Residencies and Pedagogical Work / Workshops at Adishakti
 
 
 
Due to its research into performance techniques over the last twenty years, Adishakti has evolved a pedagogical system of performance training, which a large number of performers from elsewhere seek to avail of. As Adishakti now has the infrastructure it can house such performers as well.

Adishakti also offers its space to artists from all parts of the world to come to live on its campus either to do their own work or to train with Adishakti. Adishakti also hosts Workshops by other organizations.
Some of the residencies, workshops and training programs in 2004-2005 were:
  • Adishakti's month long Winter Workshop in Decmber 2003 –January 2004, between a Noh performer from Japan, a Koodiyattam performer from Kerala and Adishakti, with observers and participants from different parts of the world and from different disciplines was the outcome of a long investigation by Adishakti into Breath { begun in 1987} as an instrument of performance expression. It was also the result of earlier explorations investigating the impact of inter regional, inter cultural and interdisciplinary dialogues in performance and was Adishakti's first such event on an international and national scale. It opened up further vistas into the following areas for all the collaborators involved:
  1. Performance techniques. The investigation in the use of breath, voice, body movements, and music and of such components as narrative and poetry in Noh, Koodiyattam, Ottan Tullal and Adishakti's practice clearly stimulated all the collaborators who agreed that this sharing in technique and philosophy was going to contribute to their own performance praxis .

  2. The nature of traditional art practice in Asia, {as both Noh and Koodiyattam are traditional forms } the need for it to evolve, its dialogue with the contemporary,{ Noh and Koodiyattam with Adishakti} and the need for greater self awareness in traditional performance practice, the need for a hybrid aesthetic in Asian Arts and the implications of globalization for all aesthetics.

  3. The impact of an interdisciplinary input into the arts and the possibilities and advantages of admitting such inputs. Indeed the presence and contributions of persons from a variety of field besides those of the arts made this investigation sharper.

  • Chandasasthra expert Mr.Sampadananda Mishra in collaboration with Adishakti trained the Tappattam performers. 7th – 18th June 2004

  • Thappattam artists from Thanjavur-- Senior Mathiazhagan & Junior Mathiazhagan in collaboration with Adishakti, trained Pondicherry University Students – organized as Kalam from 4th to 18th June 04

  • One day workshop for forty-five Juvenile Remand Home students in Pondicherry, conducted by the Adishakti team in collaboration with Rotary club of Pondicherry, on 23rd June 04

  • Theatre Workshop by Hector Arisgizabal from Columbia for Adishakti and for performers from Auroville 17th July 2004

  • Adishakti conducted a workshop for school children from Goa 25th July 2004

  • Marco Lully and Adishakti conducted a workshop on Commedia dell' Arte and on Breath Technique respectively. This was for seven days at Adishakti, for twenty actors from all over India and was part of the Prithvi Theatre Festival. From 7th November to 14th November.

  • Twenty one day Residency for two contemporary French dancers Mr.Michel Kelemenis and Ms.Caroline and one Indian dancer Mr.Abilash from Bangalore. New work was created in this period and performed at Adishakti before a major world tour. The French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise du Pondicherry supported the Residency. December 20th 2004 to 10th January 2005.
Adishakti's Workshop Courses

 
A : Learning of Craft [Beginner's Course]
B : Extension of the above in Contemporary practice [Advanced Course]
C : Regimen of Traditional Healing for the Actor { at advance notice}

For University and college students Adishakti normally offers only the course titled A.

A.Learning of Craft—Introduction:

 
1. 6.30 -7.00am: Yoga Asanas & Pranayama
2. 7.00-7.30 am: Eye Exercises for Expression
3. 7.30 – 8.00 am: Basics on Voice Work
4. 8.00 – 8.30: Patterns of Breath for Expression

BREAK 8.30 – 9.30 am

5. 9.30 – 10.30 am Learning Rhythms on Percussion
6. 10.30 – 11.30 Session on craft of story telling

BREAK 11.30 – 12.00 noon

7. 12.00 – 1.00 pm Shadow Puppetry and making of leather puppets

BREAK 1pm - 4pm

8. 5.00 – 6.00 pm Martial Arts of Kalaripayattu
9. 6.30 – 7.00 pm Basic movements and stances of South Indian Dance
B. Extension of the above in Contemporary practice:

Schedule from 6.30am to 8.30am would hold as in session A.

1. 9.30 – 10.30 am: Exploring Breath: breath and its expression through face, body, voice and text.

BREAK 10.30 – 11.00 am

2. 11.00- 12.00 noon: Rhythm and the Actor:
3. 12.00 - 1.00 pm: Shadow Puppet Theatre and making leather Puppets

BREAK 1.00 – 4.00 pm

4. 5.00 – 7.00 pm: Kalaripayattu and the Seven Centres in the Body
C: Regimen of Traditional Healing for the Actor:

 
Treatment provided by Dr. Balu Ayurvedic physician at the Adishakti Campus
 
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