Chennai
Kalarigram, a martial arts school based in Auroville, and Water Carriers, a theatre group based in Reunion Island, are jointly organising a dance and theatre show inspired by the oldest martial art of the world, kalaripayattu. Through the show titled Bhu (Earth) the performers aim at invoking the spirit of the panchabhuthas
“The story is about how a young warrior carrying the memory of the earth realising he misses something crucial inside him. He then meets a kalaripayattu master and assumes he will learn the secret of the martial arts from him and become a great fighter. Instead, the master teaches him how to fight his fears and ego through kalaripayattu. The master teaches him how to dance with the panchabhuthas and becomes a father figure to the warrior. Through the process, the warrior rediscovers his deep connection with Mother Earth,” says Nikhil Varagiri, the lead performer, explaining the concept of his show.
This one-and-a-half hour interactive performance is directed by Philippe Pelen Baldini and Thierry Moucazambo and is produced by Lakshman Gurukkal of Kalarigram. Nikhil says that Bhu is an experimental play which makes use of both modern theatrical choreographic tools as well as the traditional form of kalaripayattu to create a contemporary dance show. “ Bhu is our tribute to Mother Earth and is a genuine attempt to reintroduce kalaripayattu to the modern audience. We need to rediscover and revive kalari’s benefits,” the performer says.
Bhu features a cast of six performers, all of whom are kalaripayattu exponents. “There will be live music with traditional Indian instruments and a recorded soundtrack of earth sounds. There are only minimal dialogues, but more of background chants. We hope that the unique combination of theatre, dance, and kalaripayattu will engage the audience,” Nikhil adds.
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