Music, when blended with dance, defies boundaries and binds people. When it iseastern tradition of art meeting the West, it’s sheer magic. Alliance Francaise organised VIA — an eventfeaturing music, dance, Chinese pole and kalapariyattu – all blended together on one stage for a fantastic experience last weekend.

Artistes at the event   | Photo Credit: By arrangement

Organised at Phoenix Arena, the performance featured live instruments of mud, bamboo and other material. Jerome Cury from France headed the percussions department by taking the audience to a rhythm fiesta featuring Gongs and Sanzas thereby adding a meditative dimension. He ensured that his Waterphone, an un-tuned percussion that and can be drummed or bowedcreated music in an extremely aesthetic sense. Ably accompanied by vocalist Fatima El Hassouni’s chants, the fest just got better. Fatima’s vocals contained an meditative expressionstranscended boundaries of language and region.

Artistes at the event   | Photo Credit: By arrangement

The best came with Ode Rosett’s aerial contortions on the Chinese Pole to these ambient sounds of music. Her control over the gravity-defying postures and acrobatic movements were swift. With an air of calmness and tremendous determination, she was like a shining star in the middle of the sky. A regional flavour was added Kozhikode-based artistes Kishor and Subheesh PB performed rhythmic Kalapariyattu with great ease and perfection.Ode had learnt Kalaripayattu in Kerala and continued visiting the institute to hone her skills. She also taught the members of the Kalari how to use the Chinese Pole.

The entire team brought the best of their own music and dance to the performance . The audience was spellbound watching this display which transformed the entire urbane surroundings of Phoenix arena to a vividly imaginative plane of arts.

Another amazing aspect of the show was the minimalistic approach towards stage design. The artistes wear earthy colours like brown and black which speaks much about their mooring. More than the art extravaganza, the universal aspect of living and infusing art into daily life was magnificently presented, reinforcing the importance of being fit and attaining a balance in life!