‘Ramchandani’s hold on the subject is reflected in the ease with which she translates this extremely complex and layered psychological state into dance, clearly the culmination of immense thought, dedication and hard work’- Resolution Reviewer
Just enough madness is a solo work in the Indian dance style of Kuchipudi that questions the popular definition of ‘normal’ in the context of mental health. Pinned against the backdrop of contemporary and mythological narratives as a pathway to access the existential truths of today, the work acknowledges the existence of mental health battles through time.
''...her ability to move between emotions keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. I watched the dance three times and each time my understanding and admiration for the artist grew' - Sanjeevini Dutta, Pulse (on '..of love and lament')
The mind navigates through knotted experiences of motherhood, loss and different stages of grief. Stigmatised for its unpredictability, the mind becomes but a puppet whose strings are controlled by skewed societal beliefs. What is left of the mind when these beliefs translate into brutal practices of exorcism, ostracization and victimisation?
‘’The conflicting experiences of gendered, cultural and psychological trauma are powerfully evoked in this narrative, which often pulls its character in contradictory societal, spiritual and theatrical directions’’- Sarah- Mace Denni
Payal is a Kuchipudi dancer (South Indian classical dance) with 27 years of overall experience including training and performances on the global stage. She has evolved her own unique vocabulary, evident in her innovative choreographies. Her work uses the dance form as a tool to investigate the complexities of contemporary ideologies and social practices. Through abstract metaphorical interpretations, she metamorphoses them into a vocabulary that is well balanced between tradition and modernity. Through this work that uses both abstract and mythological narratives, Payal aims to hold a mirror up for us to reflect on questions around ‘identity’ and ‘challenges in the present and the future with reverence to the past’.
Instagram: payal.kuchipudi
Facebook: Payal Ramchandani
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcHbRr2GXpZMGClzRwC-1LQ
Website: www.payalramchandani.com
£60 gets you 20 free Bitesize tickets, max 2 per performance. That's £3 per Bite!
