December 2017 (Drama Centre, Singapore)
December 2017 (Fang Mae Khong International Dance Festival in Vientiane, Laos)

Beyond the darkness is inspired by an earlier work Anwesha-The Quest (2012), an unsettling physical dialogue that compelled the viewer to probe the traditional narrative of Ramayana’s Sita. The upcoming work is a continuation of Maya’s journey of social exploration.

This time the production addresses the relevant yet less discussed subject of mental well-being, delving into the ‘urban-ness’ of society and its intangible pressures that result in a state of reduced mental wellness. Sita continues to be a medium for exploration and is used to draw parallels to the many Sita’s, regardless of gender, who are hurt and suppressed in our society today.

Kavitha’s (artistic director of Maya Dance Theatre) process is not a deliberate pursuit of an existing concept or belief but rather an organic sequence of observations that lead to the birth of an idea and its development. For this production, her qualification as an occupational therapist played a pivotal role. During her daily interactions, she realized how words like ‘stress’ and ‘loneliness’ were strewn frivolously in conversations and yet not taken seriously until consequences like mental illness or suicide were encountered. Media stories on such dire aftermaths only confirmed what she was observing first-hand leading to the development of ‘beyond the darkness’.

The work aims at bringing attention to and creating awareness around the subject, Mental Well-being, while reducing stigma.

Cast

Artistic Direction, concept and choreography: Kavitha Krishnan
Producer: Imran Manaff
Co-choreography: Danang Pamungkas (Solo, Indonesia) and Shahrin Johry
Performers: Shahrin Johry, Bernice Lee, Eva Tey, Peni Candrarini (Solo, Indonesia), Subastian Tan, Danang Pamungkas (Solo, Indonesia)
Music composition: Dr. Rahayu Suppangah (Solo, Indonesia) and Kailin Yong
Vocalist: Peni Candrarini
Music Collaborators: Alex Dea (USA/ Indonesia), Boby Budi Santosa (Solo, Indonesia) and Noella Yan (Singapore/ Australia)
Dramaturgy: Jeremiah Choy
Visual Artist: Muhammad Izdi
Lighting Designer: Alberta Wileo

Video Trailer

Media

Five Lines (Asia): https://www.fivelines.asia/anwesha-beyond-the-darkness-review/
The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/battling-darkness-in-the-mind : https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/glimmers-of-hope-in-the-darkness
Bakchormeeboy.com: https://bakchormeeboy.com/2018/08/18/review-pancha-flowers-dont-bloom-all-the-time-by-maya-dance-theatre/
Arts Equator: https://artsequator.com/anwesha-beyond-darkness-2/