Picture Courtsey : Japan Foundation, India

Venue: Japan Foundation, Lajpat Nagar
Date: 13 June, 2015

Japan Foundation organizes various cultural programs spread throughout the year. These programs, mostly, are of a short duration and have a contemporary flavor.

Recently, in collaboration with Gati Dance Forum, they organized a modern dance presentation – “Double Bill Performance” by Takao Kawaguchi and Surjit Nongmeikapam at their premise on Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar – 4. Takao was visiting from Japan while Surjit is a dancer from Manipur.

The show was divided into three parts. In the first segment Takao did a slow piece “Good Luck”. It seemed like he was depicting the cycle of life but then it could also be about sprouting of plants. This piece was accompanied by pre recorded sound track that was anything but musical.

The second part of the show was a short film “Black Pot”. It appeared that this was some digital precompositing of dancers’ movements and the process of making a clay pot.

The third part was a joint performance by Takao and Surjit. This, named -“Improvisation” was also a collection of abstract movements that seemed to depict the aggressive side of making love. The performers were accompanied by a percussionist who played the tabla and bongo.

The pieces were completely abstract and the audience was free to interpret the actions depending on their mood that day. Such was the nature of the whole show

The sitting arrangement was simple bolsters and mattresses on the floor. The performance happened in the center of the audience. This brought the show closer to the audience and helped form a bridge between them and the performers. The program was followed by simple refreshments and the audience got an opportunity to mingle with each other.

In the day and age of Bollywood, pubs and all things fancy the simplicity of the show as well as the hospitality of Japan Foundation made this experience worth remembering.