An Embodied Invitation to the Unborn Song: A Dancer/Poet’s Response to Gandhi and Tagore

• In Event: Why Gandhi Now? Reclaiming Education for the Social Majorities

Abstract

Objectives
The focus of my research explores the intersection between dance, poetics, pedagogy and the lived curriculum. Integral is my own autobiographical narrative of growing up with a mother who was deeply influenced by Gandhi, Tagore, and Indian Classical dance. I will explore a pedagogy of relationality through a performative essay, which integrates dance, poetry and autobiographical narrative as a way of wrestling through the potency and possibility of making Gandhi relevant for today’s context. Gandhi and Tagore were good friends, yet saw differently on issues, but it is in this intersection of connection, which fascinates me, where poetics, issues of peace, heart and mind merge.

Perspectives/Theoretical Framework
I come to this collaboration as a scholar/educator informed by the art forms of poetry and dance to investigate an embodied space for understanding and responding to the impact of Gandhi and Tagore’s work. My theoretical positioning complements existing artistic practices and ways of theorizing that integrate arts-based inquiry (Barone & Eisner, 1997; Bagley & Cancienne, 2002; Bresler, 2004, 2007; Denton, 2004; Diamond & Mullen, Eds., 1999; Garoian, 1999; Greene, 1995; Irwin & deCosson, 2004; Knowles & Cole, 2008; Leavy, 2008; Prendergast, Leggo, & Sameshima, 2009).

Methods/Techniques/Modes of Inquiry
As a dancer/poet/scholar my dedication in curriculum studies has resulted in theorizing methodological insights and academic practices that recognize the connection between the artistic process, inquiry and scholarship. I build on (Author One) extensive work around embodied knowing (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007) and the work in poetic inquiry (Leggo, 2005, Prendergast, Leggo & Sameshima, 2009). This performative paper explores a poetic rendering of the ramifications of Gandhi’s and Tagore’s impact on what it means to dwell in knowing and unknowing. Through movement, spoken word, body narratives I will examine curricular moments, which include what Tagore (1928) says, “an invitation to the unborn song” (p. 58).

Results
It is my hope that a more comprehensive exploration and response to Gandhi and Tagore’s life and work will open up a more holistic connection to make Gandhi relevant for today’s world. The result of this work will be both an essay, which integrates poetic inquiry and autobiographical inquiry with reflection. Tagore’s (1928) poetic words give this dancer a place to interpret and create from, which connects learning to the natural world.
“ The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. …
I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life.
(p. 305).

Significance
Poetic and embodied inquiries, along with arts-based/influenced research, because of their deep reliance on and acknowledgement of the senses, help access glimpses of partial truths. Unless we give equal attention to body, heart, and mind, we continue to be in danger of creating hierarchies of ways of knowing. I concur with Greene’s concept of a wide-awakeness (1995) and a bodily integration of Gandhi and Tagore pushes the edge of knowledge to be brought into a provocative place along with critical thought.

Author

• Celeste N. Snowber, Simon Fraser University