Devi Sarasvati Sangita
Weekend School for Traditional Arts
In 2002, SAT opened a weekend school offering courses in Gotipua temple dance, traditional music, and Pattachitra artwork.
Each week, approximately 20 children attend classes at the Gopal Trust House, taught by some of the most knowledgeable teachers in these traditional art forms.
The Devi Sarasvati Sangita places emphasis on child welfare through musical movement and creative studies, rather than the performing arts. Our school is unique in this regard as it is the only one that exists to teach the sacred temple arts free from the pressure of performance. The students are therefore able to focus on the spiritual, philosophical and creative aspects of their culture.
The Orchard at Jasmine Farm
Deep in the heart of Somerset, Britain's apple county, is Sacred Arts Trust's traditional fruit orchard. The Trust became caretakers of the plot in 2011 when it was in need of maintenance and regeneration. A season of tree planting took place in the autumn of 2012, and maintenance has been ongoing since then. The orchard is a haven for biodiversity, with a natural watercress bed and small brook as well as indigenous fruit tree varieties. Our aim is always to work with nature whilst using traditional methods to help it thrive.
With your support, we hope to turn the orchard into a centre for traditional British countryside arts, including orchard maintenance, apple pressing and hedgerow laying. Our next developmental steps will be improve the facilities on site with a compost toilet and straw-bale shelter.
The trust runs ‘work days’ at the orchard several times a year and new volunteers are always welcome. To be kept up to date with the next volunteering opportunity please register your interest here.
Rehabilitation through arts and crafts
Along with its sister charity, the Gopal Trust, SAT has run a women’s rehabilitation centre since April 2000. There are currently five ladies who are permanent residents of the centre, all of whom have mental or physical disabilities. Here, they are able to receive the daily care that they need, whilst being encouraged to take part in arts and crafts activities and simple household tasks, such as cooking and gardening. We believe that this approach helps our residents to rebuild their confidence and self esteem.