ABHINAVAM School of Theatre Expressions
A Centre for Research and Training in Kathakali, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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SAATVIKAM
A Centre for Indian Performing Arts, Madurai.
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International Kathakali
Workshop - 2009 Discover India… (Re) discover your artistic self… through Indian theatre. Yoga, Kalari, Kathakali, Kuthu and Yakshagana… these are not just terms in an art encyclopedia. But are the practical forms of high level understanding of our life and existence. They are fitness, martial arts and theatre forms you have always wanted to learn but did not know where to pursue them. At the Kathakali Workshop you can meet practitioners of traditional theatre forms of Kerala in south India namely Kathakali, Koodiyattom (Sanskrit theatre form of Kerala) and a contemporary Malayalam performance, and learn the nuances of movement, gestures, and facial expressions peculiar to these forms. Ardent students of these forms also include Western theatre artists like Grotowski, Eugenio Barba, Ariane Mnouchkine and Phillip Zarrilli. The specially designed Kathakali Workshop is an opportunity for you to experience and learn by doing. At this hands-on workshop, you can learn yoga taught by the yoga masters of the Sivananda International School, Thiruvananthapuram, and make it a part of your holistic fitness schedule, or learn kalari, the martial art form, and use it in theatre or as part of your fitness regime. |
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Kathakali
training Top At the workshop you will be getting introduced to Kathakali, the theatre form of Kerala. It requires a long time for a person to master this art form. During this workshop, we try only to give the taste of the greatness of the methods of this traditional art form, through which the student will be able to get the experience of an age-old tradition of theatre. Discovering your own body and mind, observing your inner streams of energy, feeling the centre of gravity, etc. are some of the methods by which the student will be able to manage his/her own body/mind for effective use in theatre. The traditional breathing exercises which support the acting process will also be introduced in the workshop. |
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· Lectures on the history of Kathakali
· Physical training
· Breathing exercises
· Training in facial expressions
· Eye exercises
· Training in hand gesture language
· Foot exercises
· Training in dance
· Training in stylized acting
· Lectures on different aspects of Indian aesthetic theories
· Introductory classes on other art forms of India
· Talks on Yoga and Spirituality as a foundation for understanding the basic concepts in all Indian art forms
During the workshop, the student will be able to create
his/her own performance worked out through the age-old methods of Kathakali.
The concepts of Yoga form the basis for all Indian theatre
activities. So the student will be able to get a chance to learn some
of the Yoga exercises.
All art forms of Kerala have taken its shape out of
the movement patterns and training methods of martial art form of Kerala,
namely Kalari. You have a chance to get an experience of Kalari training
during this workshop.
Many theatre students like to use their theatre experience
to help disabled people. We also consider that theatre for helping disabled
people is an important subject to be considered and discussed during this
workshop. You will be able to work in the areas of theatre for development,
theatre for self-development, and theatre for mental health.
Cultural
Context and Setting topThe International Workshops take place in Thiruvananthapuram, an ancient city of south India, replete with myths and legends. If you are interested in back waters, Ayurvedic massage and religion of India, Thiruvananthapuram will tantalize you. Well connected by air/train, you can fly to Thiruvananthapuram from any international destination. The camp is held at Maria Rani Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Visit www.kerala.com for more information about Thiruvananthapuram.
Mr.
Etumanoor Kannan top
A Kathakali artist and trainer from a traditional Kathakali
school and currently teaching and researching at Kerala University. He
has performed Kathakali for Western audiences and has the experience of
teaching Kathakali to western students. Log on to his website: www.kannankathakali.com
Playwright/Director and academic teaching theatre studies
at Madurai Kamaraj University. Specializes in actor training fusing east
and west and uses theatre for developmental activities, applied drama
for mental health and in prisons. Log on to his website: www.velvi.org
Mr.
Murugan top A yoga master trained by Shivananda Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram
and works with Abhinaya Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram. He has been training
theatre artists in Yoga and has taught western students.
Gobi
Aasan top A kalari performer and teacher of repute, has worked
with many theatre groups in India.
The participants will be housed at the guest rooms of
Maria Rani Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Each room has two beds, a shower
and a Western Closet.
You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp. They mainly follow
Kerala style menu. Both vegetarian and non vegetarian food are available.
Workshop
Fee topThe workshop fee is 500 Euros which includes your accommodation at Maria Rani Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Important
Dates topArrival: 31 July 2007 / 16 December 2007
Departure: 16 August 2007 / 1 Januray 2008
We observe that some students, especially who are traveling to Asia for the first time, experience jet-lag and cultural shock. Such participants are requested to reach the workshop space at least two days before the starting date of the workshop. This will enable them to be in harmony with the new atmosphere.
Dates: 01 – 15 August 2007 / 17- 31 December 2007
For extra nights of stay, for each night a participant has to pay 10 Euros
A
Day at the workshop top08:00 – 09:00 am --Yoga classes
09:00 - 10:00 am --Breakfast
10:00 – 12:00 pm --Kathakali
12:00 – 12:30 pm --Tea break
12:30 – 01.30 pm-- Kalari / Theatre for Development
1.30-2.30 --Lunch
All afternoons you are free to explore Thiruvananthapuram and nearby places. On some evenings, we would take you to watch performances. Exact dates of performances would be given later. You will watch one or two full night traditional Katahakali performances.
Etumanoor P Kannan
Kathakali Performer & Researcher
International centre for Kerala Studies,
University of Kerala.
Email: kannan332002@yahoo.com
Application form and bank details will be provided on request.
Last date for application top
For August session : 15th July 2007
For December Session : 1st December 2007