Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)
Pics: RK Durga Digitals
Udupi, Mar 14: A dash of French artistic flavour is in the air here, with an attempt being made to bring the two countries India and France closer with a fusion of Indian dance forms into those of French.
A troupe of five French artistes performing in differents parts of the country are now camped here, and were essaying Bharathanatyam steps on Wednesday, March 12, the basics of which they have already learnt from their guru Sudhir Rao Kodavoor of Nrithya Niketana.
The team is working at blending 'Bharatanatyam' with the ballet based on Arthur Rimbard's collection of poems. The five-member team comprises Daphne Piquet, Carolie Paqueleir, Audrey Boulanger and Carole Six and actor-director Eleas Tabit, all of whom have studied 'Kathakali' under the tutelage of Haridas of Kalamandalam, Kerala, at a camp in Gokarna in North Canara district.
The team performed on March 4 on March 7 in Pondicherry. Presently they are practising for nearly 16 hours a day to perform in Delhi on March 16, in Mumbai on April 4 and 5 and in Chandigarh on April 8.
Of the team Daphne Piquet is a French theatre personality and comedian who imparts training to children on theatre. She informed that they have just opened a cultural centre by the name 'Pandatra Circle', which will play host to cultural exchanges between India and France, at Gokarna. According to her this centre will work towards discovering French associations and French people in different parts of India and towards discovering traditional art forms of India.
Daphne informed that she along with Carolie will continue to learn Bharathanatyam, while Audrey will specialise in Kathakkali. The Indian teacher imparting training in acting and expressions to the team members is Manasi Sudhir Rao, an actress who played a key role in the Kannada flick 'Ramya Chaithra Kaala.'
Manasi, who seemed quite pleased with the progress made by the French team, informed that they were very quick in grasping the intricacies of the art. Just one or two demonstrations was enough for them to pick, she stated admiringly.