1. How The Internet Is Redefining
Our Relationship With The Arts
By Charumati Haran

2. Internet has changed it all!
• The Arts are the physical manifestations of our creativity.
• Music, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, writing,
theatre, filmmaking and so forth can make an impact on our
minds in unique ways.
• On the other hand, the internet is a multi-talented tool – a
medium of expression and communication, making it a
repository of knowledge.
• Rather like a Swiss army knife, it simplifies our daily tasks and
expands our options.
• Thus, it is inevitable that the interaction of art and
technology in society leads to new creations and redefines
traditional practices.

3. From Kolaveri to Coke Studio
• Internet has increased the knowledge of people about The
Arts.
• Earlier, people were restricted to the films and music they
could see on TV or hear on the radio.
• Now there is a sprawling internet community which discusses
the best and worst of creative endeavors.
• This gives a boost to upcoming artists, musicians, poets etc.
• The internet facilitates the organization of exhibitions,
concerts, performances and conventions and gives them
publicity.
• Interaction with life minded people has been a welcome step
to promote the best art forms.

4. Not just for the elite, for everyone
• Before the internet, the arts were usually a prerogative of the
rich and elite, who could afford to hire artists.
• With online shopping, it has become so much easier to bring
art into one’s home.
• The ease of uploading information on the internet and that
too in varied forms, combined with the revolution in Open
Education is making it very easy for people to learn new skills.
• There are resources – textural, verbal and audio-visual –
which can help us learn more about whichever art form is
closest to our heart.
• The immense accessibility and visibility no doubt explains the
proliferation of creative content on the internet.

5. Each day towards betterment
• Internet is helping us develop The Arts in new forms.
• By providing so many free software, an amateur can access
excellent photo-editing, video-editing and music mixing
software and create content comparable to professional
work.
• Consider the new hype surrounding ‘Panoramas’ – 360
degree photographs – which lots of new cameras were
advertising for a while. Websites like 360cities.net andGoogle
Street View help us get unique, high resolution views of some
of the most beautiful monuments and landscapes from
around the world.

6. The other side?
• As a tool of the media, the internet naturally reflects
something of society.
• It both absorbs and transmits the voice of the people.
• In the last few years we have seen so much creative content
made available on the internet – images, blogs, fonts, logos,
smileys, maps, wallpapers.
• The interest of people in arts has made the internet change
its very nature – it used to be a boring text-filled place.
• Now it’s flashing, popping, sparkling and even speaking!

7. Part of the whole
• In short, art unites people across the usual social, physical
and financial boundaries.
• The internet is strengthening and enhancing this
phenomenon.
• The power of thoughts and ideas is gradually superseding
every restriction.
• And we are a part of this trend every time we do something
as commonplace as catching our favourite TV shows on the
internet or liking a picture on facebook.
• Isn’t it amazing how something originating in another part of
the world has become part of our habits?

8. • Read more on Youth Ki Awaaz at http://bit.ly/14qNs78