BLOOM

A choreography for four performers.

Encourage the acting body to blossom,

Become the competent body of the skilled performer,

Capable of bringing to life on stage,

A new reality, imbued with wisdom.

The ancient Noh master Zeami pointed out that a performer has two periods, for which they use the metaphor of flowers. One is the period during which a performer moves their physical body freely, the "flower of the limited period". The other is the period when the performer becomes wise, his body and the quality of his movements adapt, this is the moment when his “true flower” blossoms. The task for Japanese performers is to make the true flower bloom, through the commitment to a lifelong apprenticeship.

In South India, in the martial arts of Kalaripayattu, the division is more cardinal, the Kalari arena is separated into east and west. Like the sun, the student makes a journey from East (or years only practicing the defence side of each weapon) and only after the master feels that the student is mature enough to be taught offence, does the student make their way to the west side. Not all students are entitled to learn the offence side of combat.

This progression from the east to west, coupled with the practice of rising before day break is also meant to Choreograph the practitioners daily practice into a rhythm with nature, the solar journey and settles the circadian rhythm.

In Western Europe, traditional formula of division or a lifelong path of learning is limited, the dancer trains young, quickly becomes an interpreter and performer of his own body on stage. There is rarely any question of an older dancer representing a younger body, or vice versa for that matter. Which brings us to body politics and the cult of values associated with youth.

During Diya Naidu and József Trefeli's first residency in India, this question of the age of the dancing body and the competence of the mature performer became obvious and served as the starting point for their research.

Idea, concept, proposition, direction : Diya Naidu, József Trefeli

Production, administration Geneva : Laure Chapel, József Trefeli

Diffusion and Production India : Alif Arts Consultancy Masoom Parmar

Choreography and dance : Diya Naidu, József Trefeli

Dance : Parth Bhardwaj, Priyabrata Panigrahi

Lights : Niranjan Gokhale

Sound : Madhav Agarwal

Contact with grand masters and logistics in India : Diya Naidu

Supported by : Pro Helvetia Co creation PHND

Calendar

Period I: 08.04.2024 – 26.04.2024

Period II: 11.10.2024 – 31.10.2024

2 performances at Bengalore International Centre (BIC) 01 & 02.11.2024