David Gere Working to Increase the Awareness About AIDS in India With His Art Works

He is a famous Hollywood actor. Very recently he was on the headline of all Indian newspapers for kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty during an AIDS awareness campaign. There are total three different complains have been filed against him at Delhi High Court. Richard Gere becomes famous in India too. Few days ago I had an opportunity to meet Richard Gere's brother, who is totally different in manner and gesture from his elder brother Richard Gere. Currently (as of May 20, 2007), Richard's brother Dr. David Gere is in India to increase the awareness on AIDS among the people of India. Richard and David both are involved in great works and initiatives for the betterment of mankind, but way of doing the works are different for them. David is very quiet & calm and very decent in talking. Los Angeles based Dr. David Gere is Associated Professor of University of California at the Department of World Arts and Culture.

Mr. David Gere is also associated with the non-profit organization 'Make Arts/Stop AIDS' (MASA) and currently he is in India for an AIDS campaign organized by MASA. The audiences of American Center at Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) were anxiously waiting during that occasion to see David Gere and trying to sketch the face of his elder brother Richard Gere. Mr. Gere didn't try all those easy ways of creating headlines with his name on Indian Daily Newspapers. He was well aware about the fact his brother initiated a month ago during a similar event. I believe media people got disappointed to see him and realizing the difference between two brothers from a same family. Mr. Gere was too cautious while answering the questions of media people during a press meeting on that day. He made very cautious steps to avoid any controversial questions and answers.

Make Arts/Stop AIDS is working to increase the awareness among the people through the art works. This is an innovative idea to help HIV/AIDS victims. There were several incidents in past where arts became the voice of an organized movement. In past we saw several incidents where the artists took their art works to raise their voice against any crisis or unlawful work. MASA is taking the help of those art works to fight against AIDS. In Kolkata they are using the sculpture and portrait art (called 'Patchitra' in local language) to draw the different pictures which will help them to increase the awareness against AIDS among the poor and illiterate people among the villages of India. 'Patchitra' is a very own distinctive art of West Bengal of India and Bangladesh. The artists draw different pictures on a piece of cloth or on a plate made of soil. The colors used for this art works are all natural. Along with the picture they will also compose interesting but easily understandable folk songs (country songs). The 'Patuya' (the artist who make this art) then travels across the villages of Bengal with his art works and songs to collect the rewards of his art works. MASA is using the help of this local art-work to increase the awareness about AIDS among the villagers of India. Mr. David Gere is one among the other artists who are supporting this initiative and investing their valuable time for the mankind. Mr. Gere will be at Kolkata and other parts of India for few more days to help the people of India.