Punarjanman

Punarjanman explores concepts of liminality with direct reference to the town of Mt Victoria and the wider Blue Mountains and the collective experiences of significant and unpredictable change. It is a collaborative work that brought together Stage 3,4,5 and 6 students, and staff of predominantly two NSW schools (Mt Victoria Primary School and Katoomba High School), and the wider Blue Mountains community. The title Punjarnman पुनर्जन्मन्. is a Sanskrit word that refers to the concept of "repeated birth", "transmigration", "re-birth" or "a principle of diachronic ontogeny". It is used as a metaphorical reference to the constant change and rebirth that has taken place in the past three years, culturally, environmentally and emotionally. At once fragile, vibrant, melancholic and life-affirming, Punjarnman showcases the talents of students from Katoomba High School’s Creative Arts programs and Support Unit, Mount Victoria Public School, and the local community. Collaborating and adapting throughout the pandemic to create an original music video, Punjarnman is a unique and touching response to our collective trauma experiences over the past few years as a result of multiple natural disasters and the prolonged impacts of the pandemic. However, it is ultimately a celebration of our capacity for resilience, hope and strength, and the persistence of the human spirit. It honours the extraordinary tenacity of our Blue Mountains children, young adults, families and communities, who kept going and stayed connected, even in the face of life-altering experiences.