The Hindu : New Delhi News : Set to direct nobody

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Saturday, Jan 06, 2007
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Set to direct nobody

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: This may be only her third visit to the country, but noted German dancer-cum-choreographer Sasha Waltz already knows the "pulse'' of ordinary Indians.

Here in the Capital for the ninth edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Sasha says she is all set to direct her contemporary dance "Nobody" at the inauguration of the fortnight-long festival at Siri Fort Auditorium here this Saturday.

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni will inaugurate the festival, while performances by Indian and international theatre directors will be staged at Kamani Auditorium, Shri Ram Centre Auditorium and three National School of Drama theatres -- Bahumukh, Sammukh and Abhimanch.

"You don't have to be a dance specialist to enjoy my kind of dance. I have seen that Indians are very warm people, open and curious. I have had quite a few intellectual exchanges with them," says the noted choreographer.

Describing the upcoming dance presentation as part of a trilogy, Sasha reveals: "The production tries to explore what happens when we come to know that people with whom we had interacted only some days ago are no longer alive. How do we keep the memories of such people alive? It is a philosophical question."

What has struck Sasha about India is the great contrast in terms of wealth. "Despite so much modern technology and advancement in your country, poverty is shockingly high. As a foreigner, I do not know how to deal with such a situation," says Sasha, who studied dance and choreography in Amsterdam and New York.

Sasha's production "Sasha Waltz and Guests'' comprises artistes from 20 countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Portugal, Australia, Spain, Germany and Italy. She has to her credit 12 internationally acclaimed choreographies and films.

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