societal and systemic changes. API practitioners are trained to work with vulnerable groups and help them feel included in the larger society.
When I was offered the opportunity to learn API on behalf of Pallium India, it felt like a perfect fit. Having an innate interest in visual arts and personal experiences of its therapeutic value, I was already using visual arts in my interactions with patients and caregivers at Pallium India. So, being formally trained in this field was a jackpot. Simultaneously, for Pallium India’s multidisciplinary team that was working towards the common goal of improving the quality of life for patients and their families, API was like adding another string to our bow. This was a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Bringing API to Pallium India
I was part of the 7th API batch and our course began with the first set of contact sessions in February 2024 at the Snehadhara campus in the outskirts of Bangalore. These sessions were fully packed with experiential learning and we realized the beauty and power of inclusion; of how being truly included made us feel better about ourselves and the space around us. More importantly we were demonstrated how to create inclusive spaces for everyone.
As the name of the course ‘Arts Practices for Inclusion’ suggests, the major part of the course involves students ‘practising arts’ for inclusion, under the guidance and supervision of mentors. Thus, from the beginning we had to work with our beneficiary groups for specific goals in line with social and emotional well-being and inclusion. Art is nothing less than a language. So it felt similar to learning a new language and using it for communication.
The real challenge began when I returned to Pallium India after the first contact sessions and started doing the API sessions with patients and their families. What worked seamlessly when done by the mentors at Snehadhara, looked disastrous when I tried them. For instance, storytelling activities done in our contact sessions always made us laugh out loud but in my group, the stories helplessly dropped into depressive themes or an intimidating silence. While such contrasts left me feeling defeated initially, with more practice I realised that these contrasts added more value to the sessions. I learned to embrace unpleasant responses as honest expressions. The more I worked with different art forms, it became clearer that arts very well served as a safe container for all these expressions and when the right space was created for people to share their true selves, inclusion was a natural outcome.
The Magic of Inclusion
Instances where I saw people smile and laugh amidst all their pain felt nothing less than miracles. Although I would doubt and blame myself every time I faced challenges, these instances keep me going forward.
The music/rhythm sessions brought in some of the most fulfilling experiences. These sessions involved the use of percussion instruments (djembe, frame drums, tambourines, shakers, etc) with/without singing. The participants almost always responded with excitement and curiosity in using these instruments and creating music together. On one occasion I got a group of mothers (caregivers) for a rhythm session. Given the right opportunity and space, with a little bit of guidance, the ladies started drumming together and created beautiful rhythms, surprising themselves. The sense of accomplishment and pride that was evident in their eyes was truly precious.
Another unforgettable experience was with an elderly mother(caregiver) over 90 years old and hard of hearing. She was invited to one of our rhythm sessions. Initially she looked confused, not being able to understand the instructions. But as soon as she picked up the rhythm, looking at each of us, she jumped in excitement, clapping her hands to match the beat. She started singing along and leading the whole group in creating music. This time, more than the music, what connected us was the joy of watching her unmatched enthusiasm and passion.
There were many profound moments where participants seemed to truly connect with one another. In those instances, as they began to see themselves reflected in each other and share in one another’s experiences, a sense of oneness emerged—gently dissolving individual differences. To be able to regularly partake in these moments is indeed a blessing that I have as an API practitioner.
Completing the API course has only marked the beginning of a new journey of inclusion and in every step forward, there is immense gratitude to all those who supported me at Pallium India including the staff, the patients, the caregivers and the volunteers.
At Pallium India, we serve individuals and families who are challenged by serious illnesses, very often coupled with financial crises. In most cases they feel rejected by society. Rather than turning away from them, we turn towards them, ease their pain, wipe their tears and help them feel that they matter. In the past two years, as a psychologist at Pallium India, I have closely interacted with those enduring an unimaginable amount of suffering. On many occasions, I’ve realized that words often fall short of capturing the depth of their experience. And I’ve wondered—if words can’t fully convey their suffering, how can we expect words alone to offer comfort? This is where I found refuge in Arts.
Nancy Mariam Mondly
(Counselling Psychologist at Pallium India)
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