‘India is half of my life story’

Mona

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In her early twenties, when Annette Leday saw her first Kathakali performance, she was so mesmerised that she packed her bags from Paris to call Kerala her home; to learn this incredible dance form. Forty years on, the passion remains the same, only now she directs, rather than perform.

As this artist came to Chandigarh on Tuesday with Kathakali King Lear, along with co-director David McRuvie, the duo shares their impressions of India and its culture...

Kathakali King Lear debuted in 1989 and travelled various stages before finishing the successful run at the Globe Theatre, London in July 1999. Almost three decades on, a shorter version saw its first performance in Thiruvananthapuram on November 30. Just before its second show in Chandigarh, the duo couldn’t help but exclaim at the beautiful percussion, singing, dance and theatre it brings along. 

“The new version is shorter at two hours with only slight changes keeping in mind the strength of the artistes,” shares Annette, who played Cordelia in version one. David, who also adapted King Lear for Kathakali, likes the crisper version. But the adaption, he insists was a mighty challenge to begin with. “King Lear for me is the most powerful Shakespearean creation. It might not be a pretty play like Hamlet but the language, emotions - this one story sears through your heart.” 

Story of a king and his three daughters have found favour around the world – even the Kathakali version. “We never used subtitles for the story speaks to you through its spectacle,” says Annette, who has lot more Kathakali compositions to her credit, most of them contemporary dance productions.

However, King Lear remains close to their heart, “The play and Kathakali are two power houses that create magic when put together on stage,” says David, who feel comfortable dividing time between India and France. 

The duo, much in love with our country’s lively, vibrant culture, worries about the immense change in last few decades that’s not all positive, “Still it goes in India’s favour that it’s  largely a democratic country.”

mona@tribunemail.com