Black Box 3 (2018)

As part of inDANCE's ongoing Box series, where Hari Krishnan explores ‘outside-the-box’ politics, turning Indian dance on its head, Black Box 3 is a neo-classical Bharatanatyam solo, specially created for Jacob’s Pillow the Inside/OutPerformance Series. The solo challenges perceived notions of migrant groups to remain in their arbitrary boxes, limiting their ability to assimilate, integrate and truly express themselves. The deconstructed solo has all of the elements of Bharatanatyam technique and the choreography situates Indian classical dance in non-conventional ways, rupturing some of the outdated clichés and stereotypes around the exoticism of the Indian classical dancing body.

The technique itself has an inherently architectural quality, where the focus is on symmetry, angularity and precision. The dancer is essentially in an upright standing position, the default position of the Bharatanatyam dancer is that of a grounded half siting position. The physicality in Bharatanatyam is expansive and incorporates a diverse array of torso permutations, knee squats and arm extensions. This solo showcases the sheer energy and intensity of neo-classical Bharatanatyam technique and the multiple ways the dancer charges into space. 

June, 2018, Inside/Out Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Berkshires, USA

Choreography/Rhythmic composition and recitation: Hari Krishnan

Dancer: Vinod Para

Percussion: Ed Hanley

Costume Design: Rex (Rajavairan Rajendran)

Premiere (Box): Joyce SoHo, New York City, April 2009