No medium of communication is more international and universal than that of arts... whether visual, audio, theatrical, or other...

No message is delivered and imprinted in the minds and hearts - whether of those who love or dislike the work, approve or disapprove with the piece of art- better than that composed of colors and texture, or another of music and notes...

From the beginning of existence, arts played a major role in the life of mankind, developing until it took part in every field of life, including politics.

As a Resistance movement enjoying characteristics that meet with modernity and development, and due to the need of the different means of communication in a global world that holds within its folds tremendous numbers of different languages, one language of communication belongs to all...Arts... Ressalat, the Lebanese committee for arts came to light.

Ressalat (Arabic for "Messages") is the maestro that orchestrates different arts activities in the aim of delivering the message of the resistance, its convictions, beliefs, struggle, and plight to the world, as well as reinforces the belief of the people in this movement and its motives and goals.

Moqawama.org in an exclusive interview with General Manager of Ressalat, Mr. Mohamad Kawtharani, discussed the aims and role of the association. Mr. Kawtharani also gave us a general glimpse on the huge performance piece Ressalat is preparing for this year's Day of Martyred Leaders.

Kawtharani first introduced Ressalat, which is part of the organization concerned with arts in the resistance society in Lebanon, whether on the level of production, foundation, theoretical research, or surveillance of artistic movement and activity in this society.

Ressalat adopts the type of art which delivers its message and ideas, and is not only an arts movement dedicated to the elements of art; rather it is a means of message delivery. 

As Kawtharani says, "It is the message of Islam that we adopt and represent. We work in service of a clear message, that of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his descendants to which our movement is a continuation. We adopt a type of art which serves the society of the resistance."

"Yet the messages sent through art are ones that indirectly tackle concepts, convictions, cultures, and ideas, sourcing from the bottom of the heart and whose target is the depth of a man's mind, heart, soul, being... this is our art." He adds.

Each arts association has its own characteristics that distinguish it from other associations. On that note, Ressalat General Manager says the message itself differs. "Definitely our message intersects with that of many other associations and parties which adopt a certain type of art that abides by ethics. As for our association, the message it carries is present in a harmonious and integrated system, which we believe is the same system founded by Islamic Intellect."

Kawtharani explained that the committee expresses a coherent message while adopting the means used over time dedicated to Islamic cultures to serve such a message. "For instance, the use of typography -a type of visual art-which is part of our visual heritage is adopted in many of our work. We have even developed this art of fancy lettering into motion typography. Hence, the artistic framework is attached to a certain heritage and is related to a certain way of expression, it is not indefinite."

And if the association abides by certain ethics and convictions, this does not mean it is not up to date with the different elements and ways of applying the art. Special attention is paid to the simplest details in the piece, whether the color, texture, color schemes, which allow the target audience to read the work correctly, despite the fact that the work contains some language elements in it. "For instance, a performance act or chanting act might contain Arabic words, but also has musical and theatrical elements that will allow a foreigner audience to enjoy and interpret the work."

According to Mr. Mohammad Kawtharani, the MAIN target audience is that of the resistance itself. "Our main priority is to deliver our message to the resistance audience, a message this audience believes in and supports. This message and culture -whether political or religio-political- needs reinforcement to add more strength to it."

"These artistic activities simultaneously address the resistance audience, and make up a strong element of the psychological warfare against the Zionist enemy. It is a major part of a counter war to the "Israeli" intense war based on lies and false threats." He stresses.

"It is very important to get feedback on the "Israeli" reaction to a film like "Ahl Al Wafa" which was produced last year. The "Israeli" enemy, in its unconsciousness, fears the Islamic resistance Mujahideen to death." Kawtharani explained on that note.

He adds "our productions; such as that film or video clips that portray the resistance courageous fighters, either shed light on the points of strength the Islamic resistance enjoys, or weakness points of the Zionist enemy, and therefore, our arts do take part in the psychological warfare. Our art is an art of long-term effect and not a short-term one, which is more consistent and effective."

The second week of February marks a very important memory in the calendar of the Islamic Resistance, and a very busy week for Ressalat.

As for this year's major event, Mr. Kawtharani and the crew of Ressalat are busy preparing for one performance act this year. "The Victory Mural", an audio-visual performing act as Kawharani describes it.

"We are used to presenting productions of high quality, even if it was only one activity, and never is it that we think of quantity. This year, we are preparing for one performance act entitled "The Victory Mural". It is a piece that combines between performance and chanting and will be presented on the day of the central event mid-February. It will be a live performance." He says.

Three colors dominate the scene, white, black and yellow, each representing one of the three martyred leaders. These were the leaders who drew the path of the resistance, starting with Sheikh Ragheb Harb, represented by white, followed by Sayyed Abbas Moussawi represented by black, and last but not least Shahid Imad Moghnieh, represented by yellow.

"These three colors represent the martyred leaders of the resistance plight who drew its path. White, black, and yellow are the three colors that stand for what topped the heads of the leaders, a white turban for Sheikh Ragheb, a black turban for Sayyed Abbas, and the yellow color is an extension and reflection of the green hat Shahid Moghnieh wore." Kawtharani says.

He continues "Actors perform on stage and the choral chants, and the end of the artistic piece... a pledge to the leader of the resistance, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to keep the promise, and follow the lead of the leaders, the mujahideen and the martyrs."

And how can one perform art if he were not to feel, love, and live it. Mr. Kawtharani explained that most of the working crew members are volunteers who not only love what they do but are also convinced of the message they deliver to the audience and believe in this means of expression and communication.

Throughout the interview, Kawtharani called those people who get on stage and perform, "the family of Ressalat".

What could be better than a harmonious family in such an artistic portrait that pulls great work all together for the sake of its beliefs and convictions?

It is "the Victory Mural" this family presents in the Day of Martyred Leaders, embodying the victory of this humble selfless resistance in the face of the world's most so-called toughest army, the Zionist "Israeli" army, in a way that stunned the world, breathtakingly.

And we meet again this coming week with Mr. Kawtharani and with the family of Ressalat who will take part in the live spectacular show of an international and worldwide spoken language...