Milon Mela Residency

International Training and Performance Residencies

an Organic Theatre project in collaboration with
Asian Arts Agency, Tobacco Factory, Theatre Bristol, The British Grotowski Project, University of Kent
Supported by Arts Council England and Bristol City Council

The Sources Research Project - India presents

Milón Méla
The Coming Together Fair

Bristol and Canterbury, 25-31 May 2008

On the branch of a tree
A bird is eating a fruit
On a neighbouring branch
Another bird is watching it
It comes closer and closer
Till they realize that
Both of them are one and the same bird

Organic Theatre is pleased to welcome and host the remarkable Milón Méla ensemble from India in their first ever visit to the UK for an inspiring and exciting week of activities, which will be opened by a spectacular parade in Bristol City Centre and will continue with an intensive three-day workshop at the Kingswood Foundation, a day of meeting at the University of Kent, culminating in a UK performance premiere at Bristol’s Tobacco Factory.
Milón Méla – “The Coming Together Fair” - unites artists from East and West, from different religions and cultures in a harmonious spirit of collaboration through artistic practices, and below you can read more about what inspires their work and their vision. Click on the brochure (left) to find more detailed information about each event of this unique residency.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Coming Together Fair!

History

Led by director Abani Biswas, founder of The Sources Research Project (India) and former collaborator of the celebrated Polish director Jerzy Grotowski, Milón Méla gathers extraordinary artists and masters of some of the most ancient Indian performance disciplines: Baul musicians from Bengal, masters of Kalaripayattu martial art from Kerala, Chhau dancers from Bihar, Gotipua dancers from Orissa, and later Hindu-Muslim Patuas painters and storytellers and Muslim Fakir musicians; since its launch in 1986 Milón Méla has created conditions to encourage their original and creative work, as well as providing them with material resources for their daily life, and that of their families and communities.

The ensemble has its own work-centre, Theatre House – Khele Danga, in West Bengal, where they host an annual programme of residential workshops and performance events. They regularly perform at festivals in Europe, in city squares and streets, open arenas and theatres. Milón Méla also leads an intense activity of training in schools and universities, and works with various theatre groups, cultural associations, psychotherapy groups and people from different walks of life interested in their work. For more information also visit their website.

The Artists and Masters

Bauls (God’s Fools) originate from a community of wandering mystical singers that goes back to the Middle Ages. Although Hindus, they profess equality of faiths and religions and retain that Divinity has its place in the Heart of every Man. Bauls live through their music, they make their own characteristic musical instruments and are true masters of improvisation. Milón Méla Bauls have recorded for Peter Gabriel’s Real World label.

An explosion of energy and movement, daredevil somersaults and jumps, Chhau is an ancient tribal dance of Purullia (Bihar), practiced to this day by rural populations while invoking the Hindu divinity Shiva to grant them rain and abundant harvest. The Chhau dancers use beautiful masks (weighing up to 4 kilos) that represent Hindu deities, demons and tribal spirits, and enact stories of the Mahabharattha, Ramayana and Purana, the ancient sacred books of India, to the rhythmical accompaniment of pipe and drums.

Kalaripayattu is one of the most ancient martial arts of India, originating in Kerala and sometimes called “the Mother of all artistic disciplines of Southern India”. Sticks, multi-blade knives, swords, shields and fire are used in this traditional breath-taking combat.

The roots of the Gotipua dance go back to Indian Middle Ages and are linked to the ancient tradition of Devadasi (female temple dancers).Today Gotipua dancers are mainly boys between the age of 8 and 15, dressed in women’s clothes, who, using a very refined style, perform precise steps, as well as Mudra (hand gestures), eye and facial expressions, and classic Yoga postures. The soft harmony of their acrobatic movements combines with vocal and instrumental accompaniment of Paknaj percussion and Harmonium keyboards.

Residency Programme

The Parade

Sunday 25 May - At-Bristol complex (Bristol City Centre)
8.15 pm (lasting approximately 1½ hours)

Free of charge

A truly inspiring event for the bank holiday week-end, Milón Méla parade is a joyful outdoor celebration of live performance in all its forms, a spectacular musical and visual procession, dynamic and filled with energy.
The parade is led by the live acoustic music of the Baul musicians, followed by the masked Chhau with their acrobatic dances and their rhythmic drums, by the Kalaripayattu martial arts masters with their sword combats combined with whirling fires, and by the refined and harmonious Gotipua dancers. It is punctuated by additional mini-performances by each group of artists, who will surprise and amaze you with the skilful display of their art and talent.

You can follow the parade all the way through from the start, catch it and join in at any point on the route, or just watch it as a bystander – any of these, only make sure you don’t miss it!

Your pictures and comments on Milón Méla parade can be uploaded on www.myspace.com/milonmela

Event collaborator: Dan Danson

The Workshop

This intensive three-day workshop provides performers and practitioners with a personal training which improves professional skills such as physical perception, full mobilization of energy, voice and body resonators, alertness, attention and concentration.

It also offers anyone who wants to explore their creative sources (regardless of experience and background) a cultural, verbal, corporeal and emotional de-conditioning, as well as the rare chance to encounter and practice some of the most ancient and fascinating Indian performance traditions.

Each session, conducted by all the artists and masters of Milón Méla under the direction of Abani Biswas, focuses on the practice of traditional dance and martial arts disciplines, of body and voice techniques, as well as dramatic actions which help to re-balance body, mind and emotions, and at the same time put in action a process which brings every participant towards the space of intuition and creativity. Much of the work is conducted in silence, typical of teaching methods in traditional Indian arts, which works as a “diet” for the mind in order to override habits, banalities and automatisms.

To participate, no previous experience is necessary, though a good attitude towards physical work would be beneficial.
The workshop is open to 20 participants. To apply, please send us an email explaining why you’d like to attend, including a short C.V., or post a letter to Workshop with Milón Méla, 55 Union Road, Exeter, EX4 6HU.
For more information, call John on 07796 597863.

Sunday 25 May 10am-5pm
Monday 26 May 10am-7pm (Bank Holiday)
Tuesday 27 May 10am-5pm

Kingswood Foundation
Kingswood, Bristol
BS15 8DB
Just 20 minutes by bus from Bristol City Centre.

Cost. £110/£90 (participants will also receive a discount on tickets for performances at the Tobacco Factory, 29/30 May)

The Performances

Milón Méla performances are a unique opportunity to enjoy a stunning mix of live music, visual and physical performance from across India. Let yourself be enchanted by the traditional music and medieval mystic songs of the Hindu Bauls singers and musicians of West Bengal. Be mesmeraised by the acrobatic dance of the magnificent masked Chhau dancers and drummers from Bihar. Let the adrenaline flow watching the exciting sword fights of the Kalaripayattu masters from Kerala and be captivated by the refined and harmonious young Gotipua dancers from Orissa - all the Milón Méla artists join together to provide you with an exceptional and unforgettable evening!

Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Road, Bristol, BS3 1TF

Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May 2008
8pm, 1hr 15 minutes without an interval
£10/£8
Box office 0117 902 0344 or tickets@tobaccofactory.com

Milón Méla in the South East

For one day only, Wednesday 28 May, there is a an opportunity to catch up with Milón Méla in the South East, where the group will be visiting the University of Kent in Canterbury for a packed programme including a work demonstration, a taster workshop session, an encounter with the artists, a screening and an outdoor performance on campus.
The event has been produced in collaboration with Dr Giuliano Campo and The British Grotowski Project at the University of Kent. For more information please email Giuliano or call 01227 824918.

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International Training and Performance Residencies focus on the body in performance, through the crossover between traditional non-western performance practices and western contemporary approaches to performance. It aims to provide high quality multi-art form training opportunities open to all performing arts practitioners and to promote awareness of diversity and multiculturalism through artistic practices.
Conceived and organised by Organic Theatre, in collaboration with Asian Arts Agency, Tobacco Factory and Theatre Bristol, it is funded by Bristol City Council and Arts Council England South West.