USANEWS: The Rainbow in a Heart is the first dance drama being performed by the Jago Art Centre, Maryland branch. The Rainbow in a Heart is a story of magic and mystery, hope and peace. This story begins when five year old Aumrita asked her mother, “Mother dear, how have you become my mom?” Her mother answered . ”you are the one who chose me, before you were born.” The dialogue between the mother and daughter sets the plot in motion. As the protagonist-the unborn child representing our future- reshapes her destiny through an adventurous quest for a mother who can serve as a life long teacher and guide for universal harmony and peace. [nggallery id=40]

This bilingual story (Bangla and English) emanates awe and inspiration. It connects the heaven and earth in a thought provoking way and celebrates our universality through our diversity. The author of The Rainbow in a Heart, Sharmin Ahmad, who spun a spontaneous story , to answer her daughter, published it at her mother Zohra Tajuddin’s request in 2003. Maryland’s Motgomery County Public School, ranked among the nations top public schools approved the book for it’s English Language Arts curriculum. The book was described as” very unique” and “good asset to an elementary and middle school collection.” In 2005, Sharmin met Rosemary Mitu Gonsalves, the artistic director of Jago Art Centre for the first time. Their meeting was a turning point in giving the story a new form. After reading the book Rosemary was inspired and envisioned a musical dance drama. Thus began an exciting journey of two women on the path of ever evolving creativity to promote love and peace through art. At Rosemary’s request, Sharmin composed the screenplay and two songs for the dance drama. On September 19 the co-producer Rosemary and her team presented a spectacular show at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville, Maryland. This state of the art hall was brimming over with high enthusiasm. The greatest supporter of Rosemary’s passion for dance is her mother Stella Sandya Rebeiro; whose health now is in sad decline. So it was especially important to Rosemary that her mother attended her dance drama .

Amy Kraft,president of the IDEAL-Spring International foundation promoting peace education, and co-sponsor of the event, mentioned in her opening speech, what she saw and felt in Bangladesh when she accompanied Sharmin at her first book launching, reverberates throughout the world. All cultures and races have potential for goodness and embracing the others is universal. ”This is why the Rainbow in a Heart captures our heart” she said.

She complimented Rosemary for transforming the story into a beautiful dance drama. Co-producer and author of The Rainbow in a Heart, Sharmin, highlighted the process being just as important as the lofty goal itself. She said that if peace is the goal, then the path toward peace must manifest patience, and understanding in spite of challenges. She expressed gratitude to all the parents, volunteers ,supporters, family and friends. She praised Rosemary’s creative vision in transforming the story into a magical dance and play. The fifty minute musical dance drama was greeted with frequent applause and enthusiastic cheers. The creative display of vibrant colors, heart warming musical dance performance and adept stage co-ordination were noteworthy.

This memorable afternoon event was attended by people from all cultures, faiths, races and nationalities, which perfectly blended with the message of the Rainbow in a Heart -humanity is one family.
Co-producer Rosemary, played the role of Aumrita’s mother . Eight year old Estelle Rego, the protagonist of the story, played Aumrita. The rest of the cast were Andy Cruze, Ellen Palma, Christine Rozario, Jasmine Rodrigues and Stephanie Rozario: mothers from different countries;Tania Rozario: Mother Earth; Anne Rozario: Messenger; Rea Corraya and Lorraine Rego:Angels and deer; Chloe Rodrigues:angel and swan; Benedicta Gomes, Justin Rodrigues and Joshua Gonsalves: African boys; Adrian Gonsalves: hunter and cashier; Madhubi Botlero, Sinthia Costa, Silvia D’Costa,Agness Murmu, Diana Purification, Onjoly Purification and Erin Rego: dance and ensemble.

Nazia Hassan Lisa,Chitralekha Guha,Mahidul Islam, Konock Chapa, Samira Mehraj and Sharmin Ahmad were the featuring background voice actors and singer; M.R Waseque: Music composition; Irene Parvin: costume design; Ariful Islam and Arif Hossain: stage set design and construction.

Comments on the show.

Kathy and I so appreciated your beautiful show yesterday - what a feast to the eye - so much color, wonderful, expressive dancing - to the ear - the super music, hearing the Bengali language - and to the heart - your message of compassion, love, appreciation for all people and cultures, etc. We were so glad we could be with you and share in that time -
Randy Ruffin
Amissville, Virginia

In this time of war and fear ,The Rainbow in a Heart, brings us the song and dance of love and understanding through the eyes of a child.
As a mother, I saw myself in every one of those disappointing mothers in the dance; but the final messege of compassion was grace for all of us who fail too often.
Madhumita Chattopadhya
Silver Spring, Maryland