Darpana Theatre Group presents VISARJAN a play by Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath wrote the play on the Shakespearean model, in 1890 when a fierce race was being pursued in the name of Nationalism by every state power to capture its own market. The poet apprehended that this race could lead to violent destruction. Visarjan is the result of this apprehension. He translated the play, which was published as ‘‘Sacrifice’’ in 1917, when the first world war was at its height. The poet dedicated Sacrifice ‘‘to those heroes who bravely stood for peace when human sacrifice was claimed for the Goddess of War’’.

Directed by Jignesh Patel

Duration : 60 minutes

Language : Hindi

SeethanganThullal Thullal, a classical performing art where solo dancers relate stories form our epics, is usually found to be performed both in temple precincts and non-temple premises. Known for its simplicity Thullal is a 200 year old form created by the celebrated poet KunjanNambiar. The 3 types of Thullal differ mainly in meter, rhythm of songs and costume.

Guru Kalamandalam Prabhakaran

Kalamandalam Prabhakaran hails from the family of late Malabar Raman Nair, who made priceless contributions towards the aesthetic enhancement of ‘Thullal’ as a performing art. Kalamandalam Prabhakaran has a remarkable record of over ten thousand performances not only in Kerala but also throughout India and abroad.

‘KalyanaSougandhikam’ – from the Mahabharata

On Draupadi’s request Bhima sets out to fetch a particular flower known to have an exquisite fragrance. On his way Bhima meets Hanuman and asks him to move out of his path so he may pass. Hanuman requests first that Bheema should move his tail with his club. At failing to even move it an inch Bheema’s pride in his strength takes a beating. At this Hanuman reminds Bhima that they are brothers and direct him to where he may find the flowers he is in search of so as to fulfil Droupadi’s desire.

Nangyar Koothu by Kalamandalam Usha

Nangyar Koothu is an allied traditional art of Koodiyattam, normally performed by the Nangiars or the female members of the Chakyar community. This is a solo dance drama is centered on the legends of Sree Krishna, interpreting the verses sung through mime and dance. The mudras, though the same as in Koodiyattam, are even more elaborate that its sister form.

Mizhavu: Kalamandalam Sajikumar

Edakka : Margi Ravikumar

Chakyar Koothu by Kalamandalam Radhakrishnan

ChakyarKoothu is a highly refined monologue where the performer narrates episodes from Hindu epics. Sometimes, however, it is also a traditional equivalent of the modern stand-up comedy act, incorporating commentary on current socio-political events.

OttanThullal by Kalamandalam Prabhakaran

‘Kirtham’ During the time when the Pandavas were living in exile in the forest, Arjuna decided to do penance to please Lord Siva in hope of obtaining n the famous ‘PasupathamAsthram’ which would help in war. At last Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed Arjuna with the famous ‘PasupathamAsthram’. In this story the poet KunjanNambiar depicts a particular kind of social satire illustrating situations such as, a father, however affectionate being unable to bear seeing his son rise above himself in status in life.

Parayan Thullal by Kalamandalam Prabhakaran

‘Pulindimoksham’ (The salvation of Pulundi) Pulindimoksham is a story extolling the invincible powers of Lord Siva. The serpent-hood like headgear worn by the performer and the anklet only on one leg are a couple of the distinctive features of Parayan Thullal. This story that centres on a hunter and his wife Pulindi is, in its essence, a conflict between the material and the spiritual.

Koodiyattam by Kalamandalam Radhakrishnan and Kalamandalam Usha

Koodiyattam, the Sanskrit theatre tradition of Kerala, has been declared a‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity' by UNESCO. Koodiyattam is a unique theatre tradition that has survived in Kerala from an ancient past and deals with the plays of eminent Sanskrit dramatists such as Bhasa, Harsha, Kalidasa, Maendravikrama and Saktibhadra. Koodiyattam has its own distinctive characteristics that are firmly rooted in the culture of Kerala.

Mohiniyattam by Ayswaria Wariar

Mohiniyattan is a traditional dance form practiced by the women of the Kerala.Mohiniyattam literally means the dance of the Mohini, the celestial enchantress. It is a lasya form, demonstrating the feminine charm. Ayswaria Wariar will present Urmila, a padam written by Shri Kavalam Narayana Pannicker followed by Soorya Thatvam, a composition based on Sooryashtakam, Ashtapadi and Shlokam.

Kathakali by The International Centre for Kathakali, New Delhi.

Kathakali is the most well known dance drama from the South Indian state of Kerala. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play". It is known for its elaborate makeup and costumes. The elaborate costumes of Kathakali have become the most recognized icon for Kerala. The themesare usually religious in nature and typically deal with the Mahabarata, the Ramayana and the ancient scriptures known as the Puranas. The performed text is generally Sanskritised Malayalam.

‘KalyanaSaugandhikam’– From the Mahabharata

One day when the Pandavas were in exile the wind wafted a beautiful flower near Draupadi, who was so enchanted by its fragrance that she asked Bhima to find some more flowers of the same sort for her. Bhima finds it after encountering many difficulties on his journey and eventually came to the forest where his step brother, Hanuman lay. While Hanuman wanted to help he felt that Bhima should first be humbled, and then helped.

Bhima- Sadanam M N Harikumar

Draupadi – Kalabharathy Kalyanakrishnan

Hanuman – Thiruvattar Jagadeesan

Vocal – Kottakal K S Jayan and Kalamandalam Manikandan

Chenda – Kalabharathy Jayakumar

Maddalam – Parassinikadavu Manoj

HADOUK TRIO

Hadouk Trio is in town for an exceptional concert which will take us a step further towards and into an ethereal world. Hadouk Trio, created in 1996 has since released 7 albums and have toured the world for last 16 years.

Didlier Matherbe: Doudouk, Soprano Saxophone, Khen, flute

Born in 1943, Didlier Malherbe started on Saxophone when he was 13, after hearing Charlie Parker’s Bloomdido. A trip to India and Afghanistan in the early sixties introduced him to ragas, modal music and the bamboo flute. Having spent many years absorbing musical and rhythmic influences from around the world, Didier developed an avid interest in collecting exotic instruments, each of which offers the opportunity to explore and embrace new styles of playing and approaches to composing.

Loy Ehrlich: Hajouj, Gumbass, Keyboards, Kora.

Born in Paris in 1950.In the 80’s he played with ToureKounds, Bill Laswell, Ginger Baker, YoussouN’Dour, Peter Gabriel. In the 90’s he met Jon Hassel and Steve Shehan, worked with John Lurie, Amina, Geoffrey Oryema and WasisDiop. Always involved in Gnawas music, Loy Ehrlich is Artistic Director of the Gnnawa music festival of Essaouira( Marocco) from 2003-2009 and leads “Band of Gnawa” featuring Louis Bertignac from Telephone, Cyril Atef and Gnaoui musicians as the tribute of the famous “Band of Gypsies”.

Steve Shehan: Percussion, djembe, hang

Composer, performer, multi-instrumentalist, Steve Shehan was born in 1957 in Ft. Eustis, Virginia. He has been based in France since 1978, though his travels since this time have led him virtually around the globe. An atypical route for this composer born in the United States, of a Cherokee father and a French mother and for whom the music is a mode of communication between peoples whatever their language, their culture or their religion.