A visual and musical seduction conceptualised by Delhi-based theatre director Roysten Abel, had a visible moving effect on the packed audiences who were present for the opening night of this international contemporary arts festival.
The four-storey, magical wall of light, stood grand under the full-moon night of this January evening. The collective effort of the technical team and support staff to put this magnificent set, which took close to 48 hours to complete – finally paid off when The Manganiyar Seduction began.
The 36 squares, accommodating 43 artistes unfolded seamlessly through the night – beginning with a lone, single cubicle which lit up and released the first strains of the kamancha, a stringed-instrument, that the audience had been waiting for. A sold-out audience consisting of Kannada literature powerhouse UR Ananthamurthy, Sudhakar Rao, former Chief Secretary of Karnataka, Dr. Issac Mathai, director of Soukya and international artists of the Biennial gasped, sighed and clapped. Then the second cubicle lit up, revealing the Mame Khan who layered the existing Rajasthani music with vocals. Subsequently, the other cubicles lit up, illuminating the audience through a dramatic visual and musical extravaganza.
Each musical strain was preceded by the drawing of the red velvet curtains from different squares revealing a new performer. The effect of the performance was mesmerising!
Apart from vocals, the instruments elevated the performance were - dhols (a double-sided barrel drum), algozas (woodwind instrument), dholaks (a drum played on the player's lap), sarangis (a bowed, short-necked string instrument, bhapang (a single-stringed percussion instrument), the kamancha (a Persian bowed string instrument), morchang (a Jew’s harp), murli (flute) and kartal (a percussion rhythm instrument with pairs of metal disks)
The action-packed visual performance by The Manganiyars reflected tradition of the inborn singers and instrumentalists from Rajasthan. The Manganiyar Seduction is also symbolic as it reflects secularism that lies in abundance, only in India. The performance highlighted the syncretic qualities of this community of singers.
The 70-minute show, a blend of qawwali tradition and breathtaking music with expressions from the poetry of Rumi and Hafez, appealed to the Bangalore audience today. The night closed with a song led by Deu Ram, the only Hindu member of this 43-member strong vocal-and-instrumental storm, transporting the audience into a silent, meditative trance. Everyone left utterly seduced.
The Attakkalari India Biennial 2013 is on from 25th January to 3rd February at the Jayamahal Palace Hotel, Ranga Shankara, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Alliance Francaise and ADA Rangamandira. The tickets for shows are priced at Rs. 300, Rs.500 and Rs. 1000 for shows at Jayamahal Palace Hotel, Rs. 200 for all shows at Ranga Shankara, Rs.100 and Rs. 300 for the shows at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Rs. 200 for the shows at Alliance Francaise and Rs. 200 for the shows at ADA Rangamandira. Log on to www.attakkalaribiennial.org. And follow our event coverage on aib2013.tumblr.com. The tickets for shows are available at the venues and on www.bookmyshow.com. For telebooking of tickets please call 39895050
About Attakkalari: Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts is India’s premier organization in the field of contemporary movement arts. Attakkalari’s Repertory company has evolved a unique movement language and is at the forefront of interdisciplinary works in India. The company tours widely in India and abroad.
Attakkalari’s underlying philosophy – ‘Traditional Physical Wisdom, Innovation and Technology’ drives its many activities which include Education and Outreach programmes, a Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media, Research and Documentation, the Attakkalari India Biennial and the Repertory Company. Additionally stage and performance solutions are offered by TransMedia Technologies – the technical division of Attakkalari.
For more information, please visit www.attakkalari.org
