We the intruders!

The story of the once inhabitants of the forest was recited in The Mystical Forest. It is a contemporary dance production presented by Sadhya. The show, through the vocabulary of Mayurbhanj Chhau narrated the story of the soul within the forest as its inhabitant. It also had strong tribal influences and grounded movements with contemporary interpretation. Through the act, the artists portrayed the various experiences, emotions, rituals and celebrations of the jungle dwellers. 

The viewers of the production were taken on a journey of the divinity that the people living in forests may experience, their daily activities, to the playfulness, the hunting, the rituals and traditions that they believe in and to the relationship that they would be having. It basically defined their day from dawn to dusk. 

What was attractive about the whole act was how it showcased, in a very subtle way, their sensitivity to the outside world, which they are not familiar with and are very apprehensive about. The production without being outright left an impact on the viewers and forced them to think as to why the inhabitants of the forest can’t live just as they always have been living. It also asks questions that  is pertinent from a very long time: the question of the intrusion of technology in the natural world. 

The aerial act by Carolina Prada and Gaura Prema, our guests from abroad, need a special mention for the precision with which the act was performed. All in all, the act was quite well put up.