| Maker | Kalpanarts |
| Duration | 60 min |
| Part of | Language no problem |
| Program lines |
HomegrownCreators from The Hague, because we like to showcase the creative talent the Hofstad has to offer.
So(ul)cietySocietal issues are addressed in this work, however complicated they may be.
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“For all that is born, death is certain, and for the dead birth is certain. Therefore, do not mourn the inevitable.”– Bhagavad Gita. (Hindu Scripture)
The way in which man deals with death says much about how one lives. How one faces the inevitable end differs in different cultures, countries, and generations.
In True Life, Kalpanarts explores the relation to life and death. Hindu verses, the god Shiva, and Indian philosophy are taken as inspiration. Rituals surrounding death and the dead will also pass in revue, such as cremation rituals on the River Ganges, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) in Mexico and the New Orleans jazz funerals. Personal experiences and convictions of the performers with their different cultural backgrounds are added to the fabric of the performance. In addition to six dancers, the talented singer-songwriter Shishani Vranckx will also be on stage.
Before the performance, programme maker, theatre producer and politician Narsingh Balwantsingh will talk at 19.45 about how important rituals are. Balwantsingh championed the first official ash scattering site in Rotterdam where Hindus can conclude death rituals in a dignified manner and take the ashes of a deceased loved one to the river. Led by Vincent Wijlhuizen, the talk will focus on the importance of traditions living on.
Dance on Mute
This performance is part of 'Dance on Mute'; an initiative by Kalpanarts to make performances more accessible to people with hearing disabilities.
Tip
On October 4 Kalpana Raghuraman will host an open class Modern Indian Dance. Would you like to visit the performance and attend the class? Simply book your tickets by choosing 'Tickets' at the top of the page.
In True Life, Kalpanarts explores the relationship to life and death. Hindu verses, the god Shiva and Indian philosophy are sources of inspiration. Rituals surrounding death and the dead will also be featured, such as cremation rituals on the sacred Ganges River, the Day of the Dead in Mexico (Dia de los Muertos) and the Orleans Jazz Funerals. The performance incorporates the personal experiences and beliefs of the performers with their diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition to six dancers, the talented singer-songwriter Shishani Vranckx will be on stage.
Kalpanarts is the dance company led by Kalpana Raghuraman (artistic director and choreographer) and Gysèle ter Berg (general manager & artistic associate). Appealing social themes are taken as a basis. Kalpanarts is a contemporary dance company with a colourful cast and support group. By bringing together Indian dance forms with urban and contemporary dance, Kalpanarts creates a dance language that transcends genre. Like a heart beat, a strong rhythmic element is always present in their work. The use of footwork, hand gestures, and facial expressions is characteristic.
Shishani is a Belgian-Namibian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and musicologist. She makes songs that are socially committed. Shishani fights for equal rights including rights for queer and trans persons. In 2015 she established the quartet The Namibian Tales. With this group she brings an ode to traditional Namibian music. In 2019 she established the all-female band Miss Catharsis, featuring women of colour. Shishani was nominated for the Amsterdam Prize for the Arts in the category Encouragement Prize.
For those who are unfamiliar with Indian Dance and wish to learn more about it, Korzo, Kalpanarts, and India Dance Festival created a series of animations that will guide you through the different aspects of Indian Dance.
Episode 1:
Tip
On October 4 Kalpana Raghuraman will host an open class Modern Indian Dance. Would you like to visit the performance and attend the class? Simply book your tickets by choosing 'Tickets' at the top of the page.
| Choreography | Kalpana Raghuraman |
| Concept | Kalpana Raghuraman & Gysèle ter Berg |
| Business Direction & Artistic Associate | Gysèle ter Berg |
| Dance | Mitch Essers, Laila Gozzi, Kya Su, Indu Panday, Sooraj Subramaniam, Goda Žukauskaitė |
| Live Music | Shishani Vranckx (vocals & guitar) |
| Music Composition | Simone Giacomini |
| Costume Design | Aziz Bekkaoui |
| Lightning Design & Scenography | Jeffrey Steenbergen |
| Dramaturge | Vincent Wijlhuizen |
Korzo Zaal