This Space between Us is an exploration of the Alarippu, a traditional dance sequence from the Bharatanatyam repertoire. Taught as the first dance sequence to a student of Bharatanatyam, Alarippu (meaning blossoming of a flower) is designed as a response to the traditional South India temple architecture. The simplicity of the sequence belies the multiple layers of nuance in terms of movements and rhythm play.

 

Interestingly, the three positions - standing (Samapādam), half sitting (Araimandi) and full sitting (Murumandi) of the Alarippu and the standing, kneeling and sitting positions of the Islamic prayer Namaaz have many similarities. Playing on the word Al(l)a(h)rippu, the work explores the Azaan, the Islamic prayer call, as a soundscape layered over the traditional Bharatanatyam sollukattus, and explores the convergences and divergences in the movements of a Namaaz with that of the Alarippu. Furthermore, the work reconstructs the Alarippu choreographically by removing it from a temple space and situating it in a mosque.

 

This Foundation Project is implemented by India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) under the Arts Practice programme, made possible with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment Fund.

 

Concept, Choreography and Direction: Masoom Parmar

Dramaturgy & Co-choreography: Priyanka Chandrasekhar

Azaan & Surah Al-Fātiḥah: Yunus Parmar

Music, Sound & Vocals: Bindhumalini Narayanaswamy

Sarod: Manik Khan

Arrangement Support: Rishab Nair

Arrangement and Mix Master: Sridhar Varadarajan

Cinematography & Edit: Naveed Mulki

Costume Design: Nikitha Satish, Dori Designs

Production Management: Alif Arts Consultancy

Sollukattu & Assistant Production Manager: Talin Subbaraya