How about peering into the future by just gluging down a cuppa coffee? Or better yet, learning to make toys, nips and other essentials for stray kittens and pups in town? If you haven’t caught on the buzz as yet, let us tell you: A volley of Bengalureans are conducting sessions that don’t just stop at teaching you something anew; but rather, spread messages of compassion, learning and reviving lost forms of art. We take a deeper look into the trend.
“I’ve always believed in the power of healing through open-hearted conversations. I feel a lot can happen over coffee and the idea of doing somebody’s reading is really intriguing and brings strangers closer,” reveals Halime Tastan, Bengaluru-based Turkish Coffee fortune teller, for whom it was always about spreading a feel good factor through her sessions.
Adding to how the culture is well-received by the city’s folk, she enthuses, “I believe it is one’s intuitive feeling which helps. It’s about building a connect with someone who trusts your sixth sense.”
Interestingly, this isn’t the only unconventional practice to have caught up like wildfire. Even lesser known art forms have been gaining popularity. For instance, Priyanka K Mohan, a city-based trained classical dancer, singer and Yakshagana artiste, who trains teenagers and working professionals without a fee, tells us, “I grew up watching my father promote the art Yakshagana all his life. But that was then — about 35 years ago.
The idea was to impart holistic learning of the art form, starting from dance followed by theatrical aspects, costume and make-up. Sadly, this form of folk theatre is not widely taught in the country. I decided to render free sessions because I believe the act is therapeutic and teaches you to take charge of your emotions, helping you express yourself better,” she reveals. Hopeful that the progress is slow but steady, she adds, “This is an activity where the trainer and trainee get to be a part of a holistic learning curve.”
And for pet lovers with an eye for knowledge, there’s serious development on that front, too. Sanjana Govindan Jayadev, an entrepreneur, decided to bring about a whole new angle to charity.
“I observe that there isn’t much awareness among people about cat care. And while many people are open to keeping a stray at their place, they often are oblivious to taking care and buying stuff. I’d like to enable kids from as young as five to working professionals make essentials like cat nips, toys using recycled products and also learn more about the need for spaying and vaccinations. I’ve always brought the materials needed. Since this is completely free of cost, I see more people coming in and improving their knowledge about taking care of pets at home, without necessarily running to a veterinarian,” she concludes.
