Sacred or Profane?

Sacred or Profane?

The subject matter is intensely provocative. As a dancer, Swaroopa has an unhurried graceful style; her movements are expressive, fluid, clean and clear – Emily Napolitano, www.theatreview.org.nz

Sringaram means love or erotic love. Bharatanatyam is often praised for its technical virtuosity and expressions that emphasise more on the devotion aspect of the characters. But there were dances that explored the different emotions of love. Padams and Javalis danced by the devadasis – the dancing women of India, were mostly on love, longing, desire and eroticism. It reflected their lives as courtesan dancers. Sringaram, a solo dance theatre presented by Swaroopa Unni will portray an excerpt from one of their lives, the life of a devadasi dancer, Nayika. This project is proudly supported by Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Devadasis were women who were dedicated to the temple by marrying the deity. They were well versed in dance, music, literature, languages, crafts and the art of love. A matrilineal community, they enjoyed all the wealth and fame their art form brought into their homes and they were supported by patrons. Apart from the traditional repertoire praising the gods and the goddesses of Hindu pantheon, they also danced to songs of love and longing. This genre, Padams and Javalis, were songs and dances choreographed in such a way that the dance explored the intense emotions that love brought to their lives.

During the wake of India’s independence, these communities were shunned from the society and they were not allowed to dance in public. Their dance form, sadir was revived as Bharatanatyam and the new version concentrated more on the bhakti (devotion) aspect of the dance form. So naturally, Javalis and Padams with erotic element were avoided from the repertoire. But now, all these dance and music genres are being rediscovered and researched on, thanks to dance scholars.

Sringaram is a concept that Swaroopa has been researching for more than a year. The subject intrigued her because throughout her training period as a Bharatanatyam dancer she was not taught any of these masterpieces owing to its explicit content. Growing up in a world where we have different guidelines on moral conduct for women, the ideas that these lyrics put forth were something that made her question – Was it sacred? Or was it profane?

Additional music for Sringaram has been composed by Sandeep Pillai, a well-known musician from India. Sringaram will also showcase a special composition that uses English words in the lyrics clearly showing the influence of English educated patrons. Sringaram premiered at The Body Festival 2015 to rave reviews and is waiting to be presented in Wellington. Sringaram will be performed at Whitireia Performance Arts Centre, Wellington on February 13th and 14th 8.30pm -9.30 pm. Tickets $20/$15 available at www.fringe.co.nz and door sales. Audience 15+

ENDS

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