Folk theatre unplugged

THE FIVE from `Chilanka' are here in Chennai with a purpose. First, to brief on their `mission overseas,' and then for a demonstration.

Ajoy Varma, senior performer and instructor, and his team for four performing artists - Adarsh, Aji Kumar, Asha Joy and Jomy George - are excited about the new opportunity that has come their way.

They all belong to Chilanka, a Kottayam-based traditional folk theatre, which has been making waves in Kerala for a while.

And now, it is time to spread their wings a little further.

Their new venture: to train actors for the much- awaited Indo- U.S. project floated by award-winning cinematographer-turned- director, Rajiv Anchal, `Beyond the Soul.'

Rajiv, the man who has built up an awesome reputation and following in Kerala, reveals a little about the movie in the making.

``The story begins with a shot of Thrissur pooram (festival),'' he says. ``That will come out as a very big difference for people in other countries,'' he adds.

Then tradition makes way to modernity as the protagonist crosses the seven seas to reach the land of promises. ``He lands there and...gets lost,'' Rajiv says. There begins the U.S. leg of the story, the part which involves Ajoy and his team.

``In fact I should say that Ajoy and his team is central to the story and the movie. Without them, I will not be able to create the effects that means so many different things at the same time,'' he adds. Slightly like Manoj Night Shyamalan, but only slightly so.

The movie which combines traditional Indian elements against a backdrop of western classical music composed by Chennai-based maestro Ilayaraja, promises to be a watershed event in Indian film making.

``Just as we learn from working with Hollywood technicians, they too will from us,'' says Rajiv.

The Chilanka troupe who will bring to life the `illusion' aspect in the movie are happy that their work will have a wider audience.

``The best thing about working with Rajiv is that he tells us what he wants and leaves the execution to us,'' says Ajoy.

``He knows that we understand folk theatre better,'' he adds.

Ajoy speaks about the kind of work that goes into the making of folk artists: ``The training of the performing artists is long and strenuous. A strict regimen of exercise and massage is designed to develop suppleness and stamina so that the artist can endure all-night performances.''

``The dances require that the artist has complete control over every aspect of the presentation. There are elaborate exercises for each part of the face and body to develop a dramatic language of expression,'' adds Adarsh.

The result to be achieved at the end of all the strenuous training is this: ``The artist can portray the sadness of a tragic story or the bliss of a heavenly experience simply with his eyes,'' says Aji.

The characters in the ritual dance-drama wearing multi-coloured headgear and costumes enact a story, which generally centres around the subjugation of evil by a goddess in fury.

It is a different, almost surreal experience.

Colourful images appear beneath the light of torches.

The accompaniment - traditional drums from Kerala - adds to the quality scene.

Elaborate make up is used to create the characters in the dance- drama.

Symbolic colours are used to differentiate the demons from the gods.

The range of folk theatre will find expression at appropriate times in the film, says Rajiv, who is leaving in the next few days to start his U.S. leg of the schedule.

``Mammootty plays the lead role. We expect to rope in Madhuri (Dixit), who is now in the U.S.,'' says Rajiv.

After a 20- day long shoot of the first schedule, the entire troupe will return to Kerala for filming the second schedule.

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Syndicate decision on two professors' fate
           tomorrow
Next     : Activity 2001