Aditi Mangaldas explores the human body through Inter_rupted

Inter_rupted explores the human body, its fragility, disintegration, resilience, vulnerability, inevitability and renewal. Photo courtesy: Foteini Christofilopoulou
Inter_rupted explores the human body, its fragility, disintegration, resilience, vulnerability, inevitability and renewal. Photo courtesy: Foteini Christofilopoulou

A three-time performer at Kalaa Utsavam, veteran kathak dancer Aditi Mangaldas returns for a fourth time for the festival with her composition Inter_rupted, being performed for the first time in Singapore. An exploration of the human body, its fragility, disintegration, resilience, vulnerability, inevitability and renewal, Inter_rupted asks the audience to celebrate the body and its existence, the way it lives and breathes as something that is transient, flowing, and yet interrupted.

“This piece wasn't easy to make, as I had to face the very ‘moment’ that the work talks about. In this piece that is all I have done – tried to not capture anything… just to face it, if possible,” says Aditi.

Aditi Mangaldas will be performing for the fourth time at Kalaa Utsavam. Photo courtesy: Foteini Christofilopoulou
Aditi Mangaldas will be performing for the fourth time at Kalaa Utsavam. Photo courtesy: Foteini Christofilopoulou

A leading dancer and choreographer of kathak, Mangaldas was trained under gurus Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Known for consistently breaking new ground, she brings her signature blend of the classical kathak tradition, contemporary dance elements and theatre design into Inter_rupted as well. 

Aditi Mangaldas was trained under gurus Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Photo courtesy: Dinesh Khanna
Aditi Mangaldas was trained under gurus Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Photo courtesy: Dinesh Khanna

In a unique move, the choreography will feature musicians as part of the set — diverging from the classical Indian dance tradition of placing the seated ensemble at the side of the stage. 

Inter_rupted invites the audience to investigate the body and its existence through its unique and groundbreaking composition. 

Inter_rupted invites the audience to investigate the body and its existence. Photo courtesy: Nirvair Singh
Inter_rupted invites the audience to investigate the body and its existence. Photo courtesy: Nirvair Singh

Click on the link to buy tickets.

Where: Esplanade Theatre​
When: 16 November 2019 at 8.00 pm
Entry: SGD 40