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Kathakali-Flamenco fusion in Delhi

Amid increasing concerns about mistreatment of women in societies across the world, Delhi witnessed a ballet blending Kathakali with another classical performing art from Spain. The performance used an episode from the Indian epic, Mahabharata to convey the message.

The hour-long show that pooled in the techniques and aesthetics of the traditional Kerala dance-drama and Flamenco was titled ‘The Killing of Dussasana’. The production was staged at Kerala House bringing together the ideas of a Madrid-based director and his team comprising a compatriot ballerina along with half-a-dozen Kathakali artistes.

Hosted by Kerala Tourism as part of the southern state’s formation day celebrations that began from November 1, the collaborative work had renowned Spanish danseuse Ms. Bettina Castaño in the role of Draupadi.

Mr. Bijulal N., Mr. Narayana Pillai, Mr. Biju Kumar and Mr. Gopalan Nair are the Kathakali artistes from Kerala. Accompanying them was Mr. Sumesh Gopalan on the chenda and Mr. Rajeev Nalinakshan on the maddalam besides Mr. Juan Gotan and Mr. Jesus Garrido on the guitar. Indian pop-star Ms. Suneeta Rao and singer Mr. Radakrishnan Nanu lent their voice.

The director Mr. Cesar Lorente Raton, who has shared nearly a decade-long relation with India, has been artistically cooperating with Kerala Tourism from 2004.

“Love, hate, anger are all universal feelings. The Mahabharata has many such stories,” he notes. “I took one episode that I had seen being performed in Kathakali-and used it to express my concern about horrific crimes and abuse against women in all parts of the planet.”

A fellow theatre personality back in Spain suggested Mr. Cesar to give Kathakali a contemporary twist. “I worked on the idea for almost a year before Kathakali met Flamenco on stage,” he adds.