Ramayana in steps and bhajans

CHENNAI: The recipient of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2007), Sheejith Krishna’s journey in art began when he was eight. Since then, he has donned the roles of a student, a teacher, a performer and a choreographer — thanks to his artistically inclined parents and his quest for knowledge in art, which led him to Kalakshethra. We talk to Sheejith, who also happens to be the founder of Sahrdaya Foundation Centre for the Arts and Repertory Company, ahead of his dance drama production Ram Katha that will be staged as part of The School KFI’s fundraiser, ‘Satkriya’.

If you are familiar with Sheejith’s Ram Katha (2016) — an ensemble adaptation of the Ramayana, you might remember that it was performed by only two artistes, donning different roles. But the recent production will comprise 35 members. Calling it a ‘premiere’ in Chennai, Sheejith says, “There is nothing about the Ramayana that’s new to the public. But the speciality in this production is that we will present the Ram Katha through bhajans from Ramcharitmanas and not Carnatic music.”

He initially did this as an individual production with another dancer. “We used to keep changing characters and were also narrators. But, in this, all characters are played by different people,” he shares.
The 150-minute production will narrate the story of Rama and other incidents from the Ramayana. “It might look like a long production, but we need the time to connect the story — including Rama coming back from Lanka for the Pattabishekam,” he says.

After studying, teaching and performing in Kalakshetra for 21 years, stepping out of it and going in search of other opportunities felt ‘weird’ for Sheejith but, he says that he continues to live in the same schedule as he used to in the foundation. “Since I head a foundation now, I get more time for my creativity. Kalakshetra has taught me a lot and I constantly try to create that sort of an atmosphere while I teach,” he shares.

His first performance with Kalakshethra was during the second year of the diploma course. “It was a dance drama production and we were given the opportunity to share stage with senior artistes of the foundation. But, in the first year of the course, I was given a smaller part on stage, which by itself was a great stage experience. Today when I choreograph, I know how important the basics have been in shaping me,” opines the performer famous for portraying the roles of both Rama and Ravana in Rukmini Devi’s legendary six-part Ramayana.

He continues to produce original works while upholding classical standards. Ask him about his favourite production and he says, “Everything! Every production has its own meaning and it makes me look at life from a different perspective. But, the ones that are not an adaptation of an Indian epic challenges me, as the audience have a certain expectation,” he says citing his original production, Don Quixote.
Finding beauty in art, through the process, music and movements, is how Sheejith describes his art journey. “I am working five hours a day for this production. New productions will be flagged off afterwards,” he adds.

Sheejith Krishna will perform as part of the The School KFI’s fundraiser, ‘Satkriya’, on October 28, from 6 pm at Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet.For details, visit: http://theschoolkfi.org/relocation/satkriya