For a residency that supports four emerging choreographers to explore and test their creative ideas, develop their choreographic skills and build a working methodology for dance creation. The resident artists will each be paired with a mentor who will help to stimulate their interpretive and creative processes. The residency will culminate with a public presentation of original solo or ensemble performances by the resident artists.
For making of an innovative biographical film on the path-breaking Marathi playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar, which will also explore the history and notions of experimentation in Marathi theatre. The film’s narrative will be driven by multiple voices and move seamlessly across Elkunchwar’s life and ideas in a non-linear manner, juxtaposing ‘real’ situations, people and spaces with the playwright’s ‘theatrical’ characters, situations and locals.
For the transformation of the Humayuna-nama, a sixteenth century chronicle of the Mughal emperor Humayun’s life, into a performance called Gulbadan, which will combine shadow puppetry and live acting with cinematic techniques and other visual media. Among other things, Gulbadan will portray the rarely recounted lives of Mughal women, their role in the Mughal court and the politics of the harem, which the chronicle documents in great detail.
For the intensive education of twelve young boys in the Kashmiri theatre form, Bhand Pather, with a special focus on its musical aspects. The project builds on an earlier grant for a 35-day workshop, which initiated a large group of youngsters into the theatre form. This two-year programme will turn out a cadre of proficient Bhand Pather practitioners, while also creating breathing space for cultural expression in the strife-ridden Kashmir Valley.
For the production of a film on the history, form, style and aesthetics of the mobile theatre of Assam. The film will record the transformation in themes and repertoire of this genre of performance, capture the experience and perspectives of its promoters, directors, actors, technicians and stagehands, and document the impact of globalisation on its practice.
For the making of a fictional film on the Indian magic lantern or Shambharik Kharolika, the late nineteenth century cinema projections made with painted images on glass. The film will recreate the performance of Shambharik Kharolika and navigate through the lives of its practitioners. Stylistically, the film will reference the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and the painted curtains of the Parsi theatre, which influenced the practitioners of the Indian magic lantern.
For an international conference titled Reviewing Disciplinary Agendas in Theatre Studies: Cultural Arenas, Policies, Institutions, which will address a crucial phase in the history of theatrical activity (1930-1970) in India. The proceedings of the conference will be published.
This Grant was Terminated by IFA and the Grantee is ineligible to apply to IFA in the future.
For research and study of the art and science of daguerreotype photography in order to build and experiment with a daguerreotype camera and work towards a book on the form.Through training and exposure to the international contemporary daguerreotype community, the artist will extend his knowledge of image-making and attempt to expand the domain of Indian art photography.
For identifying and compiling critical writing on the visual arts published in the twentieth century in various Hindi magazines and journals. This will be followed by a critical evaluation of major twentieth century visual artists. The project will result in a published collection of articles and essays on individual visual artists.
For the creation of a performance to be developed collaboratively by a dancer and light architect. The artists will explore and experiment with the movement principles of Bharatnatyam and aim to give a new dimension to its spatial and architectural forms through light and image installations.
