When Eric Languet visited India last year to conduct auditionsfor the production ‘Weight of Joy,’ he wondered, “Why do people stay alive? Those leading a tough life in poverty, the disabled or the women who have been raped... I thought why do they want to be alive. They are alive because joy is life. These bursts of life — be it individual or collective make one feel more alive.” He wanted to find source of these short bursts and the price one pays for it. “Sometimes one experiences a collective joy, like the crowd in a soccer match. When a goal is scored, the whole stadium bursts into a big roar; it is a joyous moment for all. Some individuals would not do things alone which they would if they were in a large group.”
He calls the production ‘Weight of Joy’ (staged on Friday) as a paradox. “Joy is usually associated with lightness.” He was initially approached to choreograph a piece for disabled people for the Bonjour India celebrations. “I was not interested in keeping disabled people in their ghetto. Integration is what I aim for. I wanted to create something with them, not for them,” he states.
Mixed group
The group involves eight dancers and non-dancers — four from India and four from his company, who are professional dancers. The other four include an art therapist, a guy from Kalaripayattu and yoga background and two deaf boys. “We had a two-week workshop with members among whom some are disabled.”
He explains the methodology. “I ask simple questions so that it is understood by all. Nobody is dim; We are meant to understand each other and one has to just make an effort.”
As a choreographer, he does not produce movements but gives tasks to members, especially the disabled to create movements, scenes or situations. He later adapts them to the topic he is working on. Recalling a question, he shares “I asked, ‘what is the simple expression of joy?’ One said ‘a bubble’ and another woman replied ‘jumping.’ We have incorporated that in a piece with skipping ropes. It is simple but so joyful.” He observes these performances are only the visible part, and not the biggest part, of his work. “The high for me is to work towards making the disabled integrate into the society.”
He is working with researchers at France to devise a teaching methodology. “It is to put right tools in the minds. The problem with disability is that one defines people by what one cannot do. With this approach, one is bound to feel that one cannot do anything. I ask the participants of my workshops to do what they want to do. There will be challenges but the aim is to find a way to make it happen.”
Before concluding, he shares he was not able to be part of any group since childhood. “The day I found my kind of work, I found a family. It is an intent to make others feel they are part of something. One of the basic needs is to get recognition from your peers and to be accepted for who you are and what you are.”
(The project created by Alliance Francaise Madras, was brought by French Institute in India / Embassy of France in India, with the support of Krishnakriti Foundation, Alliance Francaise of Hyderabad and Government of Telangana Tourism Department.)
