Anthi & Kaali Kavuthuvam
When
Saturday, 29 October 2022, 8:30am
Sunday, 30 October 2022, 3:00am
Location
4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
181-187 Hay St, Haymarket
This event is part of the 4A/24 program.
Anthi, Q&A and Kaali Kavuthuvam
29 Oct | 7:30-8:30pm (Saturday session)
Anthi and Kaali Kavuthuvam
30 Oct | 2:00-2:30pm (Sunday session)
Join us at 4A for an authentic South Asian experience in Film, Talk and live Performance with Anthi, a film featuring Anandavalli and directed by Iqbal Barkat, followed by Kaali Kavuthuvam, a special choreographic composition in praise of Goddess Kaali in temple rituals, choreographed by Anandavalli, danced by Aruthy Kumanan. We’re thrilled to partner with Lingalayam Dance Company to present this program.
Anthi
Film Screening, followed by Q&A with Iqbal Barkat & Anandavalli on the Saturday session.
“Anthi”, Tamil for twilight, evokes a transition – from light into darkness; through the uncertainty of the future towards adaptation, meaning and hope. It is an anthem to the present. Staged in the Australian bush, veteran Bharatnatyam dancer/choreographer, Anandavalli, performs to “Mukthi Alikkum”, a Tamil song on social justice.
“Mukthi Alikkum”, was written in the 19th century by South Indian composer, Gopalakrishna Barathi and is from his masterpiece, Nandanar Charitram, the opera on the life of Nandanar, one of the only Dalit saints in Hinduism.
The song extends beyond its invective against oppression and violence perpetrated against Dalits (the lowest caste in India), as it also rebukes pride and ignorance, the fundamental limitations of humanity. “Anthi”, connects ancient South-Asian dance and music forms to a contemporary Australian bush setting where a cataclysm far greater than the Covid-19 pandemic is evident.
Director & Producer: Iqbal Barkat
Choreographer & Dancer: Anandavalli
Cinematography: Sidat De Silva
Editing: Karen Pearlman
Sound Design: Steve De Souza
Music: Gopalakrishna Barathi / Arjunan Puvendran
Kaali Kavuthuvam
The Kavuthuvam is a special choreographic composition that featured regularly in temple rituals, characterised by 'chollukkattu' (rhythmic syllables) and interspersed with lyrics. This particular Kavuthuvam is sung in praise of Goddess Kaali and here she is portrayed dancing in the ancient city of Alangaadhu.
Choreographer: Anandavalli
Dancer: Aruthy Kumanan
Ragam: Hamsadhwani
Thalam: Kanda Chapu
Composition: Traditional
Anandavalli is the Artistic Director of Lingalayam Dance Company.
Associated Event Series
Art in the Heart of Haymarket
Set in one of Sydney’s most dynamic precincts, Art in the Heart of Haymarket is a new festival that will celebrate Asian arts and culture through a pulsating program of new music, performance, and visual art.
Top image: Anandavalli, still from 'Anthi', 2021, courtesy of the artist, image supplied.
We are partnering with Lingalayam Dance Company to present this program.
