LOST… in the forest!

The production was conceived, choreographed, danced and filmed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2021 and comprises of two works:

Naav Mein Nadiya – River In The Boat
&
Chhan Chhan… Chhip Chhip – Now Seen… Now Not

  • Concept, Dance and Choreography: Aditi Mangaldas 
  • Music Composition: Shubha Mudgal
  • Commissioned by: Sampradaya Dance Creations | Canada
  • Supported by: Toulmin Creatorship | Through The Center for Ballet and the Arts,
    New York University and National Sawdust Partnership | USA
    &
    Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company – The Drishtikon Dance Foundation | India  
  • Online Premiere: 2021

SYNOPSIS LOST… in the forest!

  • The deer startled!

    Two moons? Which is what?

    What is real and what is an illusion?

    Is the illusion real? A REAL illusion?

  • Ah! says the deer,

    I am lost,

    LOST… in the forest!

  • And the pilgrim on the boat? Lost?

    Am I lost? The wanderer asks.

    Lost in time or time lost in me?

    Lost in space or space lost in me?

  • River? Still? A STILL river?

    A turbulent boat, hurtling down! But to where?

    On what? Where is the water? Where is the river?

  • In the boat! The river is in the boat! Lost river, lost boat!

    Time? Space? Narratives?

    Framed? Unframed?

    Life?... Ah! Lost narratives!

  • LOST… River… Boat… Deer… Space… Time… Narratives!

    LOST… Me!

    LOST… in the forest!

And the deer, leaps across, free!

CHOREOGRAPHER’S NOTE

“Dance needs to breathe the air of the NOW. It cannot survive in a vacuum. As the Pandemic rages through the world, time and space have become amorphous. My dance and emotions too, are embroiled in this viscous amalgam of tumbling moments. 

The first work, ‘Naav Mein Nadiya - River In The Boat’ by the acclaimed poet Kunwar Narain, turns what is known and what is normal on its head. Where even darkness gets lost in darkness! Where the river finds itself in the boat!

The full celebration of life is currently denied to humanity, but hope remains our anchor. The second work embodies the deer as the protagonist. Startled and joyous at the sight of the two moons, the real and the reflected, the deer takes the viewer on a journey of wonder. The celebrated poet Bharatendu Harishchandra’s poem, has helped me to get immersed in the deer-spirit and given me the courage to say, tomorrow is another day.” – Aditi Mangaldas

CREDIT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  • Concept, Dance and Choreography: Aditi Mangaldas 
  • Music: 
  • Naav Mein Nadiya (River In The Boat)

    Composition and Vocals: Shubha Mudgal

    Tabla: Aneesh Pradhan

    Lyrics: Naav Mein Nadiya by Kunwar Narain

    Audio Mixing and Mastering: Nitin Joshi

    Our gratitude to Apurva Narain for kindly permitting the use of his father’s poem for the production.

  • Chhan Chhan… Chhip Chhip (Now Seen… Now Not) 

    Song Composition: Shubha Mudgal

    Vocals: Faraz Ahmed

    Pakhawaj and Manjeera: Ashish Gangani

    Tabla and Padhant: Mohit Gangani

    Sarangi: Kamaal Ahmed

    Lyrics: Bharatendu Harishchandra

    Audio Mixing and Mastering: Deepak Samson

  • Filming and Editing: Nirvair Singh and Shiven Sangwan
  • Light Design / For both works: Govind Singh Yadav 
  • Special thanks: Gaurav Bhatti for his creative inputs and help in the making of this production 
  • Production:Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company – The Drishtikon Dance Foundation