Contemporary dance fest to explore racism, transgender rights

Indiscrimination against the transgender community, the stigma associated with dark skin and other pertinent issues will be addressed through the medium of dance at a festival that begins here today.
From a moving piece by a Kolkata-based dance company depicting the displaced situation of the third sex, to Jayachandran Palazhy's portrayal of the "fragility of solitude", "Expressions", an international contemporary dance festival, will see performances from across the globe.
Choreographer Mitul Sengputa, who worked on the subject of transgender rights for two years, says his production titled, "Desolate - The Voices of the Trapped", is an attempt to raise awareness about the voices that are often suppressed by the society.

"We came up with the concept two years ago when the issues of recognition of transgenders came to light in courts and in media. Eventually it was Devdutt Patanik's 'Mahabharata' and the concepts of Aravan which inspire me to take up the issue.
"So mythology itself reveals that the situation of transgenders was never the same as it is now," he says.
The three-day festival, organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Teamworks Arts, will showcase performances by Indian as well as international productions while aiming to open up dialogue and collaboration between the two cultures.

"The festival aims to bring young creative minds from India and abroad together where they experiment with their traditional and classical dance forms to create choreography which may look similar at the micro level but in their soul, they represent the native culture of the countries," says Suresh Goel, former Director General of ICCR. Goel has also curated the festival.

He says the festival will also help provide a global reach to the Indian contemporary artistes.
"This dance form is actually influenced by the classical art of any region or country. Classical dance forms have given birth to different contemporary dances. Any culture which has to remain alive must evolve with times and that is what contemporary dance does," he says.
Ahmedabad-based IceCraft company will explore contemporary expressions in Kathak while depicting the parlays between love and longings.
"Jinx 103", a performance by Compagine Jozsef Trefeli from Switzerland will explore the rhythms and rituals of life in a high energy performance. The performance will use body percussion to create music.

Amarinder Khatua, Director General of ICCR sees the festival as a potent platform for upcoming indigenous artistes who can showcase their talent globally.
"There are very few platforms where upcoming artistes and dance production companies can showcase talent with a global reach. I think we must take it to other cities too," says Khatua.
The festival is set to continue till March 29 at Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts here.