For video and audio documentation of the oral and performative elements of sadir, locating it within the context of the Isai Vellalar community, whose few surviving members are the only exponents of this dance form.
For ethnographic video documentation of the temple oracles of Kerala. The resulting film will probe the collective dimension of ritual performance, critique its contemporary aesthetic functions and inquire into the possible neurological and scientific aspects of trance.
For research into Indian ceramic art practice in the nineteenth century. The study will focus on the implications of European trade for the Indian potter, the art school ethos and changing styles in Indian ceramic ware. It is expected to result in databases, a curatorial text and an illustrated book.
For developing and implementing, in collaboration with the Rewachand Bhojwani Academy, Pune, an arts programme that would lead to an arts education curriculum. Besides introducing students to local culture via the arts through a series of workshops, the programme seeks to make an impact on the staff and parents as well.
For an assessment of perspectives on arts education, reflected in the syllabi and teaching practices of a range of schools and a teacher-training institute in New Delhi. The study will attempt to uncover significant aspects of arts education policy and highlight efforts towards enlightened arts pedagogy and better evaluation mechanisms.
For a series of workshops for children in and around Bangalore by a storytelling team comprising a teacher, a craft specialist and an administrator. The project will connect storytelling to other creative activities, demonstrate alternative ways of looking at learning, and initiate a plan to establish a resource centre for storytelling and allied activities.
For workshops by a theatre director, a classical dance exponent and a traditional folk theatre group to share teaching and performance techniques and practices. The collaboration is expected to help the theatre group to formulate survival strategies, the dancer to reintroduce narrative singing and storytelling into Kuchipudi performance, and the director to strengthen training for his actors.
For workshops in villages and small towns by urban visual artists/potters and tribal and folk potters to facilitate an exchange of skills and techniques in pottery and ceramics.
For research and examination, by a theatre director, a contemporary actor and a musician, of the textual nature of music in Koodiyattam, the classical theatre of Kerala. The project will result in a new theatre piece and a reworked version of an earlier production.
For continuing the work between an urban visual artist from Mumbai and four traditional artists in Bastar District, Madhya Pradesh, who will gain an appreciation of one another’s aesthetic concerns, techniques and creative processes. Paintings, sculptures and video films that emerge may form part of urban public installations.
For a Karnataka tour of three contemporary shadow-puppetry performances targeted at children and involving university departments of folklore. The performances, which were jointly created by theatre artists, visual artists, musicians and puppeteers, will introduce children to the arts and help sustain folk performance traditions.
For a fresh examination of the dynamics between theatre and social action, by a coordinating body for welfare organisations in rural West Bengal, two social organisations, and three theatre workers. Through fieldwork and a series of workshops, the collaborators will explore how spontaneous performance can be refined to invigorate activist theatre.
For developing concepts and a treatment for a dance video by a contemporary choreographer and a filmmaker. They will examine the architecture of two stone quarries as possible venues for video-recording dance sequences, generate additional images using computer animation techniques, and experiment with grafting these onto the on-site sequences.
For research towards an annotation of hitherto undisclosed material on Indian cinema, including government records, parliamentary debates, interviews, memoranda submitted by trade bodies, and reports of film inquiry committees. The project will highlight the hidden discourses that influence the making of Indian cinema.
For research towards developing curricula, teaching aids and reference materials for Mayurbhanj Chhau. Teachers, dancers, musicians and designers will come together for practical sessions to help systematise the expressive components of this dance form.
