Times of India, author - 21/02/2009
Movements redefined Attakkalari's multi-media dance production;

Chronotopia was staged in the city Jayachandran Palazhy, artistic director of Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts talks about his latest production, its contemporary approach and the language of movement. On Chronotpia Chronotopia is all about dealing with the sense of loss in contemporary times. Life today has become increasingly uncertain and insecure. We live in a world marred by wars, terrorism and multiple forms of suffering. It is depicted through the plight of women? her rage, anger and fighting back. The protagonists are three women and the story unfolds in a non-linear narrative style.
The inspiration Chronotopia is a take off from Silappathikaram. There are parallels. But it is not the archetypical depiction of Kannagi. The concept of tinai "inner emotions of characters" are reflected through landscapes. We have used metaphors, multi-media and abstracts to narrate the story and bring in the imaginary landscape. The unique movement language in the repertory It is a coming together of several movement ideas, aesthetic principles, its development, processing and improvisations. We have borrowed from bharatanatyam, folk arts, body-care systems and transformed it. Localised movements with an empirical approach has made the programme very dynamic. When you dance, the ideas are reflected in the body and by fine-tuning the body you get codified images. It is called multiple intelligence, or kinesthetic intelligence. On contemporary dance Contemporary dance is an expression through movement that processes memory, experience and imagination. The emphasis of contemporary dance lies in originality, innovation and creativity. It is an exciting interdisciplinary approach. It engages itself with daily concerns, issues and experiences and offers immense possibilities. It is the unleashing of creativity to its zenith. It goes beyond the narrative form of expression and becomes a total sensorial experience for the audience. A visual poetry of sorts. The language of dance Dance has been the most important form of expression in our culture. Dance connects the body, mind and spirit. To be able to dance is to live life somewhat fully. Besides, dance has a very unifying kind of influence without barriers of culture, society or language. Dance sculpts human bodies through time. Appreciation for contemporary productions The understanding comes from a mixture of inborn ideas and acquired tastes. The history of viewing matters a lot. Contemporary dance form respects the intelligence of the audience and also the creativity of artiste. An artiste is only a milestone and the picture is completed with the audience involvement. People react to contemporary dance from a gut level. The Chennai audience has a strong artistic taste, background and when they embrace change, it is very powerful. On Chennai I am very nostalgic about Chennai. I was a student of the Dhananjayans and also studied in Kalakshetra. I can't forget the street corners and the long walks on the beach. The smells and sounds of the city and the colours and tastes still enchant me. Besides I am also passionately in love with the Tamil language. sindhu vijayakumar

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