Katradi, an initiative of Wind Dancers trust (India) , uses a combination of art and sport to create empathy based social transformation. We have worked on projects across 30 countries and 5 continents with a range of communities including under-privileged youth, people with disabilities, geographically isolated people, refugees and others. Our programs on taboo issues of gender, menstruation, gender-based violence and more are highly successful using art and sport as a powerful tool to effect transformation.

Why empathy?

Transformations, personal and societal, happen in spaces infused with high levels of empathy. This is especially true when exploring themes rooted in conflict and polarized identities that generate strong negative emotions like anger, fear and shame.

Why art and sport?

Many forms of art and sport have powerful techniques to generate empathy. Tapping into several of these forms, notably, Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance), Kattaikkuttu (traditional Tamil theater) and Ultimate Frisbee, the Katradi method has evolved to create positive spaces of transformation.

We have designed, trained and implemented programs for many NGOs, educational and research institutions and government bodies such as U.S. Consulate, Kolkata and Chennai (India), Angkor Association for the Disabled (Cambodia), Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children (India), CAIMEDE (Mexico), DESH (India), Fabricas de Cultura (Brazil), Les Poussières (France), Magic Bus (India), Maluku Interfaith Institute (Indonesia), Museu de Arte Moderna (Brazil), Nature Conservation Foundation (India), Project KHEL (India), Royapuram Government Home for Boys (India), Scholarships for Street Kids (Myanmar), Ultimate Player Association of India (India), Universidad de Xalapa (Mexico), Vidya Sagar (India), World Vision (Myanmar), Yuwa (India), and so on.

Design

We tap into various forms such as dance, sport, theater, circus and visual arts to create exciting programs in the domains of gender, empowerment, education, health, environment and conflict resolution. Using the Katradi method, we customize the design for the target population to engage them, trigger empathy and build a space for new understanding.

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Train

Our unique, high energy training programs not only impart information but also inspire participants to become agents of transformation. We train facilitators to open dialogues on difficult subjects with a unique combination of communication skills, empathetic listening, and techniques from art and sport.

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Implement

We facilitate on a range of issues. Our highly acclaimed BTG workshop model (gender equality through sport and art) has been commissioned by institutions including U.S. Consulate Kolkata & Chennai. Our Lorry Lolakku model (social justice through mobile performances) has been consistently funded to run advocacy programs in marginalized rural and urban communities.

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