Liquid Gems

A Film and Dance by Artemis PreeshlKalakshetra Foundation

19 February 2011

Visual Literacy in 2- and 3-Dimensional Performative Presentation

• Fulbright and the United State India Educational Foundation funded the Visual Literacy proposal.

• Researched visual literacy in performance, film and new media.

• Investigated the relationship between 2-D presentations on screen and 3-D performances of traditional Hindu and contemporary archetypes on stage, in film and in digital media.

• Interpreted images as communication in a cultural context.

Research

• The Ramayana– Sita’s kidnapping and captivity by Ravana– Ram’s rescue of Sita

• The Mahabharata– Swyamvar where Arjuna wins Draupadi’s hand

• Karna is not permitted to participate in the Swyamvar because he is thought to be a charioteer’s, not Surya’s, son

– The final battle between Arjuna and Karna• Bhagavata– Radha’s love for Krishna is an ideal

Tanjore• During my research, I attend the 1,000 year anniversary of Tanjore. • I read an article in about Queen Lokamahadevi at the

Panchanadeeswarar temple at Thiruvaiyaru, 15 Km from Tanjore.– http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/25/stories/2010092554230400.htm

• I felt inspired the morning after the performance to go to the Panchanadeeswarar temple.

• I accidentally passed her palace and walked on to a smaller temple nearby. It was 7:40 a.m. A group of girls were performing the “Five Gems of Ram” at 8 a.m.

• When I stayed for the ceremony and observed the Abhishekam, the sacred ritual bathing of the deity for the first time, the event changed the course of the project in both dance and film.

Abhishekam

• The Abhishekam became a metaphor that inspired the entire film and dance.

• Liquids inspire transitions from scene to scene: rosewater, gingelly, turmeric, tender coconut, Kauvery river water, honey, milk, curd, fruit, and sandal paste.

• The couples are blessed and purified for marriage through the ritual.

Pancharatna Kriti:The Five Gems of Ram

• At Panchanadeeswarar, the Pancharatna Kriti was sung by a girls’ chorus.

• In Sanskrit, pancha is five, ratna is gem and kriti is songs.• Five, Carnatic songs composed by Tyagarajathe in praise of

Rama from the 19th century.– The 19th century. Four songs are in Telegu and one song is in Sanskrit. – Set in Adi Tala and Ragam Tanam Pallavi– Charanas (stanzas) substitute for the kalpana swaras (improvisatory passages)

in the pallavi (beginning) section.• The Pancharatna Kritis are:

1. Jagadananda Karaka - Ragam Naata2. Dudukugala - Ragam Goula3. Sadhinchane - Ragam Aarabhi4. Kanakana Ruchira - Ragam Varaali5. Endaro Mahanubhavulu - Sri Ragam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancharatna_Kriti

Five Precious Gems

• Women are precious without dowries.– Diamond: Sangeetha/Sita– Pearl: Vinodha/Radha– Ruby: Aishwarya/Draupadi– Blue Sapphire: Visanthi/Kunti • The deceased mother of Arjun and Ravi (a.k.a. Karna)

– Emerald: Durga

Casting Process• Writing character descriptions• Theater Y read a draft of the script. • Dr. Gopalan Ravindran, Head of Journalism and

Mass Communications arranged for his students to read multiple drafts of the script.

• Reading Madras University Journalism and Communications students in the different roles inspired casting for the film.

• Director Leela Samson handpicked the Kalakshetra dancers for the Liquid Gems project.

Why Kollywood?• Qualifications:

– 30 years experience as a choreographer– 3 years study at the School for Film and TV in New York– I teach Acting for the Camera and jazz dance at Loyola University New Orleans– I am a union TV, Radio and stage actress

• Director of Photography Keith Grushalla has worked in the Tamil film in Chennai. I met Keith through a mutual friend in New Orleans. He recommended Chennai as a great place to work and live.

• Keith Grushalla is the Director of Photography for the Kate Chopin project. We shot a trailer for the upcoming film on Kate Chopin’s short stories set in the late 19th century in Louisiana.

• As a founding member of the production company, “The Respectable Women” with filmmaker Rachel Grissom and Kate Chopin biographer Dr. Barbara Ewell . We are making a feature-length film on the short stories of a Louisiana writer, Kate Chopin.

Pancha Ratna• The Tamil film, Pancha Ratna, is set in the village of Nembur.

– courtesy of Vidya Singh, cinematographer Viraj Singh and Mrs. Radha Gajapathi Raju.

• Special Thanks to:– Kalakshetra Foundation Director Leela Samson– United State India Educational Foundation – Production Control and Associate Director, Soundar Bairavi– Video Editor Senthil Kumar of Master Frames– Arunagiri, Musical Director for the film, and – Dance music and song composer Dr. Achyuthraman.

The film is dedicated to the memory of my Mother, Marcy Westergren

1932-2011.

• I give you my seven precious gems.

Liquid Gems Dance• Abhishekam:

– The women pour libations on the Goddess Durga.• The River Kauvery

– Inspired by the Madras mathematician Srīnivāsa Rāmānujam, the river purifies the new beloveds.

• Beyond Jealousy– Durga’s advises the lovers Krishna and Vinodha

• Love at First Sight– Raghu rescues Sita from selling coconuts.

• Aishwarya’s Dream– Durga creates love through the power of Aishwarya’s imagination.

• Love is in the Air– Lovers come together in union.

• Celebration– Purified, the lovers take their places in society.

Dance Credits

Cast• Madhvi Venkatesh as Aishwarya• Kailash Nathan as Arjun• Rajesh Chenthy as Raghu• Jay Kumaren Iyasamy as Krishna• Nitya Seshadri as Vinodha• Reshmi Nair as Sangeetha• Monisha Chakravarthy as Durga

Dance Crew Credits

• Costumes designed by Jay Kumaren Iyasamy and constructed by Alex of Ranjana Costumes

• Lights designed by Venketesh• Music composed by Dr. Achyuthraman• Sound operated by Deepu• Thanks to Leela Samson, Jayachandran, my

Faculty Host, and Theater Manager Jyothi Menon for making the performance possible.