The ancient game of Ludo, also known as Chaupal, has been played for centuries and even has historical and mythological references. Taking inspiration from this timeless chaupal, a classical rendition Chaturang ki Chaupal was performed in Experimental Theatre at NCPA.
Designed by Pune-based Kathak exponent Shama Bhate, the stage was set in two levels while dancers donning the four colours of the board game introduced the four components of tarana, sargam, sahitya, and rhythmic syllables intricately and homogeneously woven in raagas. The choreography takes elements from the game, from literature, and from Hindustani classical music to tell a story about humans.
The performance draws the inspiration from Birju Maharaj performing on a chauraha (square) amidst a crowd. “Audience standing all around used to request him ‘maharaj, ek tukda yahaan pe bhi dena (Maharaj, show us a bit here too) and he used to rotate in all the directions, trying to please everybody,” recalls Shama who tried to create the same effect where the performance is visible to the audience from all angles.
Shama Bhate
Divided into four parts, each tells a story using four different Raagas- Yaman, Jaijaywanti and Adana. The dancers depicting Chaturangs compete with each other, challenge, and repartee and then playfully proceed to form a wholesome union. “I was apprehensive and had butterflies in my belly because I didn’t know if it would be possible to have a space like this,” smiles Shama who breaks the proscenium style of performance by placing her 11 performers on square stage. “We rehearsed in a badminton court and we did the final movements on the stage just on the day of the performance,” gushes the dancer.
After rigorously rehearsing for more than two weeks, the dancers managed to put up an enthralling performance. “My dancers are well trained, everyone knows their part. This is a tricky stage so you need some different energies and experience,” says Shama. When asked about her thoughts on experimental performances, she asserts that she firmly believes that tradition has to move with the time and it should go hand in hand with technology, “Then only you make something different and your performances are appreciated.” The dancer experiments with music, dance styles, spaces and themes to cater to the audience of a new generation. “The idea was to use the space in a different way, these types of performances look mysterious, you never know which dancer would move to which space,” she smiles. A firm believer of presenting thoughts in a unique form, Shama’s next production will be a complete blend of chaos from the past and present while depicting social issues like split personality, honour killing, and deprivation of women.
