IFA@Bangalore: Archaeology of Listening Practices in Theatre | Bangalore International Centre | October 26, 2017

India Foundation for the Arts
in collaboration with
Bangalore International Centre
presents
Archaeology of Listening Practices in Theatre
a presentation by Umashankar Mantravadi
followed by a discussion with Girish Karnad
Thursday, October 26, 2017 | 06:30 PM | Bangalore International Centre
TERI Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur II Stage, Bangalore - 560 071

Join us for an exciting lecture-demonstration that excavates into the world of yore, as you hear about the sonic properties of historical sites of performance, with a stalwart from the field of sound, Umashankar Mantravadi, on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Bangalore International Centre.

Umashankar will be joined by Padma Bhushan awardee, thespian, filmmaker and writer Girish Karnad for an animated discussion post the lecture.

Umashankar will not only talk about his project in archaeoacoustics, an area of research dealing with the sound properties of ancient theatre/performance spaces, but will also demonstrate the working of his acoustic system at this exciting event!

For his project in archaeoacoustics, Umashankar aurally mapped two ancient performance sites - Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradesh and Vadakkamnathan Temple, Kerala. The project attempts to challenge the dominant visual understanding of history of these sites, to recognise the significance of sonic properties in the building and conservation of these spaces. His study also examines the effects of industrialisation on our current listening practices in theatre spaces. He will engage with these ideas, and talk about his inventions and experiences of the project.

Umashankar Mantravadi is senior Indian sound technician and inventor, considered a maestro for his work with sound recording and archiving. An enthusiast in electronics, he has been credited with many inventions in sound technology. Some of his inventions are now in popular use in the industry, but he was a pioneer in creating them on shoestring budgets. He was also instrumental in setting up and maintaining the Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology (part of the American Institute of Indian Studies), Gurgaon. His latest invention is the ambisonic tetrahedral microphone system called Brahma.

Girish Karnad is an Indian playwright, author, actor, and film director whose films and plays, are written largely in Kannada. His plays often employ history and mythology to engage with contemporary issues, and have been widely translated into English and many Indian languages. Some of his famous works as a playwright include Tughlaq, Hayavadana and Nagamandala. Among his numerous accolades he is a Rhodes Scholar and a recipient of Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, and multiple National Film Awards.

Do join us for tea and snacks before the event at 06:00 PM!

Umashankar Mantravadi received a grant from India Foundation for the Arts under the Arts Practice programme, with support from Titan Company Limited.

This grant showcase was made possible with support from Titan Company Limited.