Transgressive North
‘Everything is New’ is the brainchild of Transgressive North (TN), a collective of young musicians, filmmakers, artists and dramatists based in Edinburgh. TN is creating both a short film and a CD of songs featuring lyrics contributed by Alexander McCall Smith, Irvine Welsh, Tom Leonard and Valerie Gillies, the Edinburgh Makar (poet laureate) and others.
In August 2008, 11 members of TN filmed their dramatic parable based around these songs. TN managed to secure lottery funding for the film and so they were able to buy, borrow and transport all their filming and musical equipment to Tuni, including a cello! The children took all the lead roles, singing, dancing and acting with great joy and enthusiasm. They had a wonderful time, especially as it meant some time off school!
“Our aim was twofold: to give the children as varied and enjoyable a cultural program as possible, and to produce a film and CD that could be sold to raise funds and awareness for SLA,” explain TN’s artistic directors Jamie Chambers and Duncan Strachan. “Our timetable was organised in order to involve every child in the school in at least one aspect of the project. Children made cushions and toys for the set and participated in weekly music parties.”
The film will hopefully be released in time for SLA's 10th birthday celebrations next year with Irvine Welsh doing the voice-over. The CD will be released later in 2010 by TN's musical ensemble, The Spolkestra. “The film will be shown in Scottish schools and elsewhere to raise awareness,” says Chambers.
“The songs recorded by the children will be rearranged and performed by TN and Scottish schoolchildren.
The beauty of TN’s vision is that the words of internationally renowned artists have been given voice by destitute Dalit children. Here is what our newest SLA supporters had to say.
Irvine Welsh
I have been a frequent traveller to India over the years and poverty is obviously a huge issue. But lack of opportunity goes beyond essentials like food and shelter and employment. With access to a cultural life people’s experiences are enriched beyond measure. I feel proud that a group of talented young artists from my home city are involved in this exciting and worthwhile project.
Alexander McCall Smith
Music is an international language, and its use as a means of spreading love is something that we can all be enthusiastic about. Music heals. It is a sad truth that many children all over the world have lives that are blighted by cruelty, deprivation and loss. The work of SLA and Transgressive North, as demonstrated in this marvellous project, helps to redress those wrongs.
