Bound to be free

Waldmann is one of the renowned experimental choreographers in Germany. Choreographing for two decades,she has set her style apart by infusing her training in theatre with her love for dance. “I can’t classify my own genre. My style is an amalgamation of various dance forms I have learnt while travelling across the world,” says the 48-year-old.

Burka Bondage,too,is a result of this nomadic life she has lived. “I was in Osaka and Tokyo in 2009 when I met many from the theatre circle who shared their views on the bondage ritual.” Similarly,while delivering lectures on her works in Kabul,Waldmann stumbled upon their theatre culture which touched her heart. “The views of the local people inspired the Burka Bondage concept,” she adds.

Draped in white and attached to a huge kite,the two aerial dancers gracefully raise plenty of questions on freedom,pain and womanhood. The piece is heavy on symbolism — the kite represents the Kabul skyline and inter-dependance,the drapes represent the shackles the women are caught in,a man wearing a mask representing withdrawal.

“The Western interpretation of the burka and bondage is very narrow as they are seen as prison. But I think that under a burka,a woman can withdraw herself from the society and step away. She can get a sense of freedom even under a burka and in bondage,” she explains. Along with the two dancers,Waldmann has also merged live music by Iranian musician Mohammad Mortazavi and video animation artiste Acci Baba.

Waldmann is thrilled by the response she received in Bangalore and says,“My dance is very plain yet full of emotions. It does not have the colours that the Indian dances have. The dancers use no make-up and it’s dance in its purest form.”

After performing at NCPA on December 16,Waldmann takes her show to Delhi on December 19. “While I was studying applied theatre,I learnt how to change theatre. It’s about going forward,not backwards and that’s what I am attempting,” Waldmann smiles.