Sriram V. Ayer

Sriram V. Ayer is the Founder & CEO of NalandaWay Foundation, a nonprofit that works with children from challenging situations from the poorest districts in India, helping them raise their voices and issues through theatre, visual arts, music, dance, radio and films. Elected an Ashoka Fellow in 2006, Sriram Ayer emphasizes on the need for introducing the component of empathy in the existing education system and bridging the gap between a child’s perceived intelligence quotient and hidden emotional quotient. His organization NalandaWay seeks to develop a sense of self-importance and individuality, encourage self-expression and stimulate imagination among underprivileged children in India through its arts-based programmes. The idea is therefore to usher in a systemic change in the way education is perceived and delivered to children from low-income groups and help them 'Achieve through Arts'

Biography

Sriram in his earlier assignment worked for a leading technology firm in Chennai, India as the Head of New Initiatives from 1998 to 2004. He was responsible for Product development, Advertising, and International Marketing at the firm. In August 2004, Sriram quit his job to work full-time with Nalandaway Foundation which he had founded in December 2003.

Sriram holds a Post Graduate qualification in Advertising and Communications and was elected an Ashoka Fellow in 2006. He was also recently elected as the "Architect of the Future" by Waldzell Institute, Vienna, Austria. Currently, he is involved full-time in the management of NalandaWay Foundation.

Work

NalandaWay seeks to develop a sense of self-importance and individuality, encourage self-expression and stimulate imagination among disadvantaged children through its art programmes. The objective is to help kids ‘ACHIEVE THROUGH ARTS’ (ATA) because arts experiences offer children opportunities to:

Imaginatively, explore, express and communicate ideas, feelings and experiences Critically reflect upon and find personal meaning by engaging the senses, feelings and imagination Engage in creative problem-solving Develop creative talents through spatial, rhythmic, visual and kinesthetic awareness Develop self-awareness and understanding of their own and others’ cultures, values and attitudes Expand life skills such as conflict resolution, negotiation and teamwork Acquire knowledge, skills and learning essential for success in further study of arts NalandaWay’s training approach uses participatory art forms as its core content to facilitate communication, aid creativity, help in self-discovery and develop social responsibility among children through the following initiatives: - Structured Art Education NalandaWay has followed a structured approach towards art education for children by developing an Art Curriculum of its own. The framework includes grade-specific activities that use mind mapping techniques to help students visualize, express, study and organize ideas and information through art. In addition, NalandaWay also empowers teachers by conducting art workshops to help them create a joyful learning environment for students. These workshops are primarily designed to help teachers expand upon the creativity of their students and provide for concurrent learning in other areas through painting, craftwork, music and theatre exercises. Children from marginalized areas are therefore better engaged through art and become more involved with their academics – which ultimately leads to a reduction of disruptive behaviour among them and also decreases dropout rates and absenteeism in schools.

- Kanavu Pattarai

A ‘workshop of dreams’ in Tamil, Kanavu Pattarai is an inspiring three day residential camp organized for disadvantaged children between the ages of 13-16. Here, students are trained by our facilitators in a variety of applied theatre forms like advanced role-play, improvisation, creative games and exercises, storytelling and other participatory training techniques. The aim of the workshop is to instill self-esteem and a sense of belonging among children from different socio-economic backgrounds through the medium of art.

- Art Labs

The ‘Art Lab’ is an initiative of NalandaWay Foundation that aims at mobilizing talented children from areas around Chennai Schools to undergo intense training from expert artists. The Corporation of Chennai has proposed the setting up of 10 such Art Labs in Chennai Schools for the current financial year- of which 3 have already been set up for teaching fine arts. Seven others are likely to be set up later in the year- of which 5 will be dedicated towards teaching the performing arts like dance, drama and music and the other two for pottery, ceramics & sculpture.

- Short Term Training Programmes

To promote a structured approach towards art education, NalandaWay has also conducted several short-term training programmes across India. These training programmes have provided marginalized children in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir with the opportunity to learn various art forms. Workshops on filmmaking, photography, dance, drama, folk music and storybook creation have ultimately helped these children communicate their ideas, interests and issues.

- Art events & festivals

NalandaWay's Art Arattai Aarpattam is an annual children's art, music, theatre and film festival. It provides a space for children and their families to discover new experiences of the arts, to express themselves, to experiment with new ideas, to challenge boundaries, to be inspired, and to have fun together. Over 1 million children have directly benefitted through the festival’s five editions conducted from 2008 to 2012.

- OrangeStreet

"OrangeStreet.in" is an online initiative of NalandaWay Foundation that allows any individual or NGO in India to raise funds for social projects. The platform provides users with fundraising tools that help individuals and organizations create campaigns for social change and seek funding from friends, employees, family members and the donor community at large. Since its inception in February 2012, OrangeStreet.in has promoted several campaigns to support children, women, disability, HIV/AIDS, performing arts, documentaries, concerts, books, environment etc.