Deepal Shaw and Jail

Bollywood Actor Deepal Shaw had actively participated AVITOKO programs. She visited Byculla jail to celebrate her birthday with the kids of women jail inmates. She went to Yervada jail, Pune, where AVITOKO had organised an All Women Kavi Sammelan. Deepal had recited her poems along with others. A Times of India Report is placed below. You might have seen her in the film "A Wednesday", where she played the role of media reporter.

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The Times of India -Breaking news, views. reviews, cricket from across India

Deepal 'Baby Doll' Shaw meets jail inmates28 Mar 2006, 0936 hrs IST,IANSSMS NEWS to
MUMBAI: Deepal Shaw, nicknamed 'Baby Doll' after her sizzling video Kabhi aar kabhi paar , paid a visit to Byculla jail here recently and was deeply moved by her interaction with the inmates। "I went to the jail to interact with the prisoners and add some colour to their dull lives. I wanted them to relate to me as Deepal and not Deepal Shaw," she said.

She visited the jail as part of the Mumbai-based organisation AVITOKO, which works for the welfare of underprivileged children and prison inmates using theatre and art as a medium of change.

"I was surprised to see the condition of the cells. It was more like a hostel than a jail. That gave me a sense of relief. Jail inmates were waiting for me and greeted me with a smile. As it was her fist visit to a prison, Deepal says she interacted with the women inmates. She discussed their problems and also organised an acting workshop for them.

"Though they are cut away from our progressive world, they are aware of their responsibilities and even prepared scripts on AIDS awareness and female infanticide. Their strength to cope up with life was so inspiring. "For a while I forgot all my worries and pain. This was an enlightening and eye opening experience. By the end of my visit I was Deepal and not Deepal Shaw for them!"
साभार- टाइम्स आफ इंडिया

No verses barred in Kalyan jail

AVITOKO conducts creative activities for jail inmates of Mumbai and Pune. Though this is an old report, but it is important for us to know that people, who are behind the bars, not only need such type of creative activity, but they also participate creatively. 
Courtesy: DNA, Mumbai

No verses barred in Kalyan jail

Bhargavi Kerur
Saturday, October 08, 2005 23:56 IST

Saturday was an eventful day for the inmates of the Kalyan district jail as some of them with a poetic streak were given a chance to present their skills at a kavi sammelan held in the premises.
At the sammelan, eight undertrials took centre-stage and recited their creations. Ironically, they were penned in dark, dingy quarters with some of the budding poets being tried for snuffing out human lives.
Some of them may have got consolation from the fact that even if they were not ‘heard’ by the courts, people at least listened to them while they recited their poems. Others were convinced of conviction, but in their doomed existence, they were giving life to some creative pieces of literature in Marathi, Hindi and English.
The event was organised by Avitoko, an NGO working exclusively to promote recreational activities among jail inmates in Mumbai. It was attended by eminent poets like Akshay Jain, Om Prakash Tiwari, Hridayesh Mayank, Vageesh Saraswat, Yagya Sharma and Kavita Gupta.
Among the eight participants, five were women, who dwelt more on the problems of the materialistic world, while men shared their deepest and darkest emotions. Janaki Iyer expressed her thoughts on law and order and solving the issue of child labour through her verses. Shireen Jeleva described the plight of a suppressed woman in the society. Among the men, Kamlesh Patre described his emotions of undergoing a painful separation from his wife as he remained confined within the jail walls. A mature thought emerged from Praveen Bharucha, when he narrated that his life in jail has made him a human being.
The groundwork for the session was done by Jail Superintendent Vijay Bendre, who was inspired by similar kavi sammelans at Pune’s Yeravada Jail. “This is the best way to explore their hidden talents,” he said. The honorary secretary Vibha Rani of Avitoko said the NGO plans to publish the poems of the inmates in two months.

Cerativity- Beyond the bars and barriers.

I requested Ms. Sarita Chauhan and Sri Subodh Poddar. Sarita is a Delhi based artist, now settled in Mumbai. She is  a self taught artist. Having several group and solo shows of her paintings at Delhi and in Mumbai, she has crossed all the barriers and established herself with knowledge and grace. Subodh is an Ad Guru and highly creative. he had invented "Dance Scape" with the jugalbandi of art and dance. In his Dance Scape, dancers dance and he sketches with minimal lines. All renowned Indian Classical dancers had participated in his such innovative concept. Recently, he had worked with the dancer of Mohanjodado and exhibited his sculpture in Mumbai. Both of them accepted my request with life and support.

All paintings were there. I did not tell anything about them. Let them see, let them decide. It was an examination for me too, whether a small child's painting and a vetran's painting will stand before each other? Whether this jail inmate's art of work will attract these judges?

After so many rounds, they finally selected some paintings. I got aghashed. Painting, which was selected for FIRST prize was of a 4 year girl's painting. And the judges special prize was bagged by inmate's art of work. I simply cried. They became nervous- "What happened? Did we do something wrong? Tell us. We may change our decisions too. Its just selection round. We can rethink on our results."

"Nothing to be done. Unknowingly you both had stamped on my faith that creativity are beyond the bar of age, atmosphere, class, creed, richness and poverty. The 4 year old girl, who won the FIRST Prize was a slum girl and judge's Special Prize was won by a jail inmte.

Result were declared. Winners were informed. Date for prize distribution was decided. It was 15th May- World Family Day. AVITOKO was established on May 1st- on International Labour Day. And celebration of our faith will be on World Family Day.

This was not a big issue. The main thing was that how the inmate will get awarded?  

Work of Art from Jail

After announcing Art Competition in open catagory, I started waiting for views,comments and of course, entries. I got very bitter remarks that how a 4 year child will stand before a 44 years old veterans? I was told, that in the name of art, you are making us fool. Some said, this will not get successful. My fingers were crossed. I was just waiting. In spite of people's comments and reactions, entries started coming from all over India.
One fine day, I got a call from the Jailer of Thane Central Jail- "Madam! We had seen advertisement of your Art Competition. We have one inmate name Ramesh Owle. He is very good in art. He is a very good man too. He had participated in various programs and competitions and he scored every where. We request to accept his entry also". He was a littele apprehensive that whether a prisoner can participate or not.
I heard him pateintly and told that this competition is open for all. So, each and every person of this earth is entitled to participate in it.
He sent his entry.  It was a pencil sketch. A highly professional lines and sketch. I dont know any thing about art and drwaing, but to see that work, I was very happy. I was sure that certainly this work would be liked by the judges. But what will happen, if it wont liked by them?
Positive-negative-both thoughts came into my mind. but, I did not care. I just thought- "let stipulated period get over. Let me request some artists to judge these entries. .........

Door of jail opened

I was about to write a letter to jail authority, but I was very hesitant and scared. Like any common man, I was also thinking that jail is the place more than a hell. People, living behind this four wall are ruthless, hard core criminals and not to be contactable. My fear was also that how will I interact with them when I will come across to them? Kiran Bedi had just told me to write to the authority, but how? Niether she told me, nor I could ask.
In the meantime, AVITOKO conducted an Art Competition in open means in only one category. It was the first year, may be year 2002. AVITOKO used to do unconventional acts. In this art competition, only one category was kept for all age group. People got surprised. Some said, it is just a farce. How can a 4 year old child compete with a 40 year old person? We very often claim that we are unconventional, but given a chance, we try to avoid to be. But we did. And you will be pleased to note that the 1st prize winner of this competition was literally a four year girl only. She compete with veterans and secure her 1st place.
For this competition, we got a call from Thane Central Jail saying that their one of the inmates is highly talented in art field and he wants to participate in this competition. So, they are sending his entry. Till date, we were thinking that like inmates, jail authorities may also be very cruel and rude. Thanks to our Hindi films. But here a jail officer, not less than with a capacity of jailer himself is calling and willingly sending one inmates entry? We thought, that really, if God is there, he really helps those, who help themselves. AVITOKO wanted to be with inmates and chance automatically knocked its door.
And thus the door of jail opened for AVITOKO.....!
,,,Continued...  

Me and Kiran Bedi

It was 2001. I was in process to actualise my concept for my social responsibility. Being a writer, I felt that I am taking my characters from this society only, yet I am not doing any favor to them. Common man are favorite for writers or for any creative person. I was not an acception. My characters of my stories are from the real life. I weave their stories with the blending of imagination.
After 1st May, 2001, I started thinking that which class is most vulnerable? In philosophycal way, it can be said that each and every peerson is deprived by some other ways. But, here my motto was very clear. I thought, thought and thought.
I am very much impressed with Kiran Bedi. My employer once had invited her for their programme. I was given an opportunity to shake hands with Kiran. The whole day, I was very excited.
Perhaps, in 2002, I got an opportunity to meet and talk to Kiran once again. Place was Chennai. She had come to attend one forum, which is meant for PSUs. Around 1000 women's were gathered over there. I saw, how they were rushing to her to meet her, to talk to her, to get her autograph, to get a snap with her. I too wanted, but my small town mentality stopped me. But at the same time, I was in search of an opportunity to talk to her, as I was thinking to get my line of social responsibility.
During the meet, Kiran went to wash room. Yes! this is the time. No, please, dont get confused. When Kiran left for washroom, some other speaker was delibarating her thoughts. She was equally liked by others. So every one was engrossed with her speech. I just stood near main entrance. It was a huge hall and I knew that it will take at least 2-3 minutes to Kiran to reach to the dais. And it was true. When she returned from wash room and entered in the Hall, I just grabbed her- "I met you in Mumbai. My employer had invited you. You gave a very impressive talk. I had a photo with you." She was just nodding her head. Might be thinking that what a useless lady I am. But it was my preface to come to main topic. I said, I have read a lot about you and your work in Tihar jail and I want to do something for jail inmates. I am staying in Mumbai and I want to do something there for jail inmates. Please, let me know whether I can?"
She now smiled, and said-"Yes, yes. You can very much do. Its very good that you are thinking for them. You can do, if you want. No one can stop you."
"Procedure?"
"Very simple. Write a letter to jail authority by elaborating your plan, programmes and the way of execution."
........... -Continued....

Jail Diary from AVITOKO

Jail is a very relative term. People think upon the jail made by the system to maintain law and order- a high boundary campus, where people, committed various crimes are kept. They are actual criminals or are made of, who knows? Yes, at present, we are also thinking the same.

AVITOKO is a socio-cultural Organisation. Its concept is a Better World Tomorrow. It is working with male, female jail inmates and with the children of women jail inmates, who live inside the jails along with their mothers from 2003 through art, theatre, literature. With the philosophy of "Rang Jeevan" (Theatre & Art for Life), AVITOKO puts an effort to bring a smile on the faces of jail inmates. Working through these cultural opponents, AVITOKO sows the seeds of art, theatre and culture into their minds. It wakes up their creative urges, turns their imaginations into reality and try to make them happy and satisfied.

With this Jail Diary, it will be our endeavor to bring lives and experiences of jail inmates through AVITOKO's activities. We would be very happy to find you with us. Your feedback will help us to serve them better.

Jail inmates are the most vulnerable and most deprived people. Being a part of society, its our responsibility to see their lives with a deep thought and try to create a person within a person.