Transfigurations features the world premiere of two contemporary modern works choreographed by Dutch-born Kalpana Raghuraman (Korzo Theatre, The Hague) and Sutra’s choreographer Rathimalar Govindarajoo. The two works examine myths – the archetypes of mythology and how their avatars perpetuate these in our contemporary psyches in various transfigurations.
Synopsis
Production Information
- Production / Presenting Company:Sutra Foundation
- Artistic Director / Curator / Programme Coordinator:Ramli Ibrahim
- Date:29 August – 2 September 2012
- Total Showing:5
- Venue:KLPac
- State:Kuala Lumpur
Individual Dance Items
Item #1
- Title:Panjara
- Item Synopsis / Program Notes:
In Myths, Woman is identified with creation and protection and is described in the context of fertility and reproduction. She creates and sustains mankind as Mother-nature. As the Female principal, she is Goddess who is life-giving, life-sustaining, and life-producing.
In reality, especially in the case of Asian women, the picture is far from the ideal they are mythically assigned. The very cultures that have spawned these myths, perpetuate her oppression and marginalization. In the present scenario, majority of women are disenfranchised and suppressed. Women are cynically begrudged when the full extent of their capabilities are known – their iconoclastic transformations cause them to be called contemporary ‘super-woman’. How far can women compromise what is due to their rights as human beings and to fulfill the full spectrum of their dynamism in this fast changing world? In a world where the mythic cultural models has been dis-conditioned since young, can there be a re-connection between the modern ‘super-woman’ avatars with those old? Under the patriarchal shadow of Man, the Panjara becomes the battle-ground where women grapple with issues that plague their kind…
- Choreographer:Rathimalar Govindarajoo
- Category:Contemporary
- Dancers:Nalina Nair, Tan Mei Mei, Sivagama Valli, Geethika Sree, Talyssa, Rathimalar, Divya Nair
- Composer:Edwin Anand
- Other Information:
Lighting designer: Sivarajah Natarajan
Item #2
- Title:She Ra
- Item Synopsis / Program Notes:
Co-produced with Korzo Theatre, The Netherlands
Superheroes are usually represented as strong, courageous personalities with infinite powers. Characters from Indian mythology that are serious superhero material such as Arjuna, Durga, Shiva, Hanuman or Kannagi show us that there is more to them than just testosterone. They also represent qualities such as loyalty, honesty and perseverance. Instead of representing these characters through narrative, the dancers in She Ra are inspired by their energies and qualities. In this exploration it becomes clear that a true superhero dares to put down his barriers and be vulnerable. It is this vulnerability that makes a superhero even more courageous and inspirational. She Ra reminds us that everybody has a superhero hiding inside of us, waiting to be discovered and reclaimed.
- Choreographer:Kalpana Raghuraman
- Category:Contemporary
- Dancers:Rathimalar, Duvya Nair, Geethika Sree, Tan Mei Mei, Sivagama Valli / Jyotsnaa, Nalina Nair, Harenthiren
- Composer:Simone Giacomini
- Other Information:
Lighting designer: Sivarajah Natarajan, Kalpana Raghuraman
Dramaturgical Advicer: Leo Spreksel (artistic director, Korzo Theatre)
Credit
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