'Ripples'of delight
Addressing aqua emotions through dance:
Pure water is the world's first and foremost
medicine. ~ Slovakian Proverb
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
Water is essential for life. No living being on planet Earth can
survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being
as well as for the preservation of the environment.
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Scenes from
Signspeak |
Renowned choreographer Kapila Palihawadane who embarks on many a
diverse topic for his dance productions had come up with yet another
unique theme for his latest creation. Titled 'Ripples' the dance
production is based on water conservation.
"We basically address the emotions of water in the production. Some
years back a bottle of water was Rs 10. Now it had more than doubled its
price. This is because we do not realize the value of water. People
waste water and throw garbage into rivers and lakes," Kapila said.
People feel comfort and pleasure once they are in contact with water.
At the same time water can be a source of violence and destruction as in
the case of the tsunami.
"Water is like a doubled-edged sword. It can be so beautiful as well
as dangerous at the same time. Hope, stubbornness, violence and cruelty
are other emotions that we have touched upon in the project. The nATANDA
senior dancers bring out the emotions through their moves," Kapila
explained.
He said that the project was inspired after he had to undergo an
uncomfortable experience of trying to survive a few days without water.
"That incident decided my next project for me. I did a lot of
research based on the topic. Our ventures took us to different parts of
the island including Anuradhapura. We spoke to people who are dwelling
near Tissa Wewa.
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Kapila
Palihawadane showing movements of the water.
Picture by Lalith C Gamage |
They said that this is the first time that the tank had nearly gone
dry. We saw many areas on the ground that were cracked due to the lack
of water," he said.
Before the dance performance, the group will be holding a two-day
awareness programme. Traditional dancers and school children will take
part in this event.
"We hope to stage a part of Swan Lake at the awareness workshop.
Children will portray beings like fish and mermaids as well as become
familiar with water rituals. We also hope to bring veddas into this
programme. There will be a lot of variety. A Japanese Professor once
mentioned that H2O means love plus twice the gratitude. He explains how
you should cherish water and how unbearable life will be without water.
I added these things to the choreography. We do not add rigorous
movements to the performance. You are free to imagine and interpret your
own version" Kapila noted.
Ever since he started on his 'water project' Kapila and his team have
been very sensitive to water. They had collected more than 100 plastic
bottles that were scattered around Tissa Wewa. Once the villagers saw
them at work, they too began to feel a responsibility towards preserving
water.
"I believe that awareness can be cultivated through actions, projects
or speeches. You can make a vast difference through a simple action.
This is what 'Ripples' aims at. Our message is very simple as well as
strong," he said.
Kapila hopes to stage 'Ripples' at the Open Air theatre at Vinaramaha
Devi park from March 22 to 24. The project targets 10 000 to 12 000
people. Malith Upendra, Dakshika Bandara, Hasani Wijebandara, Harsha
Kumara, Kalani Sachitthra, Lasanthi Dilhani, Thanuja Damithendri,
Sandanam Lasantha Niroshan and Aravindh Prasanth will take part in
'Ripples'. Kapila invites all those who are interested to take part in
the project to visit the Goethe Institut (German Cultural Centre) on
Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.
"nATANDA is constantly on the look out for new faces to join them in
their projects. We also invite other sectors who are interested in the
project to join hands with us in this worthy cause. We are grateful to
the Goethe Institut for lending us support to make the project a
success," Kapila concluded.
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