The Upstage Interview: Aparna Sindhoor

More than gods and godesses

When I want to create my own work I need to tell the stories that make me feel, think, bother me, make me cry.

Upstage Host Eric Sukhu spoke with Aparna Sindhoor founder of Navarasa Dance Theatre. Encounter will be presented by Teesri Duniya Theatre as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations.

Below is an abridged version of the interview, edited by Estelle Rosen.    

UPSTAGE

You tackle a lot of social issues in Encounter. How did the creation of this piece come about.

SINDHOOR

Encounter is our latest production.  The original piece was created last year in Boston. It is composed of several encounters including Divine, gravity, Bob Marley, and military. The military encounter is what we’ll be presenting in Montreal. The story is based on a short story by Indian writer Mahasweta Devi. It is about an indigeneous woman and her resistance and defiance against injustice in her community.

Working closely together in rehearsal makes it happen.

UPSTAGE

Does the company usually deal with dance or theatre or both.

SINDHOOR

Both. We have very strong dancers in the company, but also narrative and character development, physical theatre, singers, dancers. All the actors have to be able to act, sing, dance, climb ropes etc. We train most of our dancers. Sometimes our presentations are based on a story, most of the time it develops in rehearsal because it’s a collaboration between the writer who co-wrote the piece with me. Working closely together in rehearsal makes it happen.

UPSTAGE
Two questions. How long has this company been in existence.  Do you find that incorporating such themes as war and genocide provides one way to talk about these things.

SINDHOOR

I started this company 20 years ago. Incorporating such themes as genocide is never easy. But people do get the themes. It appears abstract when you look at it on the surface, but there is an overall meaning that everyone gets. Movement has the ability to explore and take it further. 

Most dances are in relationship to god. I’m not denying the beauty in it but felt I couldn’t connect with it any more.

UPSTAGE

I have a question about traditional Hindu dances. According to the information I read,   you usually stray away from the stories about Hindu gods and deities. Is there a reaon why you choose to step away from that?

SINDHOOR

I trained in classical India dances for a long time. Like any other Indian classical dancer, I was taught pieces about gods and goddesses. Of course there are also pieces about secular love but there are very few. Most are in relationship to god. I’m not denying the beauty in it but felt I couldn’t connect with it any more. When I want to create my own work I need to tell the stories that make me feel, think, bother me, make me cry.

Maybe no one is leaving saying wow what a great show. But everybody left feeling something.

UPSTAGE

I understand this was performed in Boston – what was the reaction.

SINDHOOR

Good reviews from  critics.  Considering the serious themes, it wouldn’t be correct to say the audience enjoyed it. But the way the show moves, funny at the same time as serious, in general the audience loved it. In our talk back sessions after the show, there was a wide range of emotions. Maybe no one is leaving saying wow what a great show. But everybody left feeling something.

UPSTAGE

What do you expect from Montreal audiences

SINDHOOR

Well we’ve performed in Montreal before with Teesri Duniya. In the past, Montrealers have loved my work, so I’m hoping it’ll be the same or better.

May 11-15

Calixa Lavallée Cultural Centre

Teesri Duniya Website