November 2023 Newsletter
“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it.” – Brene Brown.
Light radiates, formless, shapeless, while darkness creates the container. The forces of light and darkness dance in and out of one another, rendering each other’s existence. Storylab, is proud to present their annual showcase of stories that explore the depths of Light and Darkness. This show is for adults 16 years and above.
Have you ever gotten into mischief or done misdeeds your parents never found out about? Or perhaps you know of tales of mischief and misdeeds
Come join us for an online story swap to share tales with each other in an informal setting.
When you register to join, please let us know if you will be telling a story. The story must be 10 minutes or less.
This event is open to SAS members only.
Events in Singapore & Around the World
You are invited to the NSN ECO SIG’s first Tellabration!
Registration is free; donations appreciated.
YOUR STORY STINKS!
In this practical and engaging online workshop, participants will explore how scent can enhance storytelling, creating vivid and memorable stories, that transport audiences to different worlds, evoke emotions, and bring characters and settings to life.
Facilitator:
Christine Carlton, Australian Storyteller and Education Consultant travels throughout Australia and internationally. She offers workshops for teachers, children, adult storytellers, tertiary students, community groups, and organisations to enable them to tap into their creativity and give voice to their stories whether they be true, tall or traditional tales.
When: Saturday 11th November 2023
Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Singapore Time
Where: Online on Zoom (link will be provided)
Cost: $25 (AUD)- NSW Storytelling Guild members, $35(AUD) – non-members
Information: australianstorytellers.org.au/events
Enquiries and expressions of interest: Email info@storytellersnsw.org.au
Click here to buy tickets and to register.
Discovered or Misplaced
Listeners and tellers, all are welcome.
Story Swap hosted online on Zoom by Australian Storytellers NSWHave you ever found an item that stirred feelings of concern, astonishment, or joy? Has a fictional character discovered a newfound wisdom or a hidden gem that altered the course of their adventure? Alternatively, has something been lost or temporarily misplaced and led to unforeseen repercussions?
Join us for a storytelling session where the theme is stories about memories or items that have been ‘discovered’ or’ misplaced’. These can range from personal tales to historical discoveries, folklore and unexpected mysteries.If you would like to tell a prepared story of 5-6 minutes, email Christine Carlton at storyaus@gmail.com to be put on the list to tell a story. (Stories are kept short so that a number of people have the opportunity to tell)
This is a free online event organised by the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW).
This workshop will explore:
- Successful collaborations between K-12 educators and teaching artists
- Designing (and co-designing) classroom activities based on curriculum needs
- Sharing classroom time effectively between educators and teaching artists
Presenters
Fran Stallings, internationally recognized storyteller, teaching artist, and authorJeff Cauthen, award-winning elementary school educator, Ranch Heights Elementary, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA
When:
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6:00pm -7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
(Thursday November 16, 2023 6:00 am-7:30 am Singapore Time)
Please feel free to share with friends and colleagues – all are welcome!
Online over Zoom | Free
Anne Rutherford and Norm Brecke will bring Tellabration of stories and songs this November 17th at 7 PM on Zoom (November 18th 10 AM Singapore time)
To find out more and to register, click here
YFOS23
3rd — 19th November 2023
Free. Online. Everywhere.
“If fairy tales and stories speak truth to power, how do they help us achieve justice in the world?”
This is the question driving this year’s Yorkshire Festival of Story. Come and explore it with us.
YFOS 23 will use epic stories, fairy tales, theatre, and song to explore how we speak truth to power and how we can achieve justice through stories. A diverse and eclectic mix of storytellers, authors, artists, film directors, singers, and even an explorer will inspire you, intrigue you, and provoke thoughts of change. Come and ignite the conversation and bring new perspectives on truth, power, and justice.
Choose from over 40 live events, both in-person and online.
The children and families programme is jam-packed with incredible events too! The line-up for this year’s Yorkshire Festival of Story is epic!
To find out more and register
click here
Discover how to shape a memory into a story and become an inspiration for others.
The course will take you step-by-step through an interactive and fun process. You will learn to identify and talk about meaningful narrative events in your life in a way that is empowering and entertaining.
For storytellers, leaders, educators, and anyone interested in creating impactful stories!
For information and registration: Click Here
Honouring Our Occasions…
…Beyond The Occasion
11th October was the International Day of the Girl Child. On November 18th we have the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. The world has ordained days for many things that they deem important. However, from times immemorial we have celebrated them in various forms.
These international days are occasions to educate people on issues of concern and mobilize resources and political will to address the issues on a global level.
After observing the International Day of the Girl Child, I read this news, “The number of cases investigated by the authorities for serious child abuse or neglect concerns ‘remained high’ in 2022, after doubling from slightly more than 1,000 cases in 2019 to about 2,000 cases in 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The figure for 2022 is comparable with that in 2021. When 2,141 cases were probed, said a senior principal social worker at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Child Protective Service (CPS)” (Straits Times, October 15th, 2023.)
We all possess a lot of knowledge. What is now needed is application of that knowledge. We have heard, “Knowledge is power” but is it? Knowledge and application is power. Are we applying our knowledge? Do we practice mindful application of knowledge? It is something that should be omnipresent, just like our breaths.
The power of a girl child was always known to humans. The story of Mahishasura dates to 3,000 years ago! Most Hindus all over the world celebrate nine days of festivities called Navratri. It is one of the most revered and celebrated Hindu festivals. This year it was celebrated from October 15th to 23rd, ending with Dusshera on 24th October 2023. It is a triumph of good over evil.
Dandiya and Garba are traditional folkdances from India with colourful wooden sticks called dandiyas where people go around in a circle. They dance to the beats of drums with sticks or dandiyas striking to produce a uniform sound. It is performed in honour of Goddess Durga, the slayer of Mahish! The dance is said to represent a mock fight between Durga and the mighty demon Mahish!
The dance is nicknamed the sword dance, and the sticks (dandiyas) are symbolic of the sword.
Goddess Durga fought the shape-shifting demon for nine days and slayed him on the tenth day! The nine days of battle has become what we celebrate today as Navratri, and the tenth day-the day of victory as Vijayadashami or Dusshera.
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies growth and growth of freedom, enlightenment. Viktor E. Frankl
Mahishasura, the Vainglorious
Mahish was born to a demon king. He was born with the ability to change forms at will. He could be a tiny mouse one minute and the next he could transform himself into a mighty lion.
Despite his shapeshifting powers he was unable to defeat the celestial beings in heaven. He began penance and hoped that the Supreme Creator would grant him a boon of immortality. The creator was pleased; after all who does not have an ego?
Mahish asked for immortality from the creator. It was refused! Sly Mahish then asked for a boon that would prevent any male-God, Human, or Demon from killing him. Mahish considered women too weak to cause him any harm and believed that no woman would ever be able to kill him!
The creator agreed. A triumphant Mahish thought himself immortal!
Soon began Mahish’s conquests! First, he terrorized and conquered the underworld, secondly the earth, and finally only heaven was left to be conquered.
Mahish, who soon came to be known as Mahishasura, the chief of demons became too powerful.
Mahish and his army of demons attacked the celestial beings; their army was too weak for Mahishasura’s army and were driven out of heaven! Besides, he had the boon of immortality. He then declared himself the ruler of all three realms and as we all know great power brings about greater terror, Mahishasura unleashed his powers and let loose a reign of terror.
“None other than I will be worshipped! I am the only supreme being!” he declared. Not even the creator who had granted him the boon could be worshipped.
There was mayhem! The celestial beings turned to the creator and asked for help, to restore peace and order in the three worlds.
The creator knew he could not tackle the problem alone, he turned to the preserver and the destroyer for a solution. The Holy Trinity put their heads together and created the feminine form of a Goddess.
She was none other than Goddess Durga, born with ten arms, each of her ten arms holding a powerful weapon! A trident representing courage, a sword for wisdom and knowledge, a javelin for determination, a mace for safeguarding truth, a thunderbolt for confidence, a bow and arrow for character, a spinning disc for protection, a conch for happiness, a lotus for detachment, a snake for ascending to a higher state of consciousness. Her vehicle was a lion.
A fierce battle ensued. Mahishasura first sent his powerful and trusted demons to vanquish the threat-a mere woman!
Each one of them was defeated and slain by the Goddess Durga-a woman!
Finally, the mighty Mahishasura confronted Durga himself, using all the weapons in his possession. He changed forms-from a buffalo to a tiger, from an elephant to a black rhinoceros, from a mouse to a mosquito! Then finally to a handsome man. A mere woman surely would not be able to resist a “charming man,” thought the demon!
However, Durga triumphed! She struck the final blow just as he tried to emerge out of his handsome human form.
Goddess Durga-a mere woman thus came to be known as the slayer of Mahish-the great demon; and was bestowed the name of Mahishasura Mardini. (The slayer of Mahishasura) Law and order were restored in the three worlds! There was celebration with dandiya, garba, food and fun!
References: The Straits Times, 15th October 2023
Asura (demon)
Mahishasura story-Wikipedia
In Singapore one can catch the festivities at…
– 36, Owen Road
– Chinese Garden
– Ramakrishna Mission
– Singapore Indian Puja Association
One can join garba and dandiya at…
1) Singreli Dandiya Dhamaka at Tessensohn Road
2) Singa’a Dandiya at SAFRA
3) Punggol,
4) Dandiya Utsav at Khalsa Association