The first thing that strikes you about Under The Aalamaram (or banyan tree) is the aptness of its name. Like its namesake, it has become a meeting point for exchanging tales and conversations from around the world, as performers use puppets, beloved stories, some dance and verse to introduce young audiences to global cultures.
The sixth edition of the international storytelling festival, organised by city-based Kathai Kalatta this Sunday, is now a full-fledged roadshow, and will travel to Coimbatore, Mumbai, Delhi and other cities, besides Chennai. Like every year, co-founders Jeeva Raghunath, Kanchana Manavalan and Kausalya Padmanabhan have put together a team of storytellers from across three continents, a task which Raghunath admits was perhaps the easiest. “We are one tribe. There is no competition or animosity, just a shared love for stories. We borrow each other’s stories (with due credit), share ours and just work to evolve as a wonderful community,” she says, adding that the event is for all ages — “from womb to tomb”.
Meet the players
While the stories are brought alive by narration, acting and sometimes props, the performers consciously stay away from digital additions. Take Bongiswa from South Africa, for instance, who, clad in her traditional attire with a beaded headgear, often begins her folktales with a native African chant. “Storytelling is a spiritual experience for me and chanting is a way of owning the space. I make my audiences familiar with the chant and I slip it into the story so they can sing along,” the festival debutante says.
Meanwhile, three-timer Craig Jenkins from the UK, a hit with regulars courtesy his interactive style — Raghunath calls him the “Kathai Kalatta boy” — will as usual present a retelling of not just popular western stories (think Grimm's Fairy tales , Aesop's Fables ) but also Indian classics like the Ramayana . “I don’t tamper with the storyline, but I do put my spin because that way it is familiar territory and yet completely new,” he elaborates, rolling Tamil words off his tongue with ease.
Mabel Lee from Singapore believes animal features resonate most with the younger audience. And like a healthy side of salad with a fun meal, she adds lessons of kindness, humility and wisdom. “I always end on a positive note and let the children know that age doesn’t matter when it comes to doing the right thing,” she says.
As for Raghunath, a seasoned author and raconteur known to many Chennai-bred children, the preferred genre for narration is always humour. With such a diverse lineup, she doesn’t believe in establishing a theme for the festival. “I don’t want to restrict the storytellers in any way,” she says.
The evening will also include the likes of Alice Bianchi, who blends puppeteering with songs, and noted Singaporean author and illustrator, Jumaini Ariff. Following a single showcase in Chennai, the festival will travel to Salem and Coimbatore next week, before taking off to Mumbai and Delhi in November with an entirely new lineup.
On September 1 at Egmore Museum theatre from 7 pm to 9 pm. Tickets at ₹200 on in.bookmyshow.com.
