North Indian Epic Comes To The Auckland Stage

North Indian Epic Comes To The Auckland Stage In Traditional-Meets-Contemporary Spectacular

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Wild Dreamer Productions presents

MEERA

Created by Aarti Bajaj

ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland

31 May, 1 June, 2 June 2019

“There is more to Indian performing arts than Bollywood”, says Aarti Bajaj, artistic director and Indian Classical and Contemporary performer taking the lead role in stage spectacular Meera, which comes to Auckland from Australia 31 May – 2 June this year. “My goal is to break different boundaries using globalisation and modernisation, to shine a light on different cultures and art forms. There is so much more to Indian dance and to South Asian culture that is not properly propagated or spread in the wider world.”

A bold love story between a mortal and an immortal, Meera draws its plot from a 16th Century Indian tale of a princess who believes in her love for the Hindu god Krishna so much, she’ll go against all norms of society for it. The show tells the epic through theatrical and musical numbers, with narration, opera singing and a wide range of dance styles.

Bajaj will perform Indian contemporary and Indian classical (Bharatnatyam) dance in her lead role as princess Meera. Bharatanatyam is one of India’s classical dance forms with roots in the temples and courts of Southern India. The form, rarely seen on New Zealand’s largest stages, encompasses strong techniques in footwork, rhythm training, musicality in movement and Abhinaya (acting or lyrical technique.) Other dance forms include ballet, jazz, contemporary, pole, aerial, Indian folk and even kapa haka.

“I want to tell a beautiful ancient story with the whole globe as my canvas”, says Bajaj, who has worked with local talent to incorporate Māori performance styles into the Auckland performances.

The large, multi-cultural cast of around 100 will include a large number of New Zealand performers, with select core cast coming from Australia to perform highly specialised dance sections in ballet, pole and aerial (Lyra). Original music is composed by both renowned maestros from India and western composers.

Traditional and contemporary sit side by side in many aspects of the production. Bajaj sourced a large number of the costumes and jewellery on a trip to India, adding to the colour and authenticity of the stage show. The production team has also incorporated 2D-3D projection mapping to illuminate the theatre with the various scenes and locations throughout the journey.

During the writing process, Bajaj altered the interpretation of Meera to fit the wider audience. “I wanted to take all of the religious aspects out, and only focus on the pureness of love in the story. We all have different religions and beliefs, but we all have one common expression, and that is love.”

Meera debuted with a multi-talented, multi-cultural cast and crew of 300 to a full house of 1,100 people at the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts (HOTA) in November 2018.

Show details

MEERA

Created by Aarti Bajaj

ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland

31st May, 1st June, 2nd June 2019

Showtimes: Friday 31 May 2pm & 7pm, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June 2pm & 6pm

Duration 90 mins including 10 min interval

Tickets from ASB Waterfront Theatre

ends

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