When: 15th - 22nd March, 2016
Where: Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur
Created in the early 90's, the Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) is a multi-arts center built with the purpose of preserving Rajasthani art, craft and culture. The Center has been made in eight blocks housing museums, an amphitheater and closed auditorium, library, arts display rooms, cafeteria, small hostel and art-studio. It also houses two permanent art galleries and three other galleries and hosts its own theater festival each year.
In the presence of the Chief Minister, Smt. Vasundhara Raje, the 8-day Performing Arts Festival, ‘Navras’ began at the Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK).
The high energy performance of ‘The Manganiyar Seduction’ which was also a theatrical presentation won the hearts of the Jaipurites. The performance witnessed ecstatic music-making, mixing Muslim and Hindu traditions. Conceived by the Indian director Roysten Abel, this spectacular 80–minute performance featured over 40 musicians in turbans and robes, who sat or kneeled in red-draped cubicles. These cubicles were stacked in four tiers and illuminated when their occupants performed, thus creating a dramatic and astounding build-up of musical instruments and voices of the Manganiyar community. It was held for the first time in Rajasthan.
Earlier, an ‘Architectural Walk’ was conducted by the architect and a heritage management consultant, Mr. Siddhant Shah. He guided visitors through the beautiful details of the cultural centre. This walk at JKK allowed visitors to explore why ‘JKK is in true sense a metaphor of Jaipur, Jai Singh II and Jawaharlal Nehru’.
This week long celebration of art shall present a rich and diverse bouquet of offerings of theater, contemporary dance, classical, Sufi and fusion music to the spectators. The week long event has been curated in a manner that it offers performances for every kind of taste, ranging from classical to contemporary fusion. Furthermore, there will be early morning performances as well as late evening performances —giving an option to the visitors for their convenient time to attend the event.
The Highlights of Navras, JKK:
Architectural Walk: Jawahar Kala Kendra is not just a building, but breathing art in all its forms. Designed and built by Charles Correa, the building stands as a contemporary architectural symbol of the Pink City and its rich heritage. What better way to start with ‘Navaras’ than by introducing the audience to the beauty and uniqueness of Jawahar Kala Kendra like never before. A specially curated walk that shall throw light on magnificent architectural design of JKK shall be the kickstarter on the 15th, to be repeated on the 20th and 21st March as well.
The Manganiyar Seduction: From the obscure villages of Western Rajasthan, comes a musical tradition that is a centuries-old amalgamation of melodies from everywhere between Persia and Punjab. The music of Manganiyars, the Muslim court musicians is said to heal souls. Conceived by Roysten Abel, this spectacular 80-minute theatrical presentation shall create magic in music. Join the crowd on 15th March to witness ‘The Manganiyar Seduction’ directed by Roysten Abel at 7pm at the Madhyavarti, JKK.
‘Sharira’ Dance Performance: Sharira is universally seen as one of the most impressive examples of the work of unique choreographer and women’s rights campaigner Chandralekha. Educated in the classical dance tradition, she quickly freed dance from its religious context and broke through the strict boundaries between different styles, yoga and the martial arts. Central to her work is the creative, sensual power of the female body. Sharira is about the profound and invisible female energies that can activate our outer and inner selves. You can experience the force yourself on 16th March, with live music by the Gundecha brothers in Rangayan at 7 pm on wards.
Dhruv Sangari & Rooh Sufi Ensemble: Dhruv Sangari (also known as Bilal Chishty) has been performing professionally since 2001 with his Sufi music troupe ‘Rooh’. His repertoire includes Persio- Arabic poetry, Punjabi-Hindvi Sufi poetry and Urdu Poetry from the works of famed poets and saints such as Hazrat Amir Khusrau, Sant Kabir, Baba Farid RA, Hzt. Shah Hussain, Baba Bulleshah, Meerabai and more. Immerse in the piety of sufi music on the 17th of March at 7 pm at the Madhyavarti, JKK.
MeiDhwani – Echoes of the Body: In an unraveling spiral Attakkalari’s new contemporary dance production, portrays individuals who are captives of circumstance and history. Derived from Tamil and Sanskrit (Mei meaning body and Dhwani meaning echo or suggestion) the title subtly alludes to ‘Echoes of the Body’. Capturing fragility and turmoil through movement, MeiDhwani creates magic! See it for yourself on 18th March, 7 pm, at the Madhyavati, JKK.
Morning Ragas at JKK: A new feature on the JKK calendar is the morning programme. Pandit Harish Tiwari will be performing the morning raga at the JKK lawns at 7:30 am on the 19th March. On 20th March, there will be a classical performance on Sitar by Pandit Kushal at 7.30 am at JKK Lawns aswell. Imaginative artists know how to carry a tradition along with them. With his mellifluous voice, Harish Tiwari is one of those who totally immerse himself in the enchantment of ‘Swara’.
Maati Baani: Maatibaani is a World Music band combining elements of Hindustani Classical with various styles of Folk music and New age sounds. No rules, no boundaries, they simply create the sound that we love to hear with different styles of music. Fusion lover? This is not-to-be-missed at 8.30 pm at Madhyavarti on March 19th.
The last days of the festival will be dedicated to theater with Mohit Takalkar’s Hindi-Urdu play ‘Main Hoon Yusuf Aur Yai Hai Mera Bhai’ being performed on 21st March at 7 pm at Rangayan. On 22nd March will be staged William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ in Manipuri language at 7 pm at Rangayan. On 20th March, visitors will get to witness ‘Nagamandala’ by Neelam Mansingh at Rangayan at 7 pm. Hindi play ‘Barrister Parvateesham’ by Shiva Prasad will be performed on Saturday, 19th March at 6.30 pm at Rangayan.
If you are an art/culture/music lover, you know where to head this week!
