Drama in Unreal Life

‘‘Both Kriemhild and Draupadi rebelled against the system. Kriemhild wanted to avenge the wrongful death of her husband and Draupadi her humiliation at the Kaurava’s court. And in their search for vengeance, both triggered endless bloodbaths,’’ adds Sen, pointing to the fact that women have no escape routes in epics such as these.

Bose floated the idea to Rita Stockhowe, a performer from Berlin who visited Kolkata and discussed the possibility of an Indo-German collaboration on these characters. The result — Images of Feminity by Bose and German director Sophia Stepf, which will premiere in Kolkata in October.

‘‘Both women, from royal families, are won in a game by their husbands. While Draupadi was won in a bow-and arrow competition, Kriemhild was won in a stone-throwing game. Both were humiliated and vowed revenge. And both lost their children in the battle,’’ says Bose.

Focusing mainly on improvisations, the 16-member dance troupe, with an equal number of Indians and Germans, will incorporate movements from Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Chhau and Odissi into modern dance. The body will be used not only as means of expression but also as screens for projection like typography and pictures.

The play is scheduled to travel to other cities in India as well as abroad, including the Asia Pacific Week in Berlin in September 2003. ‘‘There will be many novel and interesting features in the play which Kolkata has never seen before. It is futuristic,’’ says an excited Krishnendu Das, assistant director of the production.

The German artistes are also enthusiastic. Says dancer Bengt Kroner, ‘‘Both the characters are so fascinating. I feel really great working for this.”