Conceived, choreographed and directed by danseuse/choreographer, Anita Ratnam, "SUVVADU" (Three Steps to...) is specially created for young audiences and offers glimpses into the pressures that beseige young lives.

An audial and visual panorama "SUVVADU" (Three steps to...), highlights an urban sensibility, with over 10 dancers from Arangham Dance Theatre along with Chennai's high school students, who sensitively articulate the maladies of their times. The fast-paced production reflects once again the contemporary approach to all of Arangham Dance Theatre's work, with its stress on technical finesse and an astonishing versatility.

With irony and humour, "SUVVADU" (Three steps to...) captures the robotic sameness that benumbs life in the city. The city's lament seems to be, "We live in crowded cities but we live in isolation. We live in streets of subtle violence, largely ignored or sidelined. We live in atmospheres of deadened, clockwork identities - same clothes, same food, same attitudes - all must match, to matter." But the weight of conformity finally cracks. The euphoric finale reflects the joy and optimism with which the new millennium is heralded.

The production has a Tamil script with contributions by distinguished Tamil writer Va Ve Su and presented by noted television personality Revathy Sankkaran.

With special focus on Arangham's Art-and-Activism programme, the show has been visiting Chennai schools since October 2000. Plans are on to present a special show for Corporation Schools as well as visit other schools in Tamilnadu.

CREDITS

Concept, choreography: ANITA RATNAM

Narrator: REVATHY SANKKARAN

College Student: ADITI RAVINDRANATH

Clown: M.PALANI

Dancers: AARTI M BODANI, L NARENDRA KUMAR, YAGNA PRABHA, THIRUCHELVAM, GUHENDRA, MADHUSUDANAN, SUCHITRA, LATA CHANDRASEKHAR, SANGEETHA, VIDHYA PRABHA & DIVYA KASTURI

School Students: On Invitation from select schools

Script developed by: VA VE SU, REVATHY SANKKARAN & ANITA RATNAM

Music: By various artistes, selected & edited by ANITA RATNAM

Costumes: C A JOY - Joy Boutique, Chennai

Technical Director: VICTOR PAULRAJ

"Third Eye": M NATESH