The Gandhi Nritya

On August 17,Chandran will make an attempt to revisit Gandhi in her production Gandhi-Warp and Weft ,which is a part of the Gandhirama Festival organised by Indian Council of Philosophical Research,an organisation in Delhi. “I saw a host of performances based on Rabindranath Tagore last year,so I was clear that I was not going to follow the dance-drama format. I wanted a new vocabulary to express the philosophies of Gandhi,” says Chandran,who adds that she rejected many approaches before she settled on a mix of abstract and narrative style to be showcased by a woman of 21st century. “I want to clarify that I am not enacting Gandhi. My piece is a loosely-knit narrative that includes my personal take on the subject,” says Chandran

The performance comprises six concepts — the six ideologies of Gandhi that include religious unity,celibacy,Satyagraha,Ahimsa,caste and shram and khadi — that will merge into each other through choreography,costumes,music and lighting. Warp and weft are two kinds of threads used for weaving. “It is metaphorical. But it is an opportunity to engage in an intellectual discourse. Art can say much more than an actual speech on the same subject,” says Chandran.

While Satyagraha will showcase Gandhi’s mass civil disobedience movements and the famed Dandi March,the piece will use thread as a metaphor in the khadi section. “I am using a few props as symbols. While a gentle gesture of turning the plate can symbolise Satyagraha,the thread will become much more than a requirement for spinning khadi. For me,it symbolises dividing the nation,” says Chandran,who adds that the costumes will change and the audience will see a journey,from an ornate beginning to frugal means to finding independence.

The hour-long production is a solo performance as Chandran feels that she wants to express herself and not collaborate for a while. She is known to experiment with Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance very often but,in her upcoming works,Chandran wants to go back to her reference point and visit her classical roots.

The music will be created by Pratik Biswas,who will engage with diverse sound elements such as Carnatic and Hindustani classical and commentary. The production relies heavily on costumes that have been created by Sandhya Raman.

Gandhi — Warp and Weft will be staged at JNU auditorium on August 17. Entry is free