As dusk set in, a cool breeze enveloped the city. It was a perfect
day for an evening out. The Music Academy was teeming with
dance connoisseurs who had come to witness a contemporary dance-theatre
production. Going by the audience turnout, it was evident that shows
with new themes have caught the fancy of Chennai audiences.
The
show was meticulously planned, with fourteen professionally-trained
dancers. The audience was given the gist of the show in an eco-friendly
paper that went very well with the main theme of the drama - the
oneness of all beings. The concept was that man and nature share
a common soul and each depends on the other for survival. Uma
Ganesan, the managing trustee of the Cleveland Cultural Alliance
(India), a non-profit organisation devoted to the promotion
of the South Asian performing arts, gave the inaugural welcome address.
She was also the narrator for the show.
Friendship, Family ties and Nature - these form the fulcrum of
existence. These are the ideals that Shel Silverstein explores
in his story 'The Giving Tree'. This story has been
adapted to an Indian setting. The production is also based on the
Indian Folk Tale 'The Mango Tree'. Titled 'The
Living Tree', the production was scripted by Luceille
Gruber, a highly regarded arts presenter and artist based in
the USA. The artistes created the logo, the set design and the costumes
themselves.
Set
in a village, the production is about the relationship between a
loving girl and her beloved tree. Sensing that the tree is a kindred
spirit, she waters it faithfully. Under her loving care, the tree
grows large and provides shade, fruit and firewood to the villagers.
But the girl's sister-in-law, annoyed with the girl's devotion to
the tree, decides to get her married. The girl, after marriage,
entrusts the care of her beloved tree to her sister-in-law, not
realising that the latter is not bothered about the tree. Before
long the tree begins to lose its leaves, and wilts. Mysteriously,
the girl's brother falls ill at the same time. The girl, sensing
impending disaster, rushes back home. She sees the dying tree and
runs to find water for it, first giving some to her brother. Magically,
the tree is revived and the brother is restored to health.
The
opening scene of the production was brilliantly executed. The male
dancers lay prostrate on the stage and moved sinuously in different
directions. It was probably meant to show the roots of the tree.
The superb lighting and music added to the whole dramatic effect
of the movement. The simple set design - a huge erection at the
centre of the stage draped in brown cloth (a tree) extending beyond
the top wings of the stage seemed very realistic. The costume of
G. Narendra, the choreographer, looked every bit like a tree,
complete with twisted pieces of cloth and artificial leaves around
his body. He was standing with his hands thrown upwards, facing
the tree for most part of the show. The portrayal of the girl by
Mahalakshmi, a Kalakshetra-trained dancer was very
good. The show succeeded in bringing out the essence of a typical
South Indian village, its lifestyle and its culture. The wedding
scene in particular was very well executed. Similarly, the bullock
cart (depicted by the dancers) carrying the bride was a brilliant
piece of choreography. The farewell scene, where the girl bids goodbye
to her beloved tree, touched a chord in the hearts of the audience.
The production was a blend of different dance styles, Indian, Western
and Folk. The musical score was creative and original. Special mention
also for the creative props used by the artistes. The Living Tree
- Enthralling, from start to finish.
The
show was meticulously planned, with fourteen professionally-trained
dancers. The audience was given the gist of the show in an eco-friendly
paper that went very well with the main theme of the drama - the
oneness of all beings. The concept was that man and nature share
a common soul and each depends on the other for survival. Uma
Ganesan, the managing trustee of the Cleveland Cultural Alliance
(India), a non-profit organisation devoted to the promotion
of the South Asian performing arts, gave the inaugural welcome address.
She was also the narrator for the show. 
Set
in a village, the production is about the relationship between a
loving girl and her beloved tree. Sensing that the tree is a kindred
spirit, she waters it faithfully. Under her loving care, the tree
grows large and provides shade, fruit and firewood to the villagers.
But the girl's sister-in-law, annoyed with the girl's devotion to
the tree, decides to get her married. The girl, after marriage,
entrusts the care of her beloved tree to her sister-in-law, not
realising that the latter is not bothered about the tree. Before
long the tree begins to lose its leaves, and wilts. Mysteriously,
the girl's brother falls ill at the same time. The girl, sensing
impending disaster, rushes back home. She sees the dying tree and
runs to find water for it, first giving some to her brother. Magically,
the tree is revived and the brother is restored to health. 
The
opening scene of the production was brilliantly executed. The male
dancers lay prostrate on the stage and moved sinuously in different
directions. It was probably meant to show the roots of the tree.
The superb lighting and music added to the whole dramatic effect
of the movement. The simple set design - a huge erection at the
centre of the stage draped in brown cloth (a tree) extending beyond
the top wings of the stage seemed very realistic. The costume of
G. Narendra, the choreographer, looked every bit like a tree,
complete with twisted pieces of cloth and artificial leaves around
his body. He was standing with his hands thrown upwards, facing
the tree for most part of the show. The portrayal of the girl by
Mahalakshmi, a Kalakshetra-trained dancer was very
good. The show succeeded in bringing out the essence of a typical
South Indian village, its lifestyle and its culture. The wedding
scene in particular was very well executed. Similarly, the bullock
cart (depicted by the dancers) carrying the bride was a brilliant
piece of choreography. The farewell scene, where the girl bids goodbye
to her beloved tree, touched a chord in the hearts of the audience.
The production was a blend of different dance styles, Indian, Western
and Folk. The musical score was creative and original. Special mention
also for the creative props used by the artistes. The Living Tree
- Enthralling, from start to finish. 
