Gamelan Sekar Petak
Tuesday 10th June 2008, 1pmPrice Code: D(£5/£3)
For the first time the University Gamelan come to the Late Music Festival, performing a popular and exciting list of new works. A great informal event for all ages.
World Music Tuesday 10th June 2008
Price Code: D(£5/£3)
Indian Music featuring Bireshwar Gautam
Tuesday 10th June 2008, 7:30pmPrice Code: A(£12/£10)
The Dying Song - Theatre & music production
A Theatre-music interface about an androgynous thumri singer.
The narrative is as much about the dying form of baithaki thumri (traditionally performed by the baiji or courtesan) as suraiya - the artist who performs it at the borders of time, tradition and gender definition.
The conflict is within the protagonist who sometimes believes he/she is a man/woman. It is also between the characters who represent different generations and values.
The performance integrates music and musicians into the theatre space and offers a unique experience.
Thumri as a genre occupies the middle space between high classical music, theatre and dance. It is the feminine form as opposed to the masculine and vigorous Dhrupad or Khayal.
Suraiya - The artist occupies the grey space between strict gender borders. His/her androgynous boss and psyche become the song. The music - drama is about the singer and the song.
The script is inspired by a marathi novella entitled Devyachi Ayee by C.T. Khanolkar.