Rhythm Divine- Touching your spirit.
Why would anyone try to infuse an alien language and col
our to a vibrant and rich culture like the one which Manipur possess? This is exactly the thought that I had in my mind when Astad Deboo's new production 'Rhythm Divine' premiered at Rangashankara in Bangalore on 27th Feb. The production encompassed of Pung Cholom drummers from Manipur and Astad Deboo himself.
The show started with the protagonist (Astad Deboo) wrapped loosley with a translucent sheet of plastic; the Manipuri drummers positioned around him. The scene began with stillness and darkness which lasted a while and slowly you could see the lead dancer showing some sign of life. It made me sigh. The life inside was struggling. It wasn't sure whether the figure or the man inside was trying to come out of his wrap or was just displaying his angst. The piece ended with the man yielding probably to his own angst. The drummers took the main stage sans the drums.
The show moved on with Astad dressed seemingly as a pastor interpreting western classical church music. The piece was slow and the stillness instead of making one restless drew closer to the piece. When the Pung Cholom drummers danced to the western classical tunes the discord was very visible and you wonder why they are made to tread uncomfortable paths.
Finally the western classical music instead of influencing the local tunes was witnessed being influenced by the sound and the flavour of the land. It was a sense of relief and joy that one felt when the drummers and the protagonist dancing to Manipuri rhythms. The drummers had the chance to exhibit their true art with their ever too familiar drums, which they did with much gusto. They depicted Krishna's leelas. The audience's spirit was elevated to a different level, a greatly exhilarating experience.
The transition of the protagonist from the Western to Manipuri was beautifully depicted by Astad. The piece where he dressed in dazzling purple attire which looked similar to a Kathak costume was captivating. Probably it was the highlight of the show. The drummers lined up on the stage and the protagonist dressed in the same traditional costume as the Pung Cholom dancers said it all. The local flavour, the colour and the vigour can't be matched by any outside element. It could be enhanced but never replaced. Hats off to Astad Deboo and Guru Seityaban for this enriching work.
Why would anyone try to infuse an alien language and col
our to a vibrant and rich culture like the one which Manipur possess? This is exactly the thought that I had in my mind when Astad Deboo's new production 'Rhythm Divine' premiered at Rangashankara in Bangalore on 27th Feb. The production encompassed of Pung Cholom drummers from Manipur and Astad Deboo himself.The show started with the protagonist (Astad Deboo) wrapped loosley with a translucent sheet of plastic; the Manipuri drummers positioned around him. The scene began with stillness and darkness which lasted a while and slowly you could see the lead dancer showing some sign of life. It made me sigh. The life inside was struggling. It wasn't sure whether the figure or the man inside was trying to come out of his wrap or was just displaying his angst. The piece ended with the man yielding probably to his own angst. The drummers took the main stage sans the drums.
The show moved on with Astad dressed seemingly as a pastor interpreting western classical church music. The piece was slow and the stillness instead of making one restless drew closer to the piece. When the Pung Cholom drummers danced to the western classical tunes the discord was very visible and you wonder why they are made to tread uncomfortable paths.
Finally the western classical music instead of influencing the local tunes was witnessed being influenced by the sound and the flavour of the land. It was a sense of relief and joy that one felt when the drummers and the protagonist dancing to Manipuri rhythms. The drummers had the chance to exhibit their true art with their ever too familiar drums, which they did with much gusto. They depicted Krishna's leelas. The audience's spirit was elevated to a different level, a greatly exhilarating experience.
The transition of the protagonist from the Western to Manipuri was beautifully depicted by Astad. The piece where he dressed in dazzling purple attire which looked similar to a Kathak costume was captivating. Probably it was the highlight of the show. The drummers lined up on the stage and the protagonist dressed in the same traditional costume as the Pung Cholom dancers said it all. The local flavour, the colour and the vigour can't be matched by any outside element. It could be enhanced but never replaced. Hats off to Astad Deboo and Guru Seityaban for this enriching work.
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