Many books on dance talk about how the layman likes quick movements and rhythmic pieces. There is a certain amount of condescension when dancers write about quick eye-movements and complicated-looking footwork because all of that is eye-wash. It is easy showmanship for an uninitiated audience. The true connoisseurs of art, say dancers, are those who realise the beauty of slowness and depth rather than eye-catching speed.In 2012, we had three performances in France - two in Renage, and one in Voiron. After our Renage performances, we asked our friends and members of the audience which pieces they liked so that we could decide on the pieces we would perform at Voiron. And the answers took us by surprise.The favourite pieces, we discovered, were the slower, deeper pieces. Those that explored a rasa like bhakti, devotion. Those that gave full sway to abhinaya.Because abhinaya, whether … [Read more...]
Small Change for Stuart
When crossword puzzles, triplets and magic come together, the combination is a delightful mixture of commonsense, logic and madness. Small Change for Stuart is about a very short boy with slightly crazy parents. The parents do not realise that their short son is going to be traumatised through life because his first initial and surname invite a nickname that he has to live with - S. Horten.Moving to the tiny village of Beeton, Stuart is lost. He has no friends yet because he cannot count the irritating triplets next door called April, May and June. Stuart does, however, have the prospect of a great-uncle who disappeared during the second world war. Stuart follows his great-uncle Tony's treasure-trail and discovers many things. The reader - especially the adult reader - winces at his mistakes and then marvels at his triumphs.Full of puns, wordplay and wry humour, Small Change … [Read more...]
Great-Great Grandmother
Anyone on Facebook knows that babies are born all the time. Pictures are put up and everybody makes appropriate appreciative comments. But not everyday is a great-great grandmother born.I had the privilege of knowing my great-grandfather, who lived to be a 105. His amazing life spanned from 1895 to 2000. He supported Gandhi during the freedom struggle and stopped wearing leather slippers, choosing instead to go barefoot. This, for me, was particularly incredible because he was a lawyer in Madurai, so he walked those scorching roads day after day barefoot. When I knew him, he was a slightly deaf old man who used to watch cricket with commentary at so low a volume that it grated. I admired the fact that someone so old could actually live, but did not quite comprehend why everyone was thunderstruck at a 103-year-old-man climbing the gate to pluck flowers for his daily puja.My … [Read more...]
Technician
I have lost track of the number of times I have been in charge of lights and sound. As a small performing troupe, we can't always afford a professional lights and sound manager. And we most certainly cannot afford to have a technician with us for all our practices.At IIM Indore, it was fascinating. The scope of those lights was tremendous, and I enjoyed myself to the fullest, wishing I had more time to work things out and use the lights to our best advantage.At various other programmes, I have been in charge of the sound - both during the performance and (more often) pre-performance. I manage the details for practices, go to the studio to make changes in the music, all of that.But for the first time, I received a badge identifying me with this hidden non-profession of mine. I should probably keep it; when next can I dream of getting an identity card like this one? … [Read more...]
The Famous Adventures of Jack
When a little girl called Jill is told that she has to meet Jack, she begins a wonderful journey of stories with Mother Greenwood and a few Jacks here and there.The Famous Adventures of Jack by Berlie Doherty is a collection of new tales that have the same charm, predictability and comfort of well-loved classics.With Jack the Giant-Killer, Jack's magical snuff-box and Daft Jack, the book is packed to the brim with familiar, old-world stories that are utterly new. It's almost like taking a quilt you love and stitching it into different patterns that are just as beautiful! … [Read more...]
Double Decker Train
I saw a double-decker train after so long today! I did not even know they still ran!I remember when I went on one as a child. The extreme excitement and anticipation. The dread that we would actually have to sit down. Blue train, blue seats, silver stairs. Running up and down those stairs, careful not to shriek with excitement and risk being yelled at.I can't remember whether we sat upstairs or downstairs. I just remember the thrill.Today, though, Adults came on that train, not Children. Children are delighted with thrill. Adults need luxuries like leg-room and space for luggage and other unimaginative things. The verdict passed on the train was that it is inconvenient and uncomfortable.I realise once again how much more delightful it is to be a child. … [Read more...]
The Feeling After Reading a Good Book
I sit on the sofa looking at the wall in front of me. Hundreds of images cover the wall.A young brown girl. The book does not say anywhere that she is brown. In fact, she is English. But her great-great-aunt - or was it another relation? - used to wash the socks of tramps. An old king has a friend who speaks five languages. He is a fantastic man who takes children out all the time. The progressive school. Imagine being in whatever lessons you like, if you like. A cedar tree. I don't even know what a cedar tree is.Scenes from the book play on my mind-reel. Conversations. Abstract ideas.I am not sitting in a sofa dressed in my night clothes. I am out in a world about which I know nothing. I am soaring over the mountains thinking about how very glad I am that the Prince of Bergania is so different from the Prince of Transjordania.And then someone walks into the room and frowns at … [Read more...]
Nayanabhinaya
What is Nayanabhinaya?Divide the word and we get "Nayana" (eyes) and "Abhinaya" (loosely translated as expression).The eyes are an essential part of Indian classical dance, and that is one of the reasons why they are highlighted with thick kohl. The eyes express emotion and create beauty.Learn the basics of Nayanabhinaya at our workshop on Abhinaya at The Cultural Centre. Dates: 26th and 27th July, 2014 Time: 5 pm - 7 pm Fee: Rs. 1,500 … [Read more...]
Ashadi Ekadashi at Prashanthi Nilayam
Standing there, behind the backdrop, we held our breath. We had been working with 43 Bal Vikas children with little or no knowledge of dance since May, and this was the outcome of all our efforts. Working towards the performance for Ashadi Ekadashi at Prashanthi Nilayam was often frustrating, but ultimately, deeply rewarding. The children had practised just once at the final venue - the day before the programme. We finished practice around 10:30 at night and then the children got up at 3 in the morning for their make-up because all of them had to be ready by 7.Contending against all odds, it happened.In a flurry of movement backstage, we changed their costumes, changed their hair-dos and helped with their jewellery and make-up. But they did it. People were moved to tears. People came up to us over and over again to thank us.Hats off to the children whose faith pushed … [Read more...]
The Story of Cirrus Flux
"Where are you, Varsha?" "I'm not here!" I call back. "It looks like you are." "No, I'm inside here." (pointing to my book)That's the way it was with The Story of Cirrus Flux. I enjoyed the ride through 18th century England, with Matthew Skelton's small liberties with historical facts.I wondered again at how far science has come, but how cruel the human race is.We're such a bunch of contraries. We are capable of great kindness and great cruelty. We are capable of infinite selflessness and inhuman selfishness. We want revenge, but want to forgive. We go to any lengths for people we love.The Story of Cirrus Flux, while making you gasp and shiver, also has all these contraries melting together. … [Read more...]