Page 33 - Year in Review 2018/2019

THERUKKOOTHU — TAMIL THEATRE WORKSHOP WITH
BHASKAR’S ARTS ACADEMY

The Institute of Southeast Asian Arts
(ISEAA) invited Bhaskar’s Arts Academy
(BAA) to present a collaborative workshop
on 10 October 2018. It focused on the
quintessential art of Therukkoothu (Tamil
street theatre), a popular Dravidian folk art
form that originated in the Tamil Nadu state
of India and Tamil-speaking regions of
Sri Lanka. Over the centuries, the colourful
art form has found its way through Indian
diaspora in several Southeast Asian
countries and continued to flourish in
Malaysia and Singapore.

The programme began with a 30-minute
performance by the artistes of BAA
who enacted an episode in the story of
Draupadi Vastraharan (The Disrobing of
Draupadi) from the legendary Mahabharata.
To illustrate the profound influences of
traditional Indian theatre in Southeast
Asia and Singapore, the performance
was followed by a lecture on the historical development of Therukkoothu. It examined the continued
relevance of BAA’s work since the late KP Bhaskar first stepped foot on the shores of Singapore in the
early 1950s.

Audience members were invited to enact the roles in a typical Therukkoothu performance, focusing on
critical elements such as the Ganapathi Vandhanam (opening sequence), the presence and role of the
Kattiyakaran (narrator), and the concept of Pinpattu (chorus singing). Over 70 students from the NAFA
Theatre Programme attended the event, which concluded with a Q&A discussion with the artistes
including Santha Bhaskar, Cultural Medallion recipient (1990) for dance in Singapore.

FLAGSHIP GENIUS 80 FEATURING ANGKOR WAT III

Every year since 2016, the ISEAA has partnered with the academic schools at NAFA for a collaborative
project that uses Angkor Wat as a creative stimulus. In the final instalment of this three-year commitment,
over 160 students from various disciplines attended and immersed themselves in a series of lectures and
Cambodian dance workshops. They were involved in researching the history, symbolism and features of
this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The students assimilated ideas through sight observations and newly
acquired knowledge in Khmer culture and mythologies located in Angkor Wat. The interesting works
embodied a collection of history and insights through their unique narratives and contemporary design
concepts. Each piece portrayed the learning
journeys of the students as they grasped the
symbolism of Angkor Wat and what it offers,
beyond its iconic magnificence and heritage.

This double bill also featured NAFA’s
annual instalment of Flagship Genius,
which incorporated a uniquely monumental
installation of 80 prints from the alumni and
teaching faculty at NAFA. This exceptional
print installation was commissioned at the
end of 2018 for the book launch and finale
celebrations of NAFA’s 80 anniversary.
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