Leave a Little Love, Armin van Buuren played, and leave a little love is precisely what he and DJ Laura van Dam did. Celebrated Dutch DJs Armin van Buuren and Laura van Dam, currently rocking India on tour, were gearing up for a performance at Sunburn Arena on October 7. But before they hit the stage, they visited the Tomorrowland Foundation Music and Arts School, launched last December at the Ek Tara Learning Centre in Kolkata. The DJs interacted with the underprivileged kids amidst music, dance and performances.
“I am so blown away by the positivity here. The kids making music and being educated, getting food. It’s a lot to take home so thank you so much for everything and keep up the good work,” were Armin’s words after his day out in Kolkata.
Snippets from the visit…
Connecting with children at Anondo Gari Mobile School Session
Armin interacts with the children at KMC Primary School Sahibabad; (right) with Ek Tara founder Vinita Saraf
The day began with a visit to KMC Primary School Sahibabad, where they had an ‘Anondo Gari’ Mobile School session.
Armin and Laura actively participated in games, visited the library and interacted with around 95 children, Mobile School educators, and KMCP staff. They also had the opportunity to witness the meal preparation at the school.
A cute moment with Laura and the children
Ek Tara Foundation is involved with 12 KMCP schools, offering projects like Mobile School (Anondo Gari), library (Golpo Ghar), and FLN projects. The Anondo Gari project, in partnership with Belgian organisation The Mobile School, provides quality learning resources using an innovative six-metre-long, two-sided panel on wheels. This interactive learning helps around 2,500 children, including street and slum kids, with skill-building and empowerment.
Visit to Ek Tara - Tomorrowland Foundation Music and Arts School
After the Mobile School Session, the entire team proceeded to the Tomorrowland Foundation Music and Arts School by Ek Tara, where they were warmly and traditionally welcomed by children with garlands and a tikka.
Inaugurated in December 2022, the school at Ek Tara is the second of its kind globally, with the first in Nepal. It spans over 7,000sq. feet, offering certificate courses and workshops in various artistic disciplines such as art, animation, craft, dance, music, DJ & EDM, photography, theatre, and film screenings. These opportunities are available to children from Ek Tara and underprivileged backgrounds in and around Topsia.
“It was really amazing to be here. Girls keep up the good work, be strong, be there and things will be good,” said Laura van Dam.
A dance to different beats!
Armin and Laura pose with the young dancers
At Ek Tara, Armin and Laura had the chance to witness an Agomoni performance by the children. The significance of this cultural performance was explained to the team.
They were then taken to the music room, where the children performed Imagine by John Lennon using instruments such as the keyboard, ukulele and Cajon. Subsequently, they explored the art room, where the children displayed various art and craft pieces, including artwork created from old cassette tapes. Armin expressed particular interest in these creations, and the use of recycled materials by the children.
This is What it Feels Like… Behind the console
An exclusive set by Armin for the children at Ek Tara
The visit continued to the DJ room, where the children enthusiastically asked questions related to DJing and music. Armin posed the question of why music is important, to which the children responded by saying that it is therapeutic and brings people together. Both Armin and Laura delighted the children by taking the console.
The team was then escorted to the Ek Tara Learning Centre, where they experienced the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Lab. Armin was particularly intrigued by the 3D printer and witnessed firsthand how the children had used it to create a miniature dog.
Armin signs a message for the foundation
The duo also signed memorabilia. The visit concluded with light refreshments, during which everyone enjoyed snacks prepared by the mothers in the foundation’s community kitchen. As a token of appreciation, the team received small handmade gifts from the women and mothers working at Ek Tara Creates.
The last word from the children at Ek Tara? We hope they Come Around Again!
