A labour of Love - Kirtana Kumar

The play Shakuntala portrays the tragic love story with an energetic collaboration between an actor, a musician and a kalari artist. Kirtana Kumar tells Puja Goyal how the play is different from the rest.

(c)2007 Puja Goyal

Most people are familiar with Raja Ravi Vermas version of Shakuntala through his paintings. Few know that there are other versions that challenge Dushyantha's actions. Little Jasmine's re-imagination of Shakuntala is an energetic collaboration between an actor, Kirtana Kumar, a musician, Konark Reddy and Anmol Mothi, a seasoned kalari artist. We speak to Kirtana on how "Shakuntala" took shape.

Lots of people have performed Shakuntala. How is yours different?
We were commissioned to develop a play based on the "Shakuntala" myth by Trestle Theatre (UK); we loved the story and immediately took to it. Then there was a blast in Mumbai and many people died; even Konark's father passed away. It was a sad situation. Yet, people are so desensitized that after a while everyone forgot. This bothered me.Konark found the Shrimad Bhagvatam and a bookmark at the chapter of Shakuntala. We thought it was an interesting way to look at the story and the world. It made us think and wonder if anything matters. We wanted to take a metaphoric approach to the story. Vyasa's Shakuntala is different to Kalidasa's Shakuntala; where Kalidasa's Shakuntala accepts the ring but Vyasa's does not.We combined both the elements and questioned it in the mythical story.

Why did you use Kalaripatayu in Shakuntala?
An actor is not just about the face and words. There are dances, music and others… I believe that the whole body speaks. Emily Guy, a friend of ours asked us if we could use Kalaripatayu as part of the play because it was beautiful… and we did. We want to use what it takes to tell a story. If music or Kalaripatayu has to play a big part in it then so be it… We want to pull out all the resources available to ensure that the story is justified. Our group put together what we are skilled at. Konark is an informed musician so he put together all genre of music… and so on. It took us eight months to develop the concept.

You were injured in the previous performance…
Yes, I did. My jaw was dislocated. It took a while to heal and Mothi was so shocked and worried. He thought he had killed me. Injuries and hazards are part and parcel of anything you do.

Your message in Shakuntala
The play starts with a line and ends beautifully… is something I hope people remember. [START]"Third quarter of time has passed and kali has now set in…
… There are a million suns shining your way [END]."

Would you take Shakuntala to different cities?
We are planning a tour but before that, we have an interesting concept coming up in December. IFA wants us to develop a project on Indian weddings; inculcating the concept of fluid spaces.

Shakuntala is being staged at Ranga Shankara at 7:30 pm on August 17, 18 and 19 respectively with a special matinee show at 3:30 pm on Sunday, August 19.

RELATED PICTURES:
1: kirtana kumar; 2: anmol mothi