With the extraordinary, and sometimes comic, talent of Javanese dance icon, Didik Nini Thowok, and the subtlety of Pooja Bhatnagar’s north Indian classical Kathak, the little-known Mahabharata episode of Shikhandini (or ‘Srikandi’ as the character is known in Indonesia) captivated audiences at Gedung Kesenian on Dec. 4.
This “Festival of India” event was truly an embodiment of the festival’s slogan—Friendship through Culture—as the collaboration between Indonesian and Indian artists reached a new, unique height in every aspect of the performance: Gamelan fused with harmonium and tabla, and Indonesian topeng (mask) interspersed the ghungroo (Indian anklets) created an exemplary fusion.
The shared heritage of the epic Mahabharata facilitated the collaboration, which was under the artistic direction of Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Center and Festival Director, M.K. Singh. The dance-drama depicted the story of a transgender character, Shikhandini, who aids the benevolent Pandavas in vanquishing one of their mightiest foes, Bhishma.
With occasional voice-overs in Hindi, the plot was nudged gently along as masculine Javanese wayang wong dancers, graceful Indian Chhau artists and students of Indian classical dance at JNICC played out the tale with dynamism and skill.
Didik Nini Thowok’s uncanny depiction of both male and female characters, and occasional comic relief, had the audience enthralled.
“Pak Didik was very good as usual,” said Dita Leinefanny, as she proceeded to join the crowd gathering around the artist for photographs. “This is the first time we have seen a fusion like this,” agreed Yusuf and Hannisa.
As the performances of “Festival of India” enter the home stretch, “Shikhandini” brings with it, and live up to, the promise of a colorful and remarkable close to the Festival. The performance of this dance-drama will be repeated only once in Yogyakarta on Dec. 14.
Parikrama Live Band and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt are set to tour Indonesia starting Dec. 4 as a part of “Festival of India”.
Kanupriya Kapoor
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