SELECT WORKS
MAKTUB: ASHES TO ALCHEMY
Vidya Kotamraju’s Maktub is a compelling journey that melds Bharata Natyam with an immersive music score and innovative storytelling inspired by The Alchemist. Vidya's artistry and immersive audience engagement create a profound experience, urging introspection and empathy.
Galen Olstead, Executive Director, Key City Theatre.
Performance History:
March 8, 2024; Echo Her Series, Key City Theatre, Cranbrook, Canada.
Jul 12 and 13, 2024: Thousand Faces Festival, Edmonton, Canada.
Duration:
55 minutes (full length) or 30 minutes (mixed program).
Description:
“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” - Paulo Coelho
Inspired by Paulo Coelho's novel, "The Alchemist", Maktub: Ashes To Alchemy is a lush and deeply evocative solo dance performance and an eternal statement to the transforming power of living in the singular pursuit of one's individual dreams.
Choreographer Vidya Kotamraju blends dance, global music, NAVTAR®, voice and technology to present the gripping tale of the inner human journey juxtaposed against the backdrop of the current refugee crisis. Uplifting and reflective, the performance experiments with multi-medium storytelling to depict the protagonist's journey in discovering one's purpose in life. In current times of turbulence, Maktub aims to bring hope and healing, through the universal language of dance.
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Dance and Choreography:
Vidya Kotamraju.
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Poster:
Stephanie Cragg (Photography), Vidya Kotamraju (Design).
Collaborators:
Vishnu R. (Music Composition and Direction, NAVTAR® and Voice), Jo Hirabayashi (Teaser Videography), Victoria Bell (Residency Lighting Designer), Nova Bhattacharya (Outside Eye), Bijayani Satpathy (Residency Choreography Mentor).​
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Community Engagement: As an integral component of the performance, we invite members of the audience to actively participate in conveying their thoughts and emotions about the "Refugee Crisis." This engagement seeks to create a collective sense of empathy and awareness among diverse individuals.​
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The support of The Canada Council For The Arts (Ottawa), Sampradaya Dance Creations (Toronto), The Dance Center (Vancouver) and The Dance West Network (Vancouver) is gratefully acknowledged.
