Through my eyes
In October 2021, Maya Dance Theatre presented PANCHA-Less & Lesser, the fourth instalment to their PANCHA series. Less & Lesser also marks their first physical ‘live’ performance since the Covid 10 pandemic engulfed the whole world!
Presented over two weeks, Less & Lesser tackles issues of growing older in a society that celebrates youth!
In doing so, we invited two seniors to be part of the project.
Two everyday seniors with no artistic or performance experience were invited by Maya Dance Theatre to work with us to bring their voice and the voices of seniors to stage.
This is their story as they journey with us in Less & Lesser.
(This digital exhibition features both audio and video interviews.)
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Shaul Hamid Shabirah … Daughter … Sister … Wife …. Single mother to three children … Grandmother to two grandchildren … Career woman … Friend …
Shabirah (or Auntie Shab as she is affectionately known to the cast) journeyed with Maya Dance Theatre on an eight-month process for Less & Lesser. Commencing in March 2021, Shabirah would have to under performative training prior her performance. Hence, she had to come to the studio to work with her collaborators, Eva Tey, and musician/ composer, Raghavendran Rajasekaran. The rehearsal process took place in Apsara Asia’s studio and continued during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Entitled, A DYING FLOWER, the production was a contemporary dance theatre work and features the personal stories of Shabirah; drawing inspiration from her life’s journey and her relationship with her late mother.
PANCHA-Less & Lesser was the first physical production for Maya Dance Theatre since Covid 19. This also marks the first production for Shabirah. A Dying Flower (presented as part of Season for Death; coupled with D72) was presented from 14-16 October 2021 at Aliwal Arts Centre. The performance also marked the debut of Shabirah as she took the stage for the first time to 03 ‘sold-out’shows!
Even though Shabirah is of a young age of seventy four, with no experience in performing, it did not stop her from being part of Less & Lesser. She cherishes her time on stage and still talks about it to her friends and family.
When asked for her advice to give any senior who wants to try anything new for the first time, this was her thoughts.
Photos by Yeo Siak Ling and Maya Dance Theatre.
Look out for the second part of our Through the Eyes series, when we meet another senior who was also a part of PANCHA-Less & Lesser
PANCHA-Less & Lesser is now available online. Click below to view producti
Photos from A Dying Flower
