|
Kathakali Opus IX, formerly the Kathakali Institute, The Mahapooram Ensemble, and Danse Kalashas are member companies of The Galileo Spaces, Centre de création pour musique et danse. On the occasion of the tour with guest-artist K. Gopalakrishnan, in 1981, The Institute was the first organization to bring Kathakali to the Canadian public, with its presentation of Duryodhana Wadham. Since then, it remains the sole driving force behind the promotion and artistic development of this most unusual art-form in the country. While bringing Kathakali to the Montreal audience, the Institute has broadened and strengthened the Kathakali repertoire. Kathakali Opus IX's repertoire includes classical pieces reinterpreted in the traditional style and revitalised, and a wholly original set of dance works like The Iliad, and the Kathakali
version of Tagore's Gitanjali, Origines.
 NEW REPERTOIRE From Gitanjali, by Rabindranath Tagore. Danced and choreographed by Richard Tremblay. Chenda (Kathakali drum) Music arranged, composed and played by Bruno Paquet Song for soprano voice.
The Iliad (1988-91)
Ulysses / The Odyssey (1992)
Gitopadesham Kalyana Saugandhigam Kalakeyawattham Duryodhanawattham
|
K. Gopalakrishnan in Montreal
Invited by Richard Tremblay, in 1981, K. Gopalakrishnan participated in several conferences and demonstrations, notably in Montreal Place des Arts series "L'Art du Mouvement" hosted by Henri Barras. During his four month stay in Montreal with L'Institut de Kathakali, and besides classes and workshops, he participated in a tour of Canada appearing with Richard Tremblay in performances of the following Kathakali Dance Theatre works: Santana Gopala, Kalyana Saugandhigham, Duryodhanawattam, and Gitopadesham. K. Gopalakrishnan also danced in The Iliad (1988), playing the part of Achilles. On a visit to Mexico, in 2002, K. Gopalakrishnan returned to Montreal for a brief appearance in a solo performance and a workshop with a theatre group.