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DEEPAGAM (Don Bosco Catechetical Centre for Faith and Value Education) and Youth Ministry jointly organized first folk arts training camp for INM Province’s Youth from May 18, 2024 to May 22, 2024 at Don Bosco Youth Animation Center (DBYAC), Ennore on Culture and Youth Empowerment using Folk Arts to spread the salvific gospel of Jesus Christ.

The vision of the program (titled, Kalai-vazhi Yirai-mozhi) is empowering the youth to form groups and movements in the parishes and institutions to conscientize the people with culture and tradition, thus engage in Cultural Catechesis and Youth Formation - a Salesian priority ministry for the young (Kalai-vazhi Yirai-mozhi is evangelization of culture through cultural catechesis).

DBYAC is situated in the suburbs of Chennai by the shores of Bay of Bengal; and so, it still retains the pristine environmental footprints of the past, despite the presence of industrial and power plants, nearby. Hence, it is a suitable place for personal and community reflection and activities.

Seventy-eight High School and Higher Secondary School children from five parishes namely Polur, Jolarpet, Maranodai, Pavunjur, and Vyasarpadi (of Vellore, Tirupattur, Pondicherry and Chennai regions) were sent to attend the five-day folk arts training camp by the parish priests and Salesian institutes.

Ten trainers belonging to Bheem Vetri Folk Cultural and Research Trust, Tiruvannamalai and Saga Silambam Kalaikoodam (Periyakavanam) Ponneri, Chennai conducted the folk arts training camp through the coordination of Fr. John Christy, (Director, Youth Ministry) and Fr. Jesudoss (Director, Deepagam). The children were divided into five groups namely Karl Marx, Thanthai Periyar, Annal Ambedkar, Ayothithasa Pandithar and Rettaimalai Srinivasan. They were subjected to rigorous training on folk dances for four days by the volunteer trainers from Bheem Vetri (Tiruvannamalai) and Saga Silambam (Chennai) groups.

Children were highly spirited and showed keen interest in variegated dance performance assigned for them. It should be kept in mind that the dance performances were first imparted without play-back songs for three-days or so. The trainers were seen demanding, yet the children were able to cope with stress and be positive in their training, in spite of tiresome physical strains.

Bheem Vetri introduced Parai Aattam, Oyil Aattam, Karagaattam, Kollaattam, Periya Kombaattam, Saatai Kuchi Aattam, Kummiyaattam, Vedar Aattam, Kaliyal Aattam, Lezim Dance (Maharashtra), and Baduga Dance (Nilgiris) for the boys and girls. Saga Silambam Kalaikoodam trained our school children with trendy Mime acting and ancient Silambaattam.

For five-days, the trainers prepared the children to perform dances for folk songs on topics such as saving nature, importance of agriculture, preservation of land, water resources and so on.

Apart from all dance performances, the right spirit of the program is living together as community; many children were happy for the opportunity to live together in new community, finding new friends and relationship. This was unique and first-of-a-kind experience for them. Though there were no catechetical input sessions, the camp gave glimpse of Becchi experience for all participants. This was evident in everyday feedback-sharing sessions before retiring to bed and brief recreation times during the day. Participating youth and trainers were open and sincere - without reservation - to point out the issues and also appreciate one another. After non-stop dance trainings, the day usually concluded by goodnight talk and a short prayer. The future youth community was comprised of all ages and classes. A small number of youth from Ennore also took part in this training camp. Among the budding youth participants, there were also few adults (village women and a young school teacher) who shared-in the community life with the camp children.

The training camp was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Edwin Vasanthan (INM Economer) on May 18, 2024, which was concluded by Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu (Rector, DBYAC) on May 22, 2024. The program was approved by Rev. Fr. Provincial and his Council, while Surabi (Social Action ministry) sponsored it.

During the concluding ceremony, Fr. Jesudoss thanked the Provincial and his Council, the parish priests who sent their children and the Folk Art Trainers. A female visitor, who was present during the concluding session pointed out to all, St John Bosco’s message: “Do good while still you have time” imprinted on the children’s jersey; she appreciated very much the professional-like Folk Art dance performances of the camping children. Fr. John Christy introduced to the children, all the trainers, Deepagam team and Ennore volunteers.

Samina (STD XII) from Pavunjur thanked Fr. Rector and Community (DBYAC) for nourishing meal and hospitality, the program organizers and trainers. Both Fr. Jesudoss and Fr. Christy distributed certificates to all the participating children and everyone took group photo prior to their last fellowship lunch, before departing to their respective homes. 

The quitehood of DBYAC will be missing the foot stomping, patter of hilarity, natural exuberance and cheerful atmosphere created by the groups of children in the Centre. Yet, the resolute step towards truly evangelizing mission has been taken-up, beginning with laity and non-Christian collaboration in the Salesian evangelization.