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Talking Drums Contemporary Dances 12 mins, 1999, 7-10 Dancers Synopsis 
A pulsating contemporary dance with a wonderful blend of dance and atheleticism it uses nine percussion instruments - the mridangam, ghatam, ganjira, konnakkol, mathalam, thudumbe, udukkai, pambai and thavil. The dance employs syncopated rhythms and cross rhythms with Bharatanatyam, Tamil folk and Modern movements in the choreography. An International collaboration between Arangham and Houston artistes Renowned Texas based dancer and choreographer Rathna Kumar and Anita Ratnam forged an artistic collaboration with dramatic results. During a three week process at Houston, Texas, USA, in June/July 1999, with 18 members of Kumar's Anjali Dance Company, Ratnam and two senior members of the Arangham Dance Theater Group, Aarti Bodani and L.Narendra Kumar created an exciting 60 minute ensemble work called TALKING DRUMS. 
The work premiered in July 1999 and marks one of the first attempts of an India-based choreographer to set original and modern works on dancers of Indian-American origin. "Talking Drums" contains an original score of 12 South Indian percussion instruments, all played by master drummer N.K.Kesavan, a key figure in the musical scores of well known film composer Ilayaraja and an indispensable artist with modern dancers and musicians in India. "Talking Drums" uses only traditional Indian syllables - spoken and played - to cross geographical and intellectual boundaries, seeking to resonate in the minds of bodies of dancers who live many continents away from their parents' homeland. The deliberate asymmetry and changes from the assonance of traditional Indian dance make it a stimulating ensemble and endows it with an overall quality of poised excitement. A pulsating contemporary dance with a wonderful blend of dance and atheleticism it uses nine percussion instruments - the mridangam, ghatam, ganjira, konnakkol, mathalam, thudumbe, udukkai, pambai and thavil. The dance employs syncopated rhythms and cross rhythms with Bharatanatyam, Tamil folk and Modern movements in the choreography. For more details check Workshops Back Stage  Speaking about the Houston experience, Anita Ratnam said "I have known and admired Rathna Kumar for many years and was delighted to accept her invitation to work with her company. I had never worked with teenage dancers before and this visit forced me revisit my tradition and discover the elements which could translate across age groups and a variety of talents". Narendra and Aarti also felt that it was a great learning experience and they made some fine friends. "I was so impressed by their punctuality and their commitment, even though they aren't regular dancers," said Narendra. "It was really nice to see them so stimulated and innovative by the end of our workshop with them," confided Aarti. "Talking Drums" was re-performed by Anjali's dancers at the Arthur Miller Outdoor Arena, Houston, for India's Independence Day on August 15th,1999. Another short item from the repertoire, "Vinayaaka", was also re-performed by Anjali's dancers on August 28, 1999 at the Ganesha Temple in Houston. Rathna Kumar acknowledges too that "this item is one of the most popular items in our repertoire." Critics Speak "Talking Drums was a dance quake generated by the dynamic friction of dance tradition and innovation in the fertile mind of the renowned dancer-choreographer Anita Ratnam... It is certainly a trail blazing program that will be talked about for a long time. - V.Prabhakar, Community News, Houston Responses The entire experience was extremely moving and emotional for me. Being part of the discussions before choreography was set and then performing ("Unsaid" in particular) helped me see the connection between dance and life. It reflected my own journey as a woman and the non-beautiful moments in life and relationships. - Mini Paul, Dancer, Anjali Dance Company, Houston I normally stay away from dance shows of any sort but this is one programme I enjoyed thoroughly, especially "Forest Frenzy". - Jayanth Ramakrishnan, Director, Houston Operations, Dynacs Eng.Co.Inc.  |