The Official Community Of Nitin Sawhney

Jahnavi:

Just wondering what was happening with it? Has it been started yet or still in the planning stages?

Just wondering how many people saw this, and what they thought of it.

I wasn't altogether sure what to expect - but I really enjoyed it .The music was lovely and so was the dancing.  It didn't bother me that some of it was in Hindi/Sanskrit, in fact I was surprised that some was in English. Having lived in multilingual countries, I don't really expect to understand everything word for word.  Although I thought that some of Draupadi's English lines were a little weak.

I was also able to keep up with most of it- having done some reading from Wikipedia and also talked to a lecturer at work.  The hardest bit was working out where the story started - but I even felt I sorted that out after re-reading the programme. Anyway I'd recommend anyone who has the chance to go and see it.  It is on tour on other parts of the Uk later this year.

Rosemary

Thanks for the review Rosemary. Wish I could see it!

Having lived in multilingual countries, I don't really expect to understand everything word for word.

I hear you on that one. One of the best productions I've ever seen of Hamlet was in Danish, a language of which I don't speak a word.

Beverly 

Beverly:

I hear you on that one. One of the best productions I've ever seen of Hamlet was in Danish, a language of which I don't speak a word.

Beverly 

i have seen a couple plays in english and still haven't understood  a word of what was going on.  Now if someone asks me to go i'm like "AHHHHH! (okay)"

Beverly:

I hear you on that one. One of the best productions I've ever seen of Hamlet was in Danish, a language of which I don't speak a word.

Beverly 

i have seen a couple plays in english and still haven't understood  a word of what was going on.  Now if someone asks me to go i'm like "AHHHHH! (okay)"

the same goes for opera Beverly, if you ask me. Even when it's in English I don't understand a word  Interesting stuff. Here are my thoughts..

My body has a dynamic relationship with Nitin's music and I was a tad worried it would be difficult to keep still during the performance but it was a different vibe and there were a troupe of highly talented dancers to weave the magic.

It was utterly stimulating and I wish I could see it all again. It was interesting to hear 'Koyal' again. I found the lyrics. I can't share a word for word translation as the lady who helped me is someone I love but someone I respect very much and insisting on an exact line by line meaning wasn't right. It seems it's a deep and beautiful love song about colour, music, song, openness. So, I'm thinking it was written for this piece of dance theatre. 'Koyal' accomnpanied a love colour dance between Draupadi and Arjuna. Breath-taking. I found an image which hints at the beauty of that moment

 It wasn't to do with the music but the main criticism I have was the ending of the production. It didn't end on a high and the sense of Draupadi's forgiveness was lost. The show made me feel like giving a standing ovation but the ending stopped me.

Since the star emoticons don't work I had to find some elsewhere to send you Nitin,

starrily, Rhian xx

hey everyone i found a review here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/theatre_and_dance_reviews/s/1008/1008002_mahabharata__palace.html

the person who wrote this describes a really cool show i have NO IDEA how they were "disinterested" BOOO!  wish i could see it.

I guess you can't please all the people all of the time.  As the review was written for the regional evening newspaper, it is hard to know the background of the critic.

Here http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/16659/mahabharata is a more balanced review.  Since The Stage is a professional theatre publication, I would take any views expressed more seriously.  And I think they were right about the polishing and editing.  We went to the final night when there was a question and answer session afterwards (yes, we did get to our beds afterwards), and I think part of the intention was to get feedback from the audience so they could tweak the production before it went on tour. 

Sorry you weren't able to see it Roxy - maybe one day there will be an international tour.

Rosemary

You should all take a look at this to get an idea of just how stunning a production it is....

http://www.bendowden.com/video/mahabharata.mov

Sumit 

Thank-you. Enlivens an otherwise tiring and too hot day. I have some wonderful memories of that night. anon