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Expressing
life Dealing with various contrasting themes, this new production definitely seems to be fitting its title. “Expressions of Life,” involves six dance items, one different from the other, in form, technique and subject matter. “I wanted to do a production that would really give something to the audience. Something that would be worthwhile,” says Janaki Edirisinghe, director of the production. The proceeds of the show incidentally, will be contributed to “Sri Lankan Cares,” a project by Sri Lankan Air Lines, in aid of the education of children affected by the tsunami. “I don’t agree with the seemingly popular concept of dancing for songs. It’s the words in a song that gives it its meaning. So when the meaning of songs is duplicated in a dance, it totally kills the meaning of the song. It’s also an insult of some sort, to the song writer, since his or her words are being ignored to make way for the actions of the dance,” she said, adding that this was one of the main reasonings behind her production. “What we have done is improvise with music, and used the body, expressions, feelings and emotions to give out a complete, meaningful creation.” Studying traditional dance forms such as low country dancing for over ten years from teachers such as Kalings Obeywansha and Sedaram, Janaki was also a pupil at the Maya Shakthi theatre school. “But I felt the need to break away from the traditional dance forms and prefer to experiment with free style movements. This makes “expressing” more successful,” she says. Experiencing many hardships in her younger days, she believes that she has finally reached a point that she has been looking forward to with much hope, with this production being the climax. Janaki also teaches dance at the Noguchi Children’s Home, visiting the kids thrice a week to teach them various dance forms and drama. The ten members of the cast are all talented in various styles of dancing, but free style will be the key mode of expression in “Expressions of Life.” While the first item is titled “Dance of Shiva,” this duet deals with the coming together of God Shiva and his female counter part. The second item though based on the misfortune of the legendary Patachara, has been given a modern interpretation and deals with the similar plight of mothers who faced the recent tsunami tragedy. It shows how a happy young family going about their daily chores, is unexpectedly made victim to the natural disaster. “Spirit of Sunset” – the third item, is a colourful solo, which brings out the vibrant nature of this beautiful scene. “Love and Passion,” the next item, shows how a friendly relationship of two females could be completely changed with the entrance of a male on the scene. The dance item shows how the man is confused as to whom he should choose, as he appreciates the different characteristics of both women. Jealousy slowly takes over, but the ending eventually brings the three characters together. The fifth item titled the “Makusa,” is a mix of rhythmic Egyptian music and Latin dance moves full of vitality brought out by its four young dancers. “Future of Youth,” the final dance item brings out the realistic argument between a parent and an adolescent about to walk out into the world. The conversation between the father and daughter takes place with the father’s headings coming from off-stage. Confident she is ready to face the challenges of the world, the young girl continues to prove herself to her father and ultimately leaves her safe haven to experience the unknown. “I have been involved in the arts for as long as I remember, as a result of my father being a theatre artiste. From a very young age, he always told me not to restrain myself. He used to teach me free style moves like distance jumping and spinning movements,” says Deshapriya Mihiripanna, who is the choreographer for three of the dance items, while performing the solo as well. “I was encouraged to use my imagination and create my own dance moves and it is this basis that has got me so far.” Beginning his education in the arts at the Deepashika Ranga Peetaya and Kalayathanaya, he also studied at the Lucknow Bhathkanda in India, and continues to be involved in choreography. Desha’s music ensemble “Yaga,” with Hemal de Alwis on rhythm guitar, Pabulu Eranga on drum and percussion, Samindu Gunasekara on bass guitar and Desha himself on key board and vocals, supply the music for the first dance item of the production. “I have learnt Kandyan dance, ballet and Western dance forms but I prefer not to limit myself to these dance forms only. My teacher Basil Mihiripanna, always encouraged us to be open minded when it comes to expressing ourselves in dance,” says Kanchana Kuari, another cast member. “My whole life is the arts, and I enjoy what I’m doing. I hope to do my own ballet soon, and being involved in this production will be a good experience for me.” For Tharya de Silva, getting involved in the production was a result of a personal connection to the project. “Since the proceeds of the production is going to the Sri Lankan Cares project and since my father is attached to Sri Lankan Air Lines, I thought of getting involved in the production as well,” she said, speaking for herself as well as the other three members of the dance items. “We are all classmates at school, and this is an item we have choreographed on our own and performed at a competition in school. While Tharya is a student of Antonio’s Dance Circle, and the other three dancers are students at Dance World, they have all been dancing for the last two and a half years. Amila Nishanka (12) and Mohomad Asmi (11), are both talented youngsters who will be performing in the production. “We are taught dance, drama and ballet by Ms. Janaki at the Noguchi Children’s Home,” says Amila. “We have danced before at the Home, but this is the first time we are dancing for a show like this,” says Mohomad, happily adding that “Ms. Janaki” teaches them break dance as well, whenever she is free. The costumes for the production are by Lou Chin Wong. The music is by Fun Time and the backdrops and sets are by Theatre Lines. The sponsor for the production is Sri Lankan Air Lines. So for a relaxing evening complete with an interesting blend of dance forms, make your way to the Punchi Theatre next weekend. “Expressions of Life” will be performed on May 7 (invitees only) and 8 (public) at 6.30 p.m. Tickets are now available at the venue. |
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