Kiran Nadar Museum of Art forays into performing arts with theater festival

Expanding its repertoire of multi-disciplinary artistic expression, New Delhi-based Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) now makes its foray into performing arts with the launch of its inaugural theater festival. Based on the historical backdrop of the beautiful nursery in the heart of the capital, the curated festival focuses on the role of contemporary theater in addressing current social vulnerabilities including class, religion, place, gender and sexuality.

“The aim is to make art accessible. The theater festival is the next step in strengthening KNMA’s multidisciplinary programming, building on initiatives like the Legacy Series, Center Stage Festival and KNMA in the Park,” said Kiran Nadar.

Bengaluru-based actor, director and filmmaker Keerthan Kumar, who is the festival’s curator, wanted to curate a play that explored new material as well as encourage conversation about how people are making plays today. “This time the focus is on contemporary theater because I am interested to know what artists from the subcontinent are saying in contemporary theater – what theatrical forms and languages ​​they are exploring and what issues excite them. How they create, where the money is, what their inspiration is, what they want to express,” he said.

The curatorial vision of the festival focuses on the theme ‘The Power of Vulnerability’. Keerthana was writing a paper on post-colonialism and vulnerability in the context of the rehearsal room, so she thought it would be great to extend it to the theme of the festival. “Redefining vulnerability as a thing of beauty and creativity. “I wanted to invite people, plays, ideas and forms that don’t always get national attention,” she said.

Assumption(s): Between you and me A prepared solo performance by Savita Rani. Photo Credit: Courtesy: KNMA

The festival will begin with Bisu KamasalAn acrobatic folk form associated with men of the Halu Kuruba community of the Male Mahadeshwara Hills, near the Mysore regions of Chamarajanagar and Mandya. This will be followed nights Katakatha, a puppet tribute to the Syrian, Chinese and Indian versions, presented by the Puppet Arts Trust Arabian NightsAnother intense puppetry experience by the group, Enchanted WalkWelcomes viewers to a wonderland filled with insects. Furthermore, adapted from the Aranya Kanda of the Ramayana, Wali Vadha It tells the story of two vanara or forest dweller brothers, Vali and Sugriva.

Then, love and information Written by Mohit Takalkar, it reflects the rapid pace of channel-hopping or social media scrolling, touching on a range of topics such as memory loss, privacy erosion, alienation from the self and the decay of genuine emotion. portal is waiting Presented by Abhi Tambe, an intimate auditory-theater experience, a performance that is both storytelling and rock show. wepushthesky Nisha Abdullah has a solo performance that weaves together song, story, myth and history to talk about friendships lost, found and enduring. Assumption(s): Between you and me is a solo performance composed by Savita Rani based on a woman’s journey of name, anger and mowing through religion, region, caste, gender and ethnicity.

project darling By Dramanon based in Bengaluru. Photo Credit: Courtesy: KNMA

Through imagination, song, dance and dialogue, talkie via bengaluru Brings together transwomen from different walks of life, including activists, writers, mothers and community leaders. They are all over 55 years of age and have experienced the human struggle for romance, survival and respect. Combining the theatrics of clowning, song, dance and puppetry as well as documentary footage, photos and sound scenarios, project darling Highlights female sexuality within the realm of censorship and culture. woven from personal experiences, before your eyes It is a collective expression of bodies that have endured racial and sexual violence, co-crafted by members of Frida and Mara. runaway girls Aagaaz Repertory retells daily life in Nizamuddin Basti in Delhi. Dear is an anthropological exploration of queer love through theatre, music, poetry and movement.

In organizing this festival, Kirtana also had an eye on the future. “How can we create a solid template that will be possible to replicate in the future with other disciplines and other curators? How do we engage the community and connect the dots between the theme and both the audience and the artists? The essence of contemporaneity lies in democratic practice that includes creative ideas such as co-authorship and the value of lived experience,” he said.

As well as the performances, the festival also includes a workshop, a lecture demonstration and a symposium, promoting discussion between performance theorists, students and practitioners. In fact, one of the festival sessions is a workshop on transcultural curation.

KNMA Theater Festival will be held from 14th to 20th October at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.