Title: Tanashah
Tanashah, a solo by Navtej Johar, explores extremes! Based on the jail diaries of Bhagat Singh, particularly his essay titled, “Why I am an Atheist”, it examines the resolve of a young man as he readies to walk to the gallows with searing clarity, un-sublimated by religious doctrine or idealist philosophy. The impending moment of his youthful death almost seems to embolden him, propel him unto that final moment with a fierce veracity.
Alongside Bhagat Singh’s narrative, Navtej also touches upon his own journey of becoming a Bharatanatyam dancer. He juxtaposes the amorous singing of the padam along with Waris Shah’s Heer; twining the powerful ardour of a revolutionary with the unbridled desire of an impassioned lover—dark, masculine and uncompromising.
With the dream of unequivocal freedom and unbridled consummation playing at its core; Tanashah aims to bring both courage and desire on the same register.
The text of the piece is primarily in Punjabi along with some English.
Credits:
Concept, choreography and performance: Navtej Johar
Live Sound Design: Anirbaan Ghosh
Vocals: Madan Gopal Singh and Venkateshwaran Kuppuswamy
Lighting by Ismail
Links to interviews, reviews and responses:
Choreographer Navtej Johar’s ‘Tanashah’ reflects on performance and politics
Tanashah was commissioned by the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF), and premiered at Goa, on Dec 16th, 2018
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