The origami crane has become an international symbol of peace through the inspiring life story of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki. In 1954, when she was 11 years old, she was diagnosed with Leukemia, what people in Japan termed as the atom bomb disease. The ancient Japanese tradition of senbazuru promises that a person who folds 1000 cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness. Sadako made more than a thousand cranes but unfortunately died a year later from the cancer.
To celebrate Sadako’s story, Gyaan Adab organised a community event inviting people to express their message of hope and peace through art and music.
Origami artist Sangram Sadhale helped visitors recreate beautiful cranes with folds of paper. The colourful cranes were hung around Gyaan Adab in solidarity for peace.
Grafitti artists Kartikeya Sharma and Sam Bullough encouraged onlookers to join them in creating their designs on the walls. Kartikeya used vibrant colours of blue and yellow to make paper cranes come to life while Sam spray painted beautiful doves across his wall art.
People gathered around with hot tea and refreshments to listen to the musicians jam. Djembe player Khushboo Shah and guitarist Madhur Dutta had visitors singing along to popular songs.
Along with art and music, visitors also shared their messages of hope and peace with words as part of the community event.
“There’s no way to peace, peace is the way.”
“Hope springs eternally.”
“Hope is the light that shines through darkness.”
