Parama Padam is a visualisation of a traditional board game choreographed using the rich movement vocabulary of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form. The narrative explores the game’s moral values with references from the Indian epics, communicated through “abhinaya”, the art of storytelling in Bharatanatyam.
The original game originated in India in the 10th century CE by the followers of the Vaishnavite Hindu faith, with the dual purpose of entertainment and teaching moral values of human life. On the game board, there are a hundred squares illustrated with Snakes and Ladders. The ladders represent good virtues and the snakes indicate vices. Good deeds take you up the ladders towards “Vaikuntha” (heaven) while the snakes navigate you back down representing the recurring cycle of re-birth and life’s tribulations. This game was popularised by the British when they came to occupy India in the 18th century CE as “Snakes and Ladders” making it a much loved game for children around the world.
This production is performed solo by Mohanapriyan Thavarajah – resident Choreographer and Principal Dancer of Apsaras Arts Dance Company and features music and lyrics by acclaimed Indian composer, Dr Rajkumar Bharathi, and accomplished light designer, Gyan Dev Singh. The narrator is Ramesh Panicker, a well-known voice artist of Singapore. Dramaturge Dr Lim How Ngean and Artistic Director, Aravinth Kumarasamy make up the dynamic team of creators of this unique production.
This performance is 60 minutes without intermission in a showcase of three acts and an epilogue. This production premiered at the Esplanade in January 2019 and has toured to several cities in France in November 2021 and returns from a tour in Sri Lanka in April 2022.
Duration: approximately 1 hour (with no intermission)
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