MAGIC BOW: DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Based on the compositions of Vidwan Lalgudi Jayaraman

Concept, Script, Direction, Design

Gowri Ramnarayan

Lalgudi Jayaraman (1930-2013) had a unique attribute: a visual imagination. He painted characters and settings on his mindscreen as he composed his music. His compositions became the auditory forms of the visual scenarios he imagined.  He found greater freedom to do this by opting for ragas never used before for the genres he chose. 

That is how his jatiswaram in Raga Rasikapriya depicts a shipwrecked couple exploring an uninhabited island, the varnam in Charukesi follows a woman deluded into playing hide- and-seek with the lover - who has never left her side! The tillana in Pahadi has a God dancing on the mountain, protecting nature and the environment, to nourish body and soul. 

My script and directorial design grew out of listening to the master bowman’s music from childhood. My understanding acquired more dimensions when I interviewed him and reviewed his concerts as a critic (The Hindu). Now JustUs Repertory combines dance, music and storytelling to recreate the visual scenarios for the music as imagined by the composer. We also roam with him through the village scenes of his childhood which inspired him in his life and music. 

Sheejith Krishna rises to the challenges of the choreography with flair and innovative vision. 

LIVE PERFORMANCE

Concept, script, direction, storytelling: Gowri Ramnarayan

dance, dance choreography: Sheejith Krishna

dance: Anjana Anand

lighting design: B Charles

RECORDED MUSIC

vocals: Nisha Rajagopalan          violin: Shreya Devnath

nattuvangam, mridangam,: Sheejith Krishna      flute: JB Shruthisagar

recorded, mixed & mastered by Sai Shravanam, Resound India