A unique blend of Indian and contemporary dance raises awareness of deforestation.
“The Forest Man of India”, the story of the ecological activist, has inspired this touring dance theatre production, bringing together two South Indian classical dance styles with contemporary dance to Kala Sangam, the arts venue in Bradford.
The Forest Dream, by choreographer and dance artist Payal Ramchandani, aims to highlight the urgency of climatic trauma caused by damaging acts like deforestation and industrialisation.
The autumn 2023 tour will open at Kala Sangam in Bradford on 23 September, before travelling to five other UK venues.
Payal: “This work is inspired by the true story of the Forest Man of India, Jadav ‘Molai’ Payeng, who cultivated a forest along the Brahmaputra river in India to protect the area’s wildlife. The story is my interpretation of his and his tribe’s relationship with the mystical ‘Aranyani’, the Goddess of Forests.
I wanted this show to be a wake-up call to the ecological inertia we have found ourselves in, and an urgent plea to course-correct ourselves. The Forest Man serves as a real-life role model to young people, to inspire them to act as agents of change.”
Weaving in Southern Indian Carnatic music with Western soundscapes, the production is a stylistic blend of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi (both South Indian classical dance styles) and contemporary dance.
As one of the few practitioners of the Kuchipudi in the UK, Payal hopes this rare coming together of styles will encourage audiences to embrace and explore a more diverse range of performance styles.
The Forest Dream has been co-commissioned by Dance City and GemArts and has received funding from Arts Council England.
It is supported by key partners Kala Sangam, Milap, The Lowry, National Trust (Seaton Delaval Hall), Gateshead City Council, Sampad, TCR Hub, The Bowes Museum, Company of Others, Moving Art Management and Newcastle College.
You can pay what you decide for your tickets here.
The Forest Dream tour dates
Bradford
23 September
Kala Sangam
Newcastle
7 October
Dance City
Manchester
10 October
The Lowry
North Tyneside
22 October
Seaton Deleval Hall
Birmingham
25 October
MAC
Liverpool
10 November
Indika Festival
The Forest Dream rehearsal photography by Tom Banks.
