For preparatory research and workshops with the rammat artists towards the creation of a performance script based on the acclaimed Hindi poem, Rashmirathi. Theatre actors will study different forms of rammat performances and undertake a thorough analysis of the poem. The eventual vachika abhinaya performance will feature orchestrated speech, a chorus, recitation of the peom in the rammat syle, and musical compositions created with rammat instruments.
For the creation of a solo performance based Shurpanakha in the Ramayana, incorporating different readings of this enigmatic character—as a shape shifting raksashi, a beautiful woman, and a victim of patriarchal norms—found in various versions of the epic. The performance will include new songs in Braj, a local dialect of Hindi and create a movement vocabulary extending beyond the traditional repertoire of Kathak.
For a physical theatre performance piece towards creating a personal vocabulary of movement and theatre. Based on impressions of the social, cultural and spiritual life on the river island Majuli in Assam, the performance through the medium of physical theatre will bring together movement, voice, image, light, costume and set design to evoke the spirit of the island.
For a series of children’s workshops that imaginatively explore the patua folklore and its social and cultural environment towards the creation of children’s theatre performances. Situated primarily in two patua villages, Nayagram and Pingla in West Bengal, the project will focus on the children of the patua community offering them opportunities to reinvigorate the now dormant performative element of the Patachitra tradition.
For a three-month workshop to enable four young theatre directors from Assam to develop productions that critically engage with the socio-political changes and cultural diversity of the region. The directors and their team members will tour together to present the newly created work in their respective home towns and share their theatre-making experience with local audiences.
For a solo, multi-media performance titled Light Does Not Have Arms to Carry Us. Inspired by the structure of richly expressive and percussive piece of music composed for the piano, the project will create a performance combining movement, mime, film and voice.
For research into the history and evolution of public transport in Kerala and the creation of a performance that will be staged on a bus. Engaging with local contexts, histories, literature and the everyday lives of people, the project will employ the bus as a travelling performance space that aims to explore new frameworks for performance and cultivate new audiences.
For a series of performance art workshops exploring imaginative processes of performance-making. Held across different cities in the country, these workshops will result in several performance pieces, titled harkats. The performance-making processes along with critical conversations and reflections on performance art will be documented.
For research into the poetry of Malayalam poet Kadamanitta Ramakrishnan and the ritual folk performance form, Padayani, towards the creation of a new performance work. The resulting performance will try to combine Kadamanitta’s lyrics, the rhythms and theatrical expressions of Padayani—which the poet often used to accentuate and embellish his public performances—with the sound of rock, reggae and the blues.
For the fourth edition of a residency for six emerging choreographers from diverse dance backgrounds and regions. They will work with peers and mentors to develop individual pieces of work, which will be performed for the public at the conclusion of the residency.
