Contemporary dancer Dimple Kaur will enact some popular poems of Amrita Pritam on stage
Well-known Punjabi poetess Amrita Pritam’s works have inspired several theatrical and cinematic productions.Contemporary dancer Dimple Kaur will now stitch some of her widely acknowledged poems in her show Main Amrita-Kuch Kahi Kuch Ankahi.
“The poignancy, passion and authenticity regarding love and relationships in her poetry is what inspired me,” says Kaur.
“Though feminism came much later in the last century, the emotions have always been there in pervasive and prevalent form. In the performance, we can see the dreams and longing for love, which is beyond the realms of time and society,” says the danseuse.
The narrative of the play is the story of a woman who lives in her dreams only to find them broken in the real world.Yet, she remains hopeful and passionate and promises to continue life beautifully and courageously on her own terms.
“It is a solo dance theatre wherein I have integrated abhinaya to depict emotions. The only other character is the love and the lover who is the reviving component in the life,” says the artiste.
Poem Kuvanri (The Virgin) will be interpreted in today’s manifestations of domestic abuse and marital rapes. The psychological numbness and quietness is portrayed in the poem titled Chup followed by Mere Dost.
“Each poem is an acceptance of life and events. And as the journey continues, these poems talk about being hopeful. The message is to face the ups and downs of life courageously. They are about not giving up but getting up,” says Kaur. Amrita’s poems talk about the emptiness and hollowness in certain marriages and relationships. The marital rapes and domestic violence (physical and emotional both) go unnoticed and unsaid.
“In contemporary society, with the flooding of technology and information, people are well-connected yet lonely. In my therapy practice wherein I deal with cases of depression and marital problems, the lives are so devoid of authentic relationships. These poems describe these states of mind of people in today’s society,” she says.
Kaur, as an artist and psychotherapist, has tried to bring out the social issues through her performances. Her last production Swayambhu was about bringing self autonomy through hard work. The play will be performed tomorrow at Alliance Francaise.