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Ballet takes to the hilt with Kumbi Kathawa :
Ant invasion
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Kumbi Kathawa (Ant
story), the 2007 children's ballet composed by Anjalika, Chitrasena and
Vajira's daughter, will go on boards the Bishop's College Auditorium
from August 28 to 30. The shows are scheduled at 8 p.m. on Friday and
5.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the weekend
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Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
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Anjalika |
Chitrasena and Vajira are two names which have remained synonymous
and unchallenged in the upheaval of the local dance history. Their
contribution to enriching dance had been so much that they are regarded
as legends. With ballets like Karadiya, Kinkini Kolama and Nala
Damayanthi and children's ballets like Hapana and Run Kikili, they have
made their mark in the hearts of the audience and young inspiring
dancers to come for centuries.
Now the team of the Chitrasena Vajira Dance Foundation are back in
action after a lapse with Kumbi Kathawa the children's ballet which won
raving reviews and applause ever since it took to the stage in 2007. The
following are excerpts from an interview with its creator, Anjalika
Chitrasena.
"The story derives from a popular Russian children's tale which I had
read during my childhood. The book itself was beautifully illustrated
and I was influenced by my mother's children's ballet productions. I
also possess a passion to work with children and have worked closely
with them and have learnt to understand their thoughts. Kumbi Kathawa
was formed some years back," explained the talented choreographer who is
also a qualified Montessori teacher.
She admitted that it had taken them five years to bring it on stage,
mainly because they did not have a place to practice. She said, "For
about 25 years we did not have a school. We moved from place to place
and hired halls for rehearsals. Though things were not easy we never
lost heart. We practiced at my brother's garage in Nawala and that was
where the initial stages of the ballet took shape."
Anjalika's daughter, Heshman, is the driving force behind Kumbi
Kathawa. She had been in USA engaged in the theatre arts degree and
during her visits abroad Anjalika had witnessed a number of foreign
productions which further triggered her creativity.
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Thaji as the mosquito |
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A scene from Kumbi Kathawa staged in 2007. Pictures by Luxman
Nadaraja and Alefiya Akbarally |
"This drove me to composing a production that is very different from
my parent's work. Nowadays children see so much of the world around
them. They are exposed to a lot of elements. I was inspired by some of
the tales from Disney Land like the Mad Hatter's tea party in 'Alice in
Wonderland' for my creation," Anjalika enlightened recalling the
processions she had seen in the streets where people dress as animals
and objects to bring in the magical atmosphere linked with childhood
imagination.
Half way through, when practices where in full swing, the Tsunami
struck. Significantly Kumbi Kathawa too encompasses an episode where
floods hit the dwelling of the ants and other insects. Staging the
creation during that period would have stirred up emotions of the people
the project was put in the back burner.
"The project finally took off when Heshma returned. She helped me to
put the scenes in an order and with the lighting and stage decor. One of
our students, Mahesh, designed the costumes. All the students played
their part from sewing the costumes to performing roles and compiling
the stage settings," she stressed the team work which had been the key
behind the ballet's success.
The 2009 production of Kumbi Kathawa comprises a lot of new faces.
However Thaji who gave a powerful performance in the role of the
mosquito will take on her character in the earlier production.
"It is difficult to do the whole story again with a new cast but
their enthusiasm is heartening," Anjalika smiled.
Reflecting back on the time when her parents hypnotized the local
theatre, Anjalika noted that the costumes were very simple then. She
said that they emphasized the movements of the character the projected
more than the costumes.
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The moral
behind the tale |
Kumbi Kathawa
is a story of which brings forth many human qualities such as
the strength of unity, work for the greater good of the
community, greed and corruption, not succumbing to despair, a
positive outlook towards life, quick thinking in a moment of
crisis, forgiveness and compassion.
The story does not centre on ants alone. Audiences will be
captivated by the graceful movements of characters portraying
butterflies, grasshoppers, ladybirds, fireflies and a mosquito.
The team’s goal is to transport the beholders into a fantasy
realm of the insect world.
The ballet will open with a scene of the ants’ daily life style.
They are known to be hard workers and that is exactly what the
opening will portray as figures dressed in colourful costumes
scurry along the stage.
Then after a sequence of entertaining scenes comes the enemy!
The mosquito invades the stage and the dwelling of the ants.
Tragedy and danger follows and the ants have to flee in search
of a new home. Feelings of discouragement and pessimism exist
but strong emotions and bonds hold them together. |
"We decided to change with time and made use of the detailed costumes
designed by Mahesh. A lot more technology also comes to play," the
gifted dancer said.
Around 60 students between seven and their late twenties will take
part in the 2009 production of Kumbi Kathawa. A blend of a various forms
of music makes up the tunes which accompany the dancers in the ballet.
Focusing on the present situation of local ballet she said that the
situation is in very poor form.
"The main problem is the financial crisis. It is very difficult to
stage a ballet today as it is not everybody who has the facilities to
put up a show. The same goes for us. We had to seek help from the
parents in staging the ballet," she said adding that there is lack of
funds to aid those who wish to take local ballet to a higher level.
"We mold dancers to take to the stage and become more involved with
theatre work.
I conduct a special class for students under seven titled Punchi Pada
where I train them on free movements, music, rhythm and meditation. We
highlight the importance of our culture to our students," she concluded. |
