Feb3
Oct15
Esoteric. What’s that?
Esoteric. What’s that?
es·o·ter·ic: /ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk/[es-uh-ter-ik]: adjective
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest;
2. belonging to the select few.
It is one of the most euphonious words for me. Also, it is a word I seem to use more frequently as I grow up.
On my recent trip to Thailand, this word came rushing to me as I sat down to watch ‘Nijinsky Siam’ performed by The Pichet Klunchun Dance Company. Set in a slightly run down auditorium of a beautiful University campus, I saw an interesting mix of what looked like Thai’s elite in the front seats, juxtaposed with young students at the back.
Lights dim. Curtains rise. And to a deafening silence, three beautiful men dressed in traditional Thai prints begin the show with slow, restrained and highly controlled movements. All three of them holding the character’s portrait in hand, just moved from one side of stage to another in flawless synchronicity. This continued for a good 6 minutes. (Or more.) The concept then took the audience through a beautiful story of a prince, a princess and a villainous monkey. No music. No sound effects – Simple story telling via hard-hitting bodylines and fluid movements. I was spellbound.
Then I saw the silhouette near me twitching, shifting weight from one side to the other, moving in front, staring at the stage, moving behind, staring at the stage. Then the silhouette’s face moved and I heard a loud, bored yawn leaving his mouth. I froze in my seat. And then I yawned too.
This experience made me wonder if art really needs to be too complicated to be called ‘arty’. As a dancer, I was thrilled with the dancers, their talent and their sheer dedication that reflected in every movement of their lithesome body. But beyond that, I didn’t understand anything. Would it be too plebeian of me to ask for some kind of a synopsis before the acts begin? Would it insult the artist’s craft? If art remains so distant, how will it reach everyone?
On the other hand, does the artist not have the freedom to just express? If he has to spell out or justify every act of his, how does he cope with his own emotional struggles? Does an artist owe a justification to anyone besides himself?
Is art for the artist or is it for the audience? I am still thinking.
I am an artist too and it is my constant battle to seek such answers. This is just one step further in this search. And if ever you are in Bangkok, try and get a seat for yourself when Pichet Klunchun is performing. You will not regret it. You will only start thinking.
Megha D’souza
“Saying ‘I dance’ would be an understatement and an insult to my life.
I express. I move. I create.
Every dance movement I make helps me orient myself in reality,
my own emotions, and my own body.”
- Joseph Baldock
Jul26
Part of me…For life
Since I was a little girl I wanted a tattoo. Even then, I remember being aware of its intransience. I wanted to wait until that ‘one’ thing came my way. In anticipation, I used to buy Fusen Gum for its tattoo wrap & got addicted to bubble gum 
A lot of things transpired in the years that followed. A lot of people connected; a lot more I didn’t bother to connect with. A lot of experiences left a mark; a lot more books & trips made me the person I am today. Not to forget some musicians made a lasting impression. My tattoo could be inspired by any of these…So why did I pick this, one would wonder?
All my close friends & family were asked to guess what could be my tattoo design? Something that is a part of me…for life? Unanimous answer was ‘Dance…’, ‘something related to dance’.
I waited for years to finally figure that something I stumbled upon years back is the ONE I want to live with for the rest of my life. While physically dance existed in my life since I was five, today it is connected to me spiritually. Ghungroos…to me signify dance, symbolize music, denote poise, embody expression, epitomize my raison d’être. Today, dance has become something that will define me for life.
Kevin Andrade, an incredible tattoo artist, got my brief bang on. He eternalized my dancing feet and manifested my love for dance through this beautiful master piece.
-Parinda Singh Partner, Tribe of Taal
The feeling I get when I have my ghungroos on... it is ineffable.
Jul1
Ever inspiring, grace immortalized
Legend has it that all Gods and Goddesses were dancers themselves. Isn’t that evident from the temple art around India?
My experience at Khajuraho (apart from the dance fest) was surreal. As I glanced upon the figurines carved upon the temple walls, I tried to envisage what lilting movements preceded that finally got immortalized into these divine sculptures. The grace and poise in these supposedly lifeless murtis is far from frozen.
There are various choreographers and artists who have been mystified by these svelte stone danseuses. Attempts have been made to recreate the magical moves that resulted in these eventual alluring postures.
I am posting some pics from my Khajuraho collection. Some depicting shringaar ras (expression of adornment), some enjoying a daily ritual and others simply living in the moment, these left me mesmerized.
One day Tribe of Taal will endeavor at reliving the dance of Gods.
Parinda
Partner – Tribe of Taal
