Did you ever want to learn more about Indian mythology? What about experiencing something novel and unusual in Australian dance? Yes? Then maybe 'Mens Rea: The Shifter’s Intent' is for you.
The show's creator and performer Raghav Handa has an extensive history in performing arts, appearing in dance performances around the country. Here, he pens an open letter about his past, and what can be expected in 'Mens Rea'.
© Deakin motion.lab & Paul Matthews“I didn’t grow up wanting to be a dancer. It wasn’t until the end of high school that I got involved in musical productions. My first stage role was as Chino in West Side Story – and while I couldn’t sing, I became captivated by dance. And not just any dance – it was the freedom of expression, the fluidity, the “rulelessness” of contemporary dance that drew me in – if you can dream it and your body can respond to it, then there is home for you in contemporary dance!
I was always pretty blasé about my Indian heritage but in recent years I’ve begun to notice how the traditional movement and stories from my childhood have started to influence my course as a contemporary dancer. I’ve spent many years working with some of Australia’s best contemporary choreographers and while on the face of it there is little that links indigenous Australian and native Indian stories and movement, scratch the surface a little and you may be surprised by what you discover!
I was always pretty blasé about my Indian heritage but in recent years I’ve begun to notice how the traditional movement and stories from my childhood have started to influence my course as a contemporary dancer. I’ve spent many years working with some of Australia’s best contemporary choreographers and while on the face of it there is little that links indigenous Australian and native Indian stories and movement, scratch the surface a little and you may be surprised by what you discover!
© Deakin motion.lab & Paul Matthews'Mens Rea: The Shifter’s Intent' has obvious Indian influences – the narrative and Kathak patterns to name a few – but it was inspired by the stories of “shape-shifting” told to me by Aboriginal elders when I started to develop this work 3 years ago and I hope that influence comes through in the final work. Merge all of this with same amazing work by the motion capture team at Deakin University and I hope we have created something really remarkable!"
- Raghav Handa
- Raghav Handa
'Mens Rea' performs Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts 8-9 July.
