BHIMA, `the terrible,' brutal, truculent; mythically, the son of Vayu, the God of the Wind. From our great epics emerge mind-boggling characters yet we're still enthralled by Speilberg's beasts. Predictably, city folks are lapping up creatures in The Lost World, turning a blind eye to performers like Kalamandalam Parameshwaran, who remind us that if the West can stir the imagination with technology, the East fills the senses with perfected art.In a recent performance of Ottan Tullal, a narrative dance form originally prevalent in the temples of Kerala, a mere handful turned up at the Experimental Theatre. Those who did were treated to a superb introduction to an art form developed by the poet Kunchan Nambiar who lived in the 18th century. In the piece presented, an encounter between Bhima and Hanuman ensues in which the latter transforms himself into a very old monkey in order to test Bhima's prodigious strength. Although the episode was replete with humour, much of it escaped those who did not understand the language. Later, I was told that there were jokes like Hanuman telling Bhima, "Has your valour gone on a pilgrimage? Better that you go to Benaras and take sanyas!" A unique aspect of this form is that while narrating stories from the epics, social issues are highlighted in satirical ways. "Five husbands for one women is never a good idea," the performer sings, accompanied by musicians. While the mudras are similar to Kathakali, the facial expressions stole the show. Poetic dramas allow so much room for expression; perhaps we will see a revival in contemporary theatre. In Britain, dramatists like Glyn Maxwell are already staging full-length verse-plays.Read aloudThe number of play readings may soon exceed performances, the way things are going. The Play Reading Forum, which presented Asif Currimbhoy's Goa recently, is very active and so is Theatre Positive (at Prithvi). And language is no bar at the latter. There's been only one English reading, Ashes and Roses by Shivkumar Subhramanyam. The response, according to co-ordinator Ramanathan, has been gratifying and he wonders if `sick readings' can become a viable medium of the future. A thought worth considering in a milieu dogged by financial constraints.However, to my mind, readings, no matter how effective can at best introduce a play especially one that is `wordy' and tells a story. But if we go by Ionesco's dictum that theatre cannot be epic because it is dramatic, then the play reading as a medium is limited.At times, it may even do injustice to a piece and playwrights must choose wisely. Many are anxious to have their play read; to have it staged may take forever! Theatre Positive will continue to serve aspiring playwrights with readings on the first Monday of every month. If you've never heard of a Gujarati musical, Medena by Bharat Naik, scheduled for October, it may be a good idea to visit.Brit bazaarIn this 50th year celebrations, the Brits deem it fit to transport 300 artifacts from the British Museum onto Indian soil, the largest ever mounted outside their shores. In this age of AVs and CDs, this kind of event is surely an exception and an unprecedented feat in organisation.The riches of ancient culture will be open to the public and programmes in areas such as conservation and museum management will be held. Other events planned include sculpting, clay modelling for children and a Greek play reading. The project officers are still looking for unusual ideas - a big problem in this city, where the same old faces are making the rounds.The last wordSaid Ms Vulture to Ms Culture, a frown on her face:Every Tom, Dick, Harry has a mobile phone,Why don't they leave those damn instruments at home?Anupam Kher has blown his fuse,During performances, they disturb the museIf they go `beep-beep' like lost sheep,A harvest of abuses they will reap.
