A trip across the world

The world was at the fingertips of the hundred students, who performed as part of Attakkalari’s international contemporary dance and digital arts festival at the Gurunanak Bhavan.

 ‘Time Frames’ — the contemporary dance recital that they performed — had a combination of two different mediums. These students were from different institutions like Gear Foundation, Delhi Public School (Kanakpura Road), Parikrama Humanity Foundation and others.

 It was a brilliant effort — they fused their thoughts and wishes with snippets from the cultures of different countries, to come up with a memorable performance.

Margie Medlin, an Australian media artiste, was the choreographer of the show. She combined visual arts with the performing arts to create something different.

The show incorporated shadow acts, as well as contemporary and traditional dances. The dancers were bubbling with energy. “My background as a light designer brought out the relationship between the stage and dance. Working with children was an extraordinary feeling and I enjoyed it a lot. The piece showcases the cultures of different countries. We have been working hard for eight weeks,” informs Margie. The show began with a screen shot, showing the number of people travelling in and out of various countries in the world.

 The children of Delhi Public School transported the audience to Senegal and Dublin. Clad in the traditional Senegalese robes and headgear, the girls glided in, accompanied by the boys who performed some difficult stunts, The focus then shifted to an Irish traditional dance. Next in line were the French maidens and boys, carrying props and entertaining the audience with their confident moves.

The tour then moved to a different region, showing glimpses of the popular culture of football in Ireland and the Irish tap dance.

The children of Parikrama Humanity Foundation gave a glimpse of Pago Pago and Havana, Cuba.
The shadow act stole the show — through this, the children showcased the culture of Pago Pago, making different shapes and enacting various scenes like travelling on a boat, fishing and climbing up a mountain. Children from Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, Wilson Garden, portrayed the culture of Kenya and Egypt in a unique style. They showcased the culture of two tribes in Kenya and closed the recital with a powerful shadow act, depicting the ancient culture of Egypt.Natasha, who had come to watch her son perform, says that the children did an exceptional job of exploring a unique concept.

“The best part was that it was very educative. The children got to learn so much about the different cultures across the world,” she adds.