March 28, 2005
Lyrical Tension: A New Interpretation
We all know about this epic tale, don't we, thanks to sunday mornings on the dual channel network we once had. Well, here is another interpretation of the same old mythical war epic, in Javanese style with good music and some dance that I did not understand too well. Arriving five minutes before the show, I found that they had converted the closest parking structure into a paid one. Nice way of making money of a free show. For me, the miser in such things, this meant parking some 8 minutes walk away and trekking back. As expected, the main floor was filled to capacity and I had to go up to the mezzanine level which also was filled quite a bit.
The beginning part of the show was the introduction, and by this is was the introduction of all the characters who skipped across the stage as their characters were called out. Not exactly skipping but Javanese dancing, it was all the same to me. Bheem was a huge man and Nakul and Sahdev, the twins, were given twin roles, both doing the same steps throughout the performance. Yudisthir was portrayed by a lady, as most wise men are in Javanese performances. This last piece of information curtsey the narrator, also a very wise person I presume.
The new interpretation was given as mortals being played by the gods, with Krishna on the good side and Shankuni on the evil side and no I did not get the spelling wrong. The evil one was Shankuni and pronounced just as it is written. Krishna incidently also was one of the drum players, so he was skipping between playing the drum and dancing on the stage.
The best part of the performance which I liked was the orchestra ensemble. The complete back half of the stage was full of exotic musical instruments. From big hanging metal vessels in the back which were the bass drums to the xylophone type looking instruments in the front. There were also dholaks and a couple of others which I could not make sense of how they were producing music. The music itself was wavering, the crescendos started slow and were gradually built up and then came down again. Overall, quite enjoyable, especially the music, but a little lacking on the details and an interpretation that I found weird being taught by the sunday morning programs.
Later playing volleyball, I ended up with an injured knee, the severity of which I have realized only this morning.
The beginning part of the show was the introduction, and by this is was the introduction of all the characters who skipped across the stage as their characters were called out. Not exactly skipping but Javanese dancing, it was all the same to me. Bheem was a huge man and Nakul and Sahdev, the twins, were given twin roles, both doing the same steps throughout the performance. Yudisthir was portrayed by a lady, as most wise men are in Javanese performances. This last piece of information curtsey the narrator, also a very wise person I presume.
The new interpretation was given as mortals being played by the gods, with Krishna on the good side and Shankuni on the evil side and no I did not get the spelling wrong. The evil one was Shankuni and pronounced just as it is written. Krishna incidently also was one of the drum players, so he was skipping between playing the drum and dancing on the stage.
The best part of the performance which I liked was the orchestra ensemble. The complete back half of the stage was full of exotic musical instruments. From big hanging metal vessels in the back which were the bass drums to the xylophone type looking instruments in the front. There were also dholaks and a couple of others which I could not make sense of how they were producing music. The music itself was wavering, the crescendos started slow and were gradually built up and then came down again. Overall, quite enjoyable, especially the music, but a little lacking on the details and an interpretation that I found weird being taught by the sunday morning programs.
Later playing volleyball, I ended up with an injured knee, the severity of which I have realized only this morning.
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