Anupama Ramachandran working on her canvas two eyes one story . | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Three six by five feet canvases are being filled with colours and shapes in a makeshift studio in Thiruvananthapuram. The three paintings deal with the life of Yashodhara, wife of Prince Siddhartha, after he abandoned her and their infant son in pursuit of knowledge.
Artists and curators Anupama Ramachandran, Evelyn D’Souza and Simi Ismail are part of the creative team that is bringing Yashodhara’s story to stage.
Madhushree Narayan, Devanand SP, Aditya SP and Sandhya Shyama during rehearsals. Two eyes, one story.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“The music, the songs, the story and the art are there to tell Yashodhara’s story,” says Lata Kurien Rajeev, the show’s creative director.
Yashodhara has inspired poets and writers. After he became a Buddha, Yashodhara remained a single mother and raised her son Rahula. Hindi poet Maithili Sharan Gupt’s famous poem on Yashodhara is a sensitive portrayal on her life.
Yashodhara remains an inspiration to many creative people. A few years ago, Sandhya Shyama, the HR head of a multinational company in Technopark, narrated Yashodhara’s story at a Toastmasters event.
Sandhya says she always got emotional thinking about the young princess and wrote it down immediately. “It was exactly what I felt about Yashodhara’s life and emotions.”
About a year ago, she had the opportunity to see a programme in Bengaluru that brought together music, storytelling and art. “It was so entertaining to watch and I wanted to do something similar in Thiruvananthapuram.”
He approached Anupama and discussed the idea of presenting his article on Yashodhara in a different format.
Evelyn D’Souza creates paintings for display Naina a story.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Excited by the idea, Anupama roped in Lata as the creative director. Lata envisioned a choir, two eyes one storyIn which various forms of art were mixed to make the performance lively.
Lata Kurien Rajeev | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“So, there is story-telling by Sandhya, art by the actors and lyrics and music by three talented composers – Madhusree Narayan, Dev and Aditya. I have chosen a song in Malayalam, Hindi and Sindhi, which will depict Yashodhara’s antics while Sandhya reads the story,” explains Lata.
Award-winning playback singer Madhushree said the selected songs include evergreen numbers from films which will be sung by three composers, including Dev Anand SP on guitar and Aditya SP on keyboard.
“Even the title of the song is based on that popular song ‘Do Naina Ek Kahani’ (from the Hindi movie) Innocentsays Madhushree while humming this melodious song.
For the performance, Sandhya read several research papers online and spoke to a friend who is writing a book on Yashodhara.
Sandhya adds, “I did not stop at her life. I went on to show how her life resonates with the lives of women today.”
Meanwhile, the three artists are working hard on their paintings. Anupama explains that they may not get time to complete the paintings during the two-hour show. “So, during the singing, we will finalise the work. After the show is over, we will auction all three paintings online and donate the money to Pallium India,” says Anupama.
The proceeds from the show will also be donated to Pallium India.
two eyes one story It will premiere on August 16 at 5 pm at Ganesham Nataka Kalari in Thycaud. A ticket costs ₹1,000. Contact: 8848585740
