25 October, 2012

INDIA GATE; 5:30pm
Performers: Pali, Amu, Rudy, Mallika, Kriti, Niranjani, Bopana, Shena
Observers: Laurent, Aditi
Documenter (Photos & Video): Niranjani
Audience No.: 40 - 100
FREEZES, 'COPY CAT', a 'SLOW MO' RACE - and a 'GIANT THEATRE WORKSHOP'!

We began in a park near India Gate, in an open space where there were not too many people. A crowd of over a hundred people gathered fairly quickly, as we did sets of freezes like those we had done in Sarojini Nagar (coming together freeze; breaking apart freeze, in couples - taking different partners each time). We kept it contained - only expanding and getting more dramatic towards the last few freezes, when the crowd was at its peak.

We started on an empty-ish, grassless patch, very close to the Gate itself. We started with no audience

 The audience was appreciative and mindful. They collected in such a manner as to allow us space and room to perform. A smattering of spontaneous applause was our indication to stop, and to bow! We dispersed, and then stayed in the space - moving into the crowd. People were not only curious about what we had done, but wanted to understand and to learn. There was a group of school girls from Kaithal in rural Haryana, on a school trip with their teacher, all in uniform and with ribbons in their hair. As we moved into their group, we found that we were able best to explain what we were doing by demonstrating with a small Mirror Exercise and then inviting them to try it for themselves. Which some of them did. The teacher kept repeating "See, THIS is true learning! See, THIS is what you must realise is an opportunity for true learning. See, THIS is what all can happen when you move out for a 'yatra.'"

Rudy & Bopana

The space developed into a spontaneous giant Workshop of sorts - with various people coming forward to try things, and with performers blending with the crowd as they demonstrated different exercises, explained what they were doing, and helping people experience through action. Besides simple mirror exercises, we also did a 'Push and Pull' through energy contact demonstration - which elicited questions of "hypnosis hai kya?"and  prompted one young man to attempt it as well, shy and tentative - but brave and inspired.

We then moved into the space directly around the monument. Our plan was to attempt a lateral, dynamic mirror 'walk'. Luckily, plans change. We quickly adapted our 'follow the unknown leader' idea into following what people around us were doing. It became a joyous 'Copy Cat' extravaganza. 'Joyous' because of the whole-hearted, good-natured willing participation of the various people we chose to interact with.

Some of our audience was very curious as to how Rudy and Bops were responding to each other... without any physical contact... how did they know when and how to move? So one of them decided to try it out.

Beginning with a sassy bracelet seller who, once she realised that we were copycatting her, beckoned us to follow her and made us realise that people would easily understand the intent with which we were playing and would not be intimidated or upset (which was a concern/assumption some of us had). This opened up the playing field as it were, and we moved from vendor to vendor and then to general members of the crowd - each time with the humbling and wondrous experience of watching the person we went up to assimilate and then give back to us with generosity and genuine playfulness. A gentleman eating bhelpuri exaggerated his movements in true comic style, a 'chai-coffee' vendor used his kettle as a prop to interact with us, a man selling novelties gave us a whole choreographed pattern to follow, a hair-brush seller took it all in his stride while the lady who was buying laughed out loud once she realised we were copying her giggling.

One vendor seemed to realise that this was an opportunity to make us do just about anything - and had us rolling on the ground, putting our legs up in the air and so on. It was tough to gauge whether he was laughing with us or at us - and there was a comment of 'chootiyapani karaa rahaa hai'. We are aware that a large number of our group are women - and that we are opening ourselves to misinterpretation and even abuse. However, in general till now the crowd has been supportive, there is no doubt about that.

We wound down with our Slow Mo Race - which people immediately identify with and appreciate. Again, there was a smattering of applause and we ended the evening by fading into the night...

Of course, so much rich material and such strong experiences have brought up many thoughts, concerns, questions and ideas on how to proceed. For instance, this time around some of us felt the need to extend the connection with people - at least by handing out this blog address. While earlier we thought an observer would be necessary to guage the mood of the audience, this time we decided to guage it from within the performers circle itself.

To address all these concerns, and to assess the work we are doing, the group meets on the 6th of November. We welcome any points that readers may want to raise for discussion - please do leave comments. tx.

(more pics and video to be added)