Thursday, December 19, 2019

Feel and Trek: a story told through FuittFuitt




“Repetition is not repetition…the same action makes you feel completely different by the end”- Pina Bausch (27 July 1940- 30 June 2009)
On the 14th of November 2019, Compagnie 7273 comprising Laurence Yadi and Nicolas Cantillon performed at the Odd Bird Theatre, New Delhi. An event that was part of Indent Symposium: The Body and the Performative, supported by the Pro-Helvia Swiss Council was part of the group’s India tour. The other places they performed at include Kolkata and Kathmandu. What was introduced through a 40 minutes solo piece was a mode of dance that the duo calls the Multi-style Fuitt-Fuitt. It is an original art form that the duo has created through collaborative research and association since 2003. It is based on the elements of Maqam in Arabic music. Simply put, it means ‘in between’ two notes. It is a quarter-tone.
I got an opportunity to converse with the artists. I asked them a couple of questions to learn a about this unique dance technique –‘Fuitt-Fuitt’.


Photo Credit: Gregory Batardon 
The Artists interpret:
What does Fuitt-fuitt mean?
It just means a little bit of nothing. It is in between of notes and rhythm. It is based on Maqam; an Arabic musical component which is also there in Indian Classical music. It refers to the quarter tones. In a musical piece how one note ends here and there is the explanation of this in-between element that yearns to find the connection with the rhythm and groove. The style has developed from former dancing experience of Ballet jazz and experimentation with classical, Middle Eastern rhythm, Bollywood choreographic moves, dancing style of Uday Shankar as well as Hollywood ethnic style. It is like cooking with many styles that have influenced the formation of multi-style fuitt-fuitt.
 How is it different when performing as a group as opposed to doing a solo act?
In Fuitt-fuitt, all dancers dance the same thing. However, each personality relates to the groove of music differently. Usually there is a team of 10 dancers but when we travel, we come together for a three months tour. In a group one needs to be more attentive to what is around; alone there is more freedom. When doing a solo piece, one needs to carry everything by oneself. Nothing can be lost on stage. However, depending on the place and the stage, the choreography finds a new life and expression.

How would you describe this piece?
In Fuitt-fuitt, one needs to flow like water and take on any form. It has to be very organic and the movement is millimeter by millimeter. This however was special and a very intense piece. Our creative process with the musician Maurice Louca (Cairo) was for a period of three months. We spoke together and discovered that the principal movement of this piece would be trekking. We got to the idea within a week but the practice was physically demanding and it was quite hard during the creation period. Infact, I came back from Kathmandu little before the performance. I could hardly feel my body anymore but it brought out another kind of energy. It felt good. This piece premiered in Geneva in 2017.

Photo Credit: Mehdi Benkler Laurenceyadi

Discovering the body in movement:
A woman clad in black attire began rapid, continuous vibrations that were made visible through foot, leg, chest and shoulder movements. It slowly transpired as the energy of the entire body going back and forth, sliding, bending, extending, containing but never once stopping. Myriad emotions came to the surface. All through the performance, resilience, inner strength, pain, fleeting moments of joy, dream and processes of nurturing became prominent. It seemed like a journey of discovery, acceptance, endurance and curiosity. During interview, I found out that the movement was meant to depict trekking through distant landscapes, storybooks, photographs, art worlds and experiences. The body in movement was the vehicle that enabled all these explorations. The very organic aspect brought forth different levels of trance and hypnotism in the atmosphere. The dominant sounds in music were jingle of the triangle, a feeling of the sound of smallest balls of ‘ghungroo’ used in Kathak dance, mild to medium to bold percussion sounds and occasional guitar strums to let the gravity take a backseat. It certainly felt like the rhythm and the movement was engaged in an intimate interaction allowing the body to continue its wandering.

Photo Credit: Gregory Batardon
The duo has published a book that talks about the multi-styles of Fuitt-fuitt in 2014. They have won many awards for dance and choreography. Compagnie 7273 held a workshop on Saturday, 16th November at Studio 155, Gurgaon from 10 am to 1 pm.




Friday, June 20, 2014

A Little something for you

My Ukulele scores shy away from your mocha embrace,
My tulip impressions breathe vigorously when you hum 'flight of the bumblebee'.

The bluemoon flashes its cunning shadows,
But Melonpies and Walnut Quiches help maintain my calm.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Rome of the East



They were talking about Boureé the other day.
Yes! The French dance. Notice the elements of Spirituality, Somberness and Spaß?
Quintessentially, that is Baroque (ian) Bach.

The Composer depicts diversity.
The fact thrills me more as I stare at the canvas.
The Social canvas that portrays these transactions and disseminations, ordered around the motion of Identity even today.

‘Rome of the East’, I feel blessed to be your companion at the moment.
The trial of learning and unlearning is a daily chore.
Amidst such trials, absentmindedly, we reach the shore.

The Birthday Song!



As he strolled along the meandering curves,

The night sky greeted him with a loving lullaby.

The moonbeams put together a rhythmic exuberance.

The sparkling stars inscribed new dreams for him.

The silent sea gazed on, innumerable philosophies played on his mind.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Favorite flavour


Someone stole my favourite flavour and lurked away deep beneath the sea.
He even allowed himself the liberty to devour the daisies and the bright morning breeze.
But little did he figure out the perplexed Rover whose White boat he deserted. 
Along came the Robin. He crooned and cajoled her lest she fell into a slumber.
 

The Rover sailed away to a fascinating brook.
The mellow shadows and streaks of moonbeams set her free. 
Old flavours, accompanied by new records and Polka fancies swayed her. 
All she could think of was piecing together her broken thoughts and re-inventing her favourite flavour.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

LaElLa



She walked in, longing for a tranquil moment.
La lluvia played with her thoughts, leading her to phases of glory and torment.
Characters flew out of those fantasy books, embraced her into their world.

She walked in, longing for a tranquil moment.
El Pájaro took her by surprise, introduced her to objects of affection and a series of omens.
A formless blurry image gave her magic cinnamon tarts, brought her to a small cottage.

She walked in, longing for a tranquil moment.
La Guitarra strummed out a dark melody, leaving her low yet content.
Life made sense now. She was prepared for the stage.

Friday, February 21, 2014

The Ocean Cat


Felinemar sees the world through his blue lens.
His whiskeyed whiskers embrace silence.
He drowns into nicotine nights and 'Pulp Fiction'.
This Lady-charmer is all wit and mambo.