A three day water cut had dancer Kapila Palihawadana pondering the concept of the ripple effect.
As with most of his dance productions of the recent past, the inspiration for Kapila’s upcoming dance project- Ripples- came from the simplest of ideas.
“I feel that it is the simplest thought and ideas- those which we tend to take for granted- that can be used to express something really worthwhile,” he says.
Fascinated by the often contradictory nature of the element that covers nearly 70% of the earth’s surface, and the level of neglect with which water is treated, Kapila wasted little time in getting down to work on his latest experiment.
After several weeks of field research, the conceptualization of new movements and some activism on the subject of water, Ripples will take the stage of the open air theatre at Vihara Maha Devi Park on March 23 and 24 at 7 pm.
“If you consider the aesthetics of water, you would realize that water has certain emotions too” reflects Kapila. Whether it’s a stormy sea or a quiet pond in a garden somewhere, it always takes on varying emotions, and what we have tried to do with this dance production is to find creative ways of expressing this fact.”
“Think of one word – one perfect word that can be used to describe water,” challenges Kapila, elaborating on the process of giving water a personality through dance. “There are several new movements involved, all the result of observation and some interesting research.”
Kapila and his dancers are by no means new to the prospect of engaging in research prior to a production. “We like be confident in the fact that we really know our subject, and can relate to it, explains Kapila. “So we make it a point to travel, to take in sights and sounds, and when back in the studio, to try and incorporate these experiences into our movements.”
The objectives of creating awareness and activism are equally important with ‘Ripples’ as with naTANDA’s recent productions. “There is no reason why we cannot provide a platform for some new ideas to be shared, while giving the audience something engaging to watch,” asserts Kapila, once again recalling the manner in which one little incident- a water cut- and the level of irritation and frustration it inspired led him to look more closely at the complex relationship between man and water.
“Just as this sprang from an extremely simple idea,” he says, “I believe that some immediate, simple actions could bring about a noticeable change- even if it is something seemingly insignificant like turning the tap off when you brush your teeth.”
It is with these thoughts in mind that Kapila and the naTANDA Dance Troupe partnered with the International Water Management Institute with the intention of conducting workshops and awareness programmes for young people. “To start with,” says Kapila, “what is important is that we bring about more respect for our natural resources, appreciating the fact that we are the only ones on earth with the power to protect and that it is impossible to sustain ourselves without these resources. Once that realization is achieved, I am sure we would all be a little more responsible.”
Kapila thanks the Goethe Institut, Hillwood College, and the Yoshida Foundation for the support extended toward his new venture. The Sunday Times is the show’s media sponsor.
Tickets for Ripples priced at Rs. 250 and upwards are available at the Goethe Institut. For further details contact Malith on 0728036315. |
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