SOUTH INDIA ARTIST INTENSIVE CLASSES:

KATHAKALI:

Kathakali, deriving from the words "katha" (meaning story) and "kali" (meaning play), is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama. This classical Keralan art form employs make-up, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures, and well-defined body movements that are accompanied by music and percussion to present the stories of the greatest Hindu epics. A Kathakali actor uses immense concentration, skill and physical stamina, gained from regimented training based on Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala, to prepare for this demanding art form. Actors never speak, enacting their story purely through the movement of the hands (mudras), facial expressions (rasas), and bodily movements.

MOHINIATTAM:

Mohiniattam is a traditional South Indian dance form from Kerala, India. This elegant dance is most often meant to be performed as a solo recital by women. The term Mohiniattam comes from the words "mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word "Mohiniattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress."

KALARIPAYATTU:

Kalaripayattu is a martial art with origins in Kerala and practised in that south Indian state and contiguous parts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, choreographed martial art sequences, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques.

CONTEMPORARY FUSION - THEORIES IN MUSIC:

Led by New York-based artist Ellen Reid (Patravadi Artist in Residence 2005-2007), this class will challenge and question the notions and theories behind the sounds and music that surround us, how they affect us emotionally and spiritually. The conversation then digests all of this within the background of India, both ancient and modern, as relevant to the East, the West, performance and theatricality.

CULTURAL CONTEXT:

This class will provide and facilitate a deep cultural and historical context of South India and Bangalore. This class will focus on the Kannad language (the dominant language of Bangalore and the state of Karnataka), customs and traditions, allowing all participants to engage with our host country in a way that is open and fearless. The class will also consist of continuous outings and trips to further this context.

CARNATIC MUSIC:

Stemming from the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, Carnatic music is one of two main sub-genres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gäyaki (singing) style.

YOGA & MEDITATION:

Every workday starts with a rigorous session of Yoga, preparing the body, mind, and spirit.

THEATER MITU'S WHOLE THEATER WORKSHOP:

How does an artist prepare to create work that is rigorously visual, aural, emotional, intellectual and spiritual? This is the core mission of THEATER MITU's WHOLE THEATER training. Led by Theater Mitu Artistic Director, Rubén Polendo along with other company members, this advanced class weaves elements from the classical theater and ritual traditions of Japan, India, Bali, Iran, China, and Mexico into a method of theatrical exploration designed to push western artists in new and unexpected directions. This class further deepens the conversation of culture and performance by engaging the artist in a world conversation while reconciling the relationship between east and west. Focusing on intense physicality, full-bodied vocalization, live music, and powerful tools for connecting theatrical creation and ritual, this class seeks to engage artist in the discipline and rigor of creating theatrically impactful work by exploring THEATER MITU's rigorous training methodology known as the MAJOR STEPS of WHOLE THEATER.

THEATER MITU'S PHYSICAL THEATER CREATION WORKSHOP:

Led by Rubén Polendo and fellow company members, this class will further the conversation of Whole Theater by dissecting it within the perspective of Western Dance, Dancetheater and choreography. Taking the idea of WHOLE THEATER from the theoretical to the practical and focusing on useful tools for creation, performance and aesthetics.

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