Epic expression

Published on November 14, 2007

dance

The Komonlagoon Dance Troupe had spectators at Patravadi Theatre spellbound last weekend, as they skilfully enacted a conflict dating back thousands of years but still surprisingly relevant to the state of today's world.

"Mahabharata", the longest epic poem in world literature and considered the holy bible of Hinduism, is less well known to Thai audiences than the "Ramayana", which added to the freshness of the performance. The troupe chose to present the final part of the poem, the deadly struggle for the throne between the two collateral branches of the family - the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

The dance theatre was choreographed by Thongchai Hannarong, a ballet dancer who also trained in Ottamthullal, the Kerala school of performing arts often referred to as the "poor man's Kathakali, and a recipient of a performing arts award from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The opening scene featured an energetic Ottamthullal performance by the choreographer, which paid homage to Lord Ganesh, the goddess Saraswati and to his own teacher.

The story starts with Duryodhana, the oldest of the Kauravas, challenging the five Pandava brothers to backgammon. Carried away by the game, the Pandavas fall for Duryodhana's tricks, lose their kingdom and are exiled. The unfortunate Draupadi, wife of the five brothers, is tortured by the Kauravas until Kunti, their mother, allays the situation. Her elaborate dancing begging the gods for her sons' safety with melancholy music took the audience's breath away.

However, the epic suggests that all ill deeds go on being punished.

"Greed and violence can only lead human beings into destruction, and true victory comes from defeating the darkness inside you," is a well-known saying attributed to the late writer and former ex-Governor-General of India, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari.

The truth of this statement is reflected when Arjuna, the third Pandava brother, and Duryodhana go to Krishna for support. Krishna proposes that they choose between an immense number of armies and weapons, and himself. Arjuna chooses Krishna, allowing the greedy Duryodhana to have the armies. The war ends with triumph of the Pandavas, after Krishna reveals Bhagavad Gita, the guide to definitive action, to Arjuna, making him think before he acts.

The epic speaks for itself through a clever blending of Indian theatre arts and western classical ballet. Several movements are designed with symbolic qualities, for example, the pointing of the hand towards the front represents a desire for victory and vengeance which, at the end, gives nothing but destruction.

"Mahabharata" ends with the death of Krishna, the weakening of his dynasty, and the ascent of the five Pandavas to heaven. There, philosophical messages are revealed. Four women are lying        on the ground, twisting their bodies in pain from having failed to fulfil the human goals of artha (wealth), karma (action), dharma (duty and harmony) and moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Yet only moksha is the real desirable goal. To achieve it, one should detach oneself from worldly affairs, and, at the same time, guide others to light, never abandoning the society that once nourished the body and soul.

For this reporter as well as many other audience members, last weekend's performance was a perfect opportunity to become immersed in the artistic and cultural realms of Asian beauty at Patravadi Theatre. Along with the superb performance by the Komonlagoon Dance Troupe, we could feast our eyes on monochromic photographs by Swiss lensman Beat Presser and reflect on the peaceful lives of Buddhist monks and nuns in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Sri Lanka.

This Thursday and Friday Patrava-di Theatre hosts butoh dancer Ko Murobushi's solo act "Quick Silver"       On Saturday afternoon, Murobushi   himself will also conduct a masterclass on butoh dance.

Next week, Monochrome Circus present  "Monster" and "Kazahashi-Edge".

For more information, visit Patravaditheatre.com or call (02) 412 7287-8.

The writer can be contacted at lookkal@hotmail.com.

Montakarn Suvanatap

 Special to The Nation