We decided to nix the idea of the live SKYPE call with Sandra because of technical issues and it being too long to hold the audience's attention in a theatrical performance. So I came up with the following beginning to frame the dance. In this script, I envision that Shyamala would talk to the audience (not sure if she's my pimp or what) - and that I would communicate by holding up my lines on a big placard.
Shyamala: Welcome to the exclusive salon of Rasulanbai, the renowned courtesan!
Cynthia: Actually, it’s just me, Cynthia.
Shyamala: She is master of the refined arts of Lucknow’s courtesans.
Cynthia: I’ve never been to a courtesan’s salon...so I’m going to have to invent this dance.
Shyamala: The finest courtesans in Lucknow come to her for training, for her fount of artistic knowledge is endless.
Cynthia: I know! I’ll do everything that my classical dance teacher told me I couldn’t do because it was too vulgar.
Shyamala: She is schooled in the intricacies of Urdu poetry, and her voice captures the subtleties of Hindustani ragas, enhanced by the most delicate facial expressions.
Cynthia: Um, I can’t sing. Nor do I speak Urdu or Braj Bhasa. And the only courtesan text I could find was a South Indian padam translated into English.
Shyamala: Come be seduced, come fall in love, come to her salon...and come with your pockets filled with gold!
Cynthia: It’s true that a courtesan can’t dance without a patron. Can I have a volunteer from the audience join me onstage? Raise your hand, and Shyamala will escort you. Don’t worry, I won’t really ask for money. After all, you already bought your tickets.
Shy would then bring the patron onstage where he would sit on the floor facing me with a live feed camera between us. The live feed of my face would show up in one of the Mughal miniature frames, so the audience would only see the side of my face but could see my abhinaya through the camera. Another simpler version would be to have my garden footage play in the window while I do the piece live with my patron, which would cut out the need for the live feed.
password "cynthiabai"
Another thought that was briefly broached today was to combine Ranri and hidden tamarind by performing the two simultaneously. I could see hidden tamarind upstage dimly lit behind the scrim and my face on the live feed, with Shy doing Ranri downstage. Perhaps hidden tamarind, which is shorter, would occur during wrist. Again this could be simplified by using pre-recorded footage of my abhinaya rather than live, though I think I would have to re-record it in Mughal-style costume. Would have to figure out how to get an audience member onstage though...and the music would need to work for both of us.
Shyamala: Welcome to the exclusive salon of Rasulanbai, the renowned courtesan!
Cynthia: Actually, it’s just me, Cynthia.
Shyamala: She is master of the refined arts of Lucknow’s courtesans.
Cynthia: I’ve never been to a courtesan’s salon...so I’m going to have to invent this dance.
Shyamala: The finest courtesans in Lucknow come to her for training, for her fount of artistic knowledge is endless.
Cynthia: I know! I’ll do everything that my classical dance teacher told me I couldn’t do because it was too vulgar.
Shyamala: She is schooled in the intricacies of Urdu poetry, and her voice captures the subtleties of Hindustani ragas, enhanced by the most delicate facial expressions.
Cynthia: Um, I can’t sing. Nor do I speak Urdu or Braj Bhasa. And the only courtesan text I could find was a South Indian padam translated into English.
Shyamala: Come be seduced, come fall in love, come to her salon...and come with your pockets filled with gold!
Cynthia: It’s true that a courtesan can’t dance without a patron. Can I have a volunteer from the audience join me onstage? Raise your hand, and Shyamala will escort you. Don’t worry, I won’t really ask for money. After all, you already bought your tickets.
Shy would then bring the patron onstage where he would sit on the floor facing me with a live feed camera between us. The live feed of my face would show up in one of the Mughal miniature frames, so the audience would only see the side of my face but could see my abhinaya through the camera. Another simpler version would be to have my garden footage play in the window while I do the piece live with my patron, which would cut out the need for the live feed.
password "cynthiabai"
Another thought that was briefly broached today was to combine Ranri and hidden tamarind by performing the two simultaneously. I could see hidden tamarind upstage dimly lit behind the scrim and my face on the live feed, with Shy doing Ranri downstage. Perhaps hidden tamarind, which is shorter, would occur during wrist. Again this could be simplified by using pre-recorded footage of my abhinaya rather than live, though I think I would have to re-record it in Mughal-style costume. Would have to figure out how to get an audience member onstage though...and the music would need to work for both of us.
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