Only in its second year, Connections is already introducing its audience to new, emerging languages in performing arts. Brought to the country by Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, Rukmini Chatterjee, the festival this year is titled is “Where Cultures Dialogue”. The two performances lined up include Heaven and Earth , where dancers from the opera of Paris will come together with Bharatanatyam and tango dancers to “celebrate the universality of emotions”. The second performance puts together the reflections of a journey through dance and music between Europe and Argentina. Chatterjee shares her insights and ideas behind Connections with The Hindu .
A little about the idea behind Connections and its conception?
Connections is an annual international performing arts festival, connecting peoples, cultures and epochs through innovative collaborations
It aims to build bridges between India and different cultures, artists and worlds. The emphasis will be on a ‘new kind of creativity’, through innovative and fruitful exchanges around a common language, that of the Arts. Also presenting this to different audiences and connecting with them will be an important aspect of this festival. I do believe that in the fragmented world of today it is important to constantly express the underlying unity of all existence so as to avoid narrow, egoistical visions from destroying the rich fabric of our lives. Also approaching and understanding differences is essential to establishing a dynamic harmony, an essential element for our world of today.
My role is that of orchestrating the festival.
I was reading about your reluctance to use the word fusion. But could you talk a little about getting different art forms and disciplines to come together and create a new language of performance?
Yes I do not believe in fusion but in meetings.
I believe that one needs to be very well anchored in one’s own identity to be able to really open up to other influences.
Each art form, culture, world, philosophy, retains its original form and thought process in my choreographies. It is in the meeting with the other art form or culture that the opening or the transformation takes place. For me it is not about creating a new language of performance. It is more about bringing forth the essence of universality of traditions. If in the process a new form emerges so be it.
What do you hope Connections will share and present to its audience in terms of new, creative thought and entertainment?
In each of my creations I bring together very different art forms, artists, different cultures, philosophies, from all over the world, so as to establish dialogue and build bridges between these varied universes. A quest to understand life and human nature is the base for these meetings.
And a little about this instalment and its title?
The festival Connections will have Dialogue as its light motif: Dialogue on stage between cultures and dialogue with the audiences. The second edition of the festival Connections will present some of the best artists from all over the world. Dancers from the Opera of Paris will come together with Tango dancers and musicians from Argentina and Bharatanatyam to bring forth a common theme: that of Desire and Passion. It’s a dynamic harmony that I seek to convey to Delhi audiences.
Connections will be held from 8- 10 January, 2015 at the Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi.
