Pallavi Chander
Artist and Creative Arts Therapist
Professional Trainings
About me​​
The Arts help knead my understanding of the world and its complexities. It opens out possibilities for dialogue with one's surroundings 'as within and without'. I believe there is a lot to learn, unlearn and relearn through deep listening and authentic sharing of experiences. For over nearly a decade my practice and work with the arts reflect an attempt to create safe environments for such exchanges.
Imagination is what brings me to work. I believe every individual has an innate sense of strength which comes from the power of imagination, it helps us makes sense of the past, understand our present and paint possibilities for the future.
Therapy and healing- Engaging with the arts fosters empathetic connection with oneself and others which can enable therapeutic and healing experiences in the here and now. As a creative arts therapist my practice focuses on psycho-social interventions and compassion-based treatments with an anti-oppression lens.
Trainings
Drama and Movement Therapy at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London
2015-17
In 2017, I completed my training in the Sesame approach of Drama and Movement Therapy. Incorporating the philosophies and theories of Carl Jung, Rudolph Laban, Peter Slade and Billy Lindkvist, the approach uses allegory, symbols, imagery, dramatic distance and play to creatively explore and express the clients' needs, fears and hopes, in their own way.
I received a distinction for my dissertation, 'Playing in the Unknown', which explores facets that foster the health of a dramatherapist.
Arts-Based Therapy Certificate Course, Pune
2012
In 2012, I completed the Arts Based Therapy Course and was certified as an Arts Based Therapist for children with special needs by WCCLF, Pune. As a requirement of the course, an action research project was conducted with a heterogeneous group of varied disabilities. Project - 'P2C2E - Exploring the potential of a special needs group through internal peer interaction and buddy system'.
College of Fine Arts at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore 2006-10
I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's in Visual Arts specializing in Sculpture (as a major) at the College of Fine Arts in Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore University. The five-year fine arts degree was split into two years for foundation and three years for specialization.
Final Year Projects -
Installation - 'Conditioning Every Wo(Man)'
Street Intervention - 'Weaving in and out'
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke
References
on request.