BALI STORYTELLLERS FESTIVAL

MOTHER SHAMAN, NEPAL

Buddhi Maya Lama (Aama Bombo) is a renowned shaman and one of the 13 grandmothers of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, a global alliance that teaches ancestral ways of prayer, education, and healing.

Aama was born in the remote village of Melong in the Eastern part of the Bagmati Zone, Nepal. Her father was a revered shaman in the Nepalese Tamang tradition. He initially restricted Aama from practicing shamanism, but after he died, his spirits and other gods and spirits started visiting and teaching Aama. Despite the Tamang tradition that women are not supposed to practice shamanism, Aama herself became a shaman, too.

Today, Aama is internationally known for her work as a healer and as one of the 13 grandmothers. Her clients travel from around the country, as well as from India and Tibet to her house in Boudhnath, near Kathmandu, where she treats an estimated 100 patients each morning. From the very poor to the Royal Family of Nepal, she treats her clients with equal dedication and respect.

www.grandmotherscouncil.org

BIOGRAPHY OF PARVATHY BAUL

Parvathy Baul is a practitioner, performer and teacher of the Baul tradition from Bengal, India. She is also an instrumentalist, storyteller and painter. She has performed in over a dozen countries, including such prestigious concert halls and music festivals as the Noh Theater in Kyoto, the World Music Center in New York City, and the Festival of World Sacred Music in Fez, Morocco. Parvathy’s technical virtuosity – her mastery of vocal pitch and tone while playing multiple instruments and dancing – has been lauded by music experts, while the overall impact of her performance has been described by critics as “riveting” and “spellbinding.” She is the founder of Tantidhatri, an international women’s performance festival, and co-founder of the EktaraKalari school in Kerala, India for training in both song and traditional spiritual practice.

Parvathy’s performance work emerges from a long lineage of master Baul singers, dancers, and spiritual teachers. The Baul tradition of devotional folk songs dates back to 8 th Century A.D. Baul songs are revered by Bengalis and others around the world and have been declared a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. Parvathy studied closely with two of the most respected Baul singer-gurus of the previous generation, Sri Sanatan Das Thakur Baul and Sri Shoshanko Goshai.

She was recognized by Sanatan Das Baul as both a musical and spiritual teacher in the Baul tradition, carrying forwardhis spiritual legacy. While fully embodying traditional Baul music and practice, Parvathy is also renowned for her continued efforts in renewing this ancient heritage. As the most recognized woman Baul performer in the world, she is making systematic training in traditional Baul arts available to women on a scale that has never occurred previously. She is a tireless advocate for both preservation and renewal of the tradition, frequently using her international reputation to highlight other, lesser-known master performers.

Parvathy has recorded two CDs of music and published a book on the Baul tradition through EkataraKalari, her non-profit institution promoting ancient Indian spiritual traditions, with an emphasis on Baul arts and practice. The co-founder of EktaraKalari is her husband Sri Ravi Gopalan Nair, with whom she has also collaborated on numerous woodcut prints capturing various elements of Baul life

http://ekatharakalari.org

BIOGRAPHY OF SEEMA KOHLI

Born in 1960,Seema Kohli has created her own niche in the world of contemporary art since past 35 years. Her creative repertoire is eclectic, encompassing a wide range of mediums ranging from painting, murals, experiential installation performances, films to installations, sculptures and each a unique expression of her style. She has over time has brought a synergy of her unique sensibilities and her art. Working with oils on canvas, inks, mixed mediums, ceramics and printmaking, her work has redefined the basic contours of figurative art in India, finding admirers across the planet. Gifted as she is with a prolific brush of creative energy Kohli moved through the ‘Unborn Series’ and finally arrived at ‘The Golden Womb’ or the ‘Hiranya Garbha Koham’ series that propelled her into an orbit of her own. Her work captures in its entirety the perpetual change, order, strength and fragility, colors and rhythm, melody and exuberance of the elemental world. It talks about the creation, the cosmic journey, of the oneness of being and the final liberation in relation to the golden womb or hiranyagarbha.

Seema Kohli has had over 30 solo show in Venice, Brussels, Melbourne, NY, Dubai, Singapore Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and many more. Has participated in International Biennale (Venice, Shanghai, India), Art fairs (Hong Kong, Basel, Beijing, Madrid, India) Her work can be seen as public art as murals of 10’ x 100’ at the T3 Delhi International Airport, Mumbai International/Domestic Airport, the Defense Ministry, Tata Residency, Manipal University, ONGC, Tata Center of Excellence, Park Hyatt, Chennai, Lila Hotel-Delhi, Bangalore and many more.

She has had interactive session and experiential performances at WuWei Wisdom Santuary Bali 2016, Venice Biennale 2015, TedEx Chennai 2013, WIN Conference Rome 2012, Prague 2013,India 2014/2016; NGMA Bangalore 2010, 2012 etc. She has received the Gold at Florence Biennale 2009,1 Premio "Video, the YFLO Women Achiever’s Award, the LKA Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in 2008. Her works are a part of various private and public Melinda Bill Gates Foundation, Museums including Rubin’s Museum and MOSA-Brussels, Kochi Museum of Arts and many more. Seema Kohli Oct 2016

http://www.seemakohli.com

BIOGRAPHY OF AURELIO C. HAMMER

Aurelio joins us from Auroville, India. Aurelio born in 1960 in Austria, describes himself as a communal artist and innovative activist. Has studies in linguistics and music ethnology, followed by explorations in music and consciousness, harmonic science and music therapy. Living since almost 20 years in Auroville,South India he gained experience in project administration, community building and social enterprise. At the core of the interest and work stands the transformative power of sound and studies, research and practise in Nada Yoga and Integral Psychology.

In recent years Aurelio initiated an art project for village children and produced cross cultural theatre and dance performances, which led to the foundation of ”Mohanam Cultural Center”( www.mohanam.org) in a local village. He directs Svaram, a Vocational Training and Music Research Station, (www.svaram.org) and develops new musical instruments and music ceremonies. He works with sound healing modalities and active participatory music therapy settings in Verite Integral Learning Center, where he also utilizes a good collection of world musical instruments in individual and group work. Currently he is exploring collaborations in India and Asia following the adoption of Svaram’s work in a UNO presented paper on “Music as a natural resource – Music in community building” and is in communication with organizations in Craft development, Music education and Music therapy. Aurelio has widely traveled offering programs and workshops on “A Sound Approach to Life” in various settings and formats

http://www.svaram.org

BIOGRAPHY OF SHILO SHIV SULEMAN

Shilo Shiv Suleman is a visual artist with a focus on the intersection of magical realism, art for social change and technology. In most recent years, she's been engaging with biofeedback technology, and the interaction between the body and art. She has created large scale installations that beat with your heart, apps that react to your brainwaves and sculptures that glow with your breath. She has also designed stages for some of the world's biggest festivals and conferences. She is the founder and director of “the Fearless Collective” that engages with gender issues and art for social change in India.

As an INK fellow, her work became known when her talk made it to TED.com, and got over a million views in 2012. She was then chosen as one of the three pioneering Indian women at TEDGlobal, and spoken at conferences like WIRED, DLD in London and Munich. More recently, she founded a collective of over 400 artists in India using community art to protest gender violence for which she was featured in a host of documentaries including Rebel Music by MTV.

She was also felicitated with the Femina “Woman of Worth award” for her work with art and gender violence and the Futurebooks Digital Innovation award in London. In 2014, her collaborations with a neuroscientist on creating art that interacts with your brainwaves and other biofeedback sensors made her recipient of several grants and residencies, including an honorarium grant from Burning Man for the interactive project: Pulse and Bloom. The biofeedback installation brought together artists, architects, entrepreneurs, builders and neurotechnologists. The project was then featured on a host of international media: BBC, Rolling Stone, MSNBC, Tech Crunch, The Guardian, WIRED, Vogue India, and more.

Art and Social Change and all things that shimmer. http://www.shiloshivsuleman.com

BIOGRAPHY OF THREADS OF LIFE

Jean Howe co-founded the Threads of Life fairtrade gallery in Ubud, Bali, 1998. Threads of Life works directly with over 1000 weavers on 12 islands across Indonesia, commissioning heirloom-quality textiles and baskets made with natural dyes in order to sustain indigenous culture, conserve forest-based dye plant resources and alleviate poverty in remote weavers’ communities.

Mirrors, Monsters, Merchants & Magic: stories from inside Indonesia’s textile traditions by Threads of Life.

Spice trade influences juxtapose with indigenous motifs throughout the archipelago’s textile traditions: echoes of Indian trade cloths abound; imagery relates to defining aspects of the local environment; history and genealogy entwine. Uses range from traditional dress, to offerings, to the paraphernalia of marriages and funerals. Symmetry and symbolism articulate an intangible culture of animism and ancestor worship. Illustrated with a flurry of textiles, this is a story that will challenge both intellect and imagination!

http://threadsoflife.com

BIOGRAPHY OF I. MADE CHAKRA

I. Made Chakra was born in 1973 to a rice farming family near Ubud, Bali . Coincidentally, this was the same year the so called “Green Revolution” introduced chemical farming to Bali . Fortunately the Balinese love of nature and trust of their traditions slowed down the inroads of this new, less sustainable agriculture.

Chakra was able to grow up in a time where the people didn’t need money for food; edible vegetation, fish, eels, and birds all thrived together in the rice fields. Now that chemical farming has destroyed so much of this sustainable eco system, Chakra’s wish is that that his own children will be to able experience what he knew in his childhood; with the land restored to its abundant heritage. He knows he can’t do this alone, so he works to build connections with others on the same path, working for a healthy environment, healthy people and a healthy future.

After completing his study on sustainable development , 4 years pioneering green tourism in UK , and gaining commercial experience in his hometown, Chakra has devoted himself to developing sustainable agriculture and technology across Indonesia ; from tsunami-ravaged Aceh, to the rice fields of Bali , where he has pioneered an effective organic Intensification System for nutritious, heritage red rice. Chakra’s knowledge and practical skills range from appropriate technology and permaculture design, training and project management to consultancy for international NGOs. Sawah Bali is proud to partner with Chakra's foundation TriHitaKarana: " using permaculture principles, we educate, advocate & act for a sustainable Bali "

https://thkbali.wordpress.com

BIOGRAPHY OF SHERVIN BOLOORIAN

Shervin is founder of Sound Healing Bali and Founder/Director of the Bali Sound Healers Collective. An Iranian-born vocalist who presents sacred songs in multiple languages, he is a certified sound therapy practitioner and graduate of Fabien Maman's Tama-Do "Way of the Soul" Academy.

Shervin’s talents have taken his signature style of “Sound Medicine” to festivals and holistic venues worldwide. Per his specialized energy training with Tama-Do, and shamanic counseling skills, Shervin applies vibrational therapy to soften hearts, and nourish, energize and aid the body in self-recovery.

Shervin’s debut CD, ‘Spirit Night By CandleLight’ is described by bestselling author and spiritualist, Margot Anand, as “Angelic.”

http://www.soundhealingbali .com

BIOGRAPHY OF SUSIAWAN AND SUSAN

Susiawan

Susiawan is a pioneer in the field of holistic arts and is dedicated to nurturing creative exploration in children and adults all over the world. With a strong belief in the power of the arts in personal and community growth, he founded “YayasanAnakMerdeka”/ Institute for Children’s Freedom of Expression (Bandung, West Java,1981) for children in marginalized communities. He also started the first children’s magazine in Indonesia (by and for children) called ‘Cakrawala Kecil’ (Small Horizon) in 1985.

Susiawan holds a B.F.A. in Graphic Arts from the Faculty of Art and Design – Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia. His artworks, ranging from watercolour, ink, acrylic expression to clayworks, silkscreen, etching, lithography, shadow puppets (over 150) and installations, have been exhibited in Indonesia, Japan, Canada and across Europe. He received an ASHOKA Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs in pioneering and developing children’s activities using the arts in environmental education (1986). In Bali, he co- created Yellow Coco Creative Nest in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – a holistic arts studio to support and nurture creativity, connection and collaboration across cultures with children and adults.

Susan Allen

Susan is passionate about the creative process and is inspired through play, connecting to a sense of wonder in nature and bringing the whole body into all that we do. She enjoys exploration and expression across artistic mediums as means to integration and wholeness.

As a storyteller, puppeteer (shadow and other) and DansKinetics instructor she has performed and taught in Canada, Japan and Indonesia with her company, Me and My Shadows. Susan has taught for over 17 years in the fields of Environmental Education with a focus on Cross-Cultural Communication in teaching and learning, Integrated Arts Education and ESL, and has trained teachers in the methodology of learning through the arts. She holds a Masters in Environmental Studies, has completed 2 years of a PH.D in Holistic Education and has trained as an instructor in Hatha Yoga (recognized by the Yoga Alliance) and DansKinetics. She is a Sacred Arts Curator and Expressive Artist with Fivelements.

She co-runs Yellow Coco Creative Nest in Bali, an open arts space for children and those who are children at heart, designed to nurture creativity and understanding between the Balinese and non-Balinese community

http://www.yellowcoco.org

The first Annual Bali Storytellers Festival 2016 begins with the theme of "SUTRADHAR".

Sutradhar. Translates to "the one who holds the thread."

"Philosophically Sutradhar is also Kala, or time, which strings together the past present and future.

Spiritually, the breath is the Sutradhar between the body, soul, and superconsciousness." - Seema Kohli

The Golden Thread of Sutradhar brings us as a Collective, to the awakening path of Sacred Story.

FOLLOWING THE GOLDEN THREAD, WE WEAVE A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE TOGETHER.

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WEAVING THE THREADS OF CULTURES TOGETHER THROUGH STORY