We have always been a divided world but perhaps the fissures were not always as visible as in our current times. Technology enables but is the algorithmic world supporting our social media platforms the most fair? Or has it taken in many of the biases from our existing hierarchies and built something similar? As the world of identities and nuance expands, do you feel a greater need to reflect and engage with it or does it just confound you like many of us?
Through our initiative ‘Inclusion & Vaarta’, we have been working to generate conversations on inclusion, queerness, gender and the climate crisis through both our visual work as well as workshops. As crises of many kinds overlap, we tend to seek comfort in what we know- probably a wish for a simpler time. But could this knowledge of the familiar whether in terms of religion, family structures or culture be expanded upon to include more of us? Isn’t there safety in a wider net? While traditional logic, encouraged by archaic practices, pushes us to think in exclusionary ways, what is it that we can learn and benefit from stitching this wider net?
With the help of our training and practice in Media, Theatre and Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) and mental health, we at In Vaarta have been shaping some unique conversations and learning spheres. This has been executed in corporate spaces, educational institutions as well as the civil society.
Curious to know more, please write to us at swaja@invaarta.com / abhishek@invaarta.com for workshops and more.
Testimonials
Swaja Saransh, as Avatari Devi is a unique artist. Whether in their act or workshops, they are all about listening and communicating through storytelling.
Having been a television journalist and a writer, Saransh has the knack of keeping things simple, appealing and witty too. What stands out is not just their ability to engage or the written script, it is their instinct to respond to the audience on the go, instinctively.
Avatari Devi’s act and style is a powerful way to communicate social change particularly when the topics are gender, sexuality and inclusion. They have the capacity and talent to turn workshops into everything that isn’t a drag.
Sharif Rangnekar, Comms & Workplace Consultant | Author | Director, Rainbow Lit Fest
I’ve known Swaja/Saransh for over a decade now and have always been impressed (wow-ed!) with their understanding of the nuances of gender, sexuality and the inherent fluidity and intersectionality therein. It has stood out not only in day-to-day conversations with them, but also in the performances that they’ve delivered as Avatari Devi. Avatari’s bold and informed take on topics of sexuality in the context of the current socio-economic-political climate is not only a very unique perspective, but also extremely engaging as a delivery format.
As In Vaarta expands to create a platform for these conversations and workshops, I am confident that Saransh/Swaja will bring forth a bouquet of tools that cater to audiences at different points of the learning spectrum. I personally look forward to benefiting from many of them and wish them all the best.
Abhinav Kishore, Head of SMB( India), Google Cloud, Google
I loved the way it (the session) opened up the space for people to share honestly, and churn out their biases in a group. The process was beautiful in the way that it allowed both the group and the individual to witness what was going on at both ends.
Tania G, Dream a Dream Foundation, Bengaluru
Swaja Saransh conducted a session on gender sensitization for Avian WE. The session was very insightful and helped gain a better understanding of gender and sexuality. Through their personal experiences, Saransh put forward a nuanced understanding of gender and why it is important for people to respect each other’s pronouns. Saransh was approachable throughout the session. They made sure that the session was interactive and created a safe space for asking questions and discussing delicate topics. They were sensitive and empathetic in responding to queries. As a speaker they were captivating and proved to be a great storyteller in addition to being a kind & wonderful human being. We are looking forward to many such conversations with Saransh on gender and sexuality. We received a very positive feedback from our team members on the session conducted by them.
Abhishek Shankar, National HR Director I AvianWE
The trimurti of Avatari, Swaja and Saransh form a remarkable unit. Initially as a student, later as a communication professional, an environmental educator and a development consultant, Swaja Saransh has been able to use the multiple milestones of his consciousness to develop a persona that is self assured and empathetic, absorbent and reflexive, critical and accommodating. All at the same time.
Bhashwati Sengupta, Director, Hyderabad Urban Lab
The choice of language and the way it was expressed was a fresh take on academic conversations. It is was very unique and abashedly “original”.
Upamanyu Basu, Assistant Professor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies