Reviewed by Hannah Goodman
I Am… presented by Swaroopa Prameela Unni offers a unique insight into the world of classical dance forms from South India. Recently moving to Perth at the beginning of 2024, Swaroopa is a distinguished practitioner of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam, two styles that have origins in ancient and medieval South India.
This hour-long performance is a celebration of these ancient styles, brought to the stage through a program curated by Swaroopa that honours their origins and cultural significance. If you’re unfamiliar with this style of dance, rest assured that you will leave having learned something new – whether it’s the characteristics of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam, their place in the history of South India, or the role these ancient art forms play in a world that is increasingly modern and ever-changing.
Six pieces were performed in this show, each giving an insight into the role of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam as a vehicle for worship and storytelling. Interspersed between these pieces was a brief introduction to each dance from Swaroopa, along with their historical and cultural importance. I really liked how Swaroopa showed the audience specific choreographic movements and their meaning prior to some of the dances, these moves representing a character or concept within the dance’s narrative. This made the dance’s underlying story clearer for those in the audience who may not be familiar with these dance styles.
Following an acknowledgement of Country, an acknowledgement of the origins of these art forms was given, recognising the women who first performed these styles in ancient South India. This was a small but powerful element of the performance, reminding the audience that these dance forms have existed for many centuries. The history of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam is fascinating, and I think going into more depth about the dance styles themselves and their histories at some point in the performance would help contextualise and further elevate the significance of these pieces, how they have evolved over time and the importance in continuing to perform them today.
The dancing itself was very well done, with some pieces choreographed by Swaroopa herself. Every movement Swaroopa made was intentional, whether it was the rhythmic striking of her feet against the floorboards or her smooth and graceful arm movements. Her sustained eye contact with the audience at times made you feel like you were part of the performance.
The choreography was enhanced with simple but effective lighting changes to reflect the underlying emotions conveyed within the pieces, in addition to enhancing the beautiful ornamentation worn by Swaroopa. A table with a lamp atop it was present for the entire performance, and the small stage created an intimate atmosphere, both characteristic of Mohiniyattam.
The topic of identity and belonging was a common thread throughout the pieces performed, from the colonial influence on traditional art forms in the 1800s, to the experience of immigrants in the twenty-first century. Swaroopa invited the audience to consider how various factors have shaped the evolution of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam, in addition to shaping the lived experiences of immigrants on the journey to self-discovery.
“I Am…” is Swaroopa’s first full-length performance in Perth, and hopefully, Perth audiences will get to see more of her inspired work as both choreographer and educator. Whether it’s an audience member’s first exposure or a revisitation to these dance forms, this is a performance for everyone.
Reviewer Note: Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.
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