REVIEW: Agathi - The Plight of the Refugee

Agathi – The Plight of the Refugee is a classical Indian dance production by the Apsaras Dance Company. Inspired by Artistic Director Aravinth Kumarasamy’s own experience as a refugee in his youth, the work explores themes of displacement, identity and resilience, as well as the emotional turmoil, stigma and hope encountered on a refugee’s journey. It tells the story of refugees who have been forced to leave their homelands for various reasons. It is worth noting that the production was completed back in 2017 and premiered in Singapore. It is therefore not a new work, but one that has been refined over a considerable period of time.

In terms of source material, the director drew upon an anthology of poetry written by refugee children from around the world. Furthermore, the performance is not entirely wordless; English subtitles are projected on screen to translate the lyrics of the songs. The performers also incorporate some English dialogue between the dance sequences. This ensures that even audience members unfamiliar with Indian classical dance can grasp the meaning of each segment.

The most outstanding aspect of this production lies in its skilful integration of traditional dance movements and structure with a contemporary narrative, offering the audience a refreshingly new experience. Indian classical dance is, by its very nature, a form that possesses a powerful capacity for emotional expression and is highly narrative in nature. Consequently, the use of Indian classical dance for adaptations of this kind of subject matter is highly appropriate. Although there were no stage sets, the production featured a large cast of dancers with profound technical mastery. Their facial expressions and stage coordination were flawless. They conveyed the events unfolding in different scenes with remarkable clarity through their hand gestures. For instance, the herd of cows at the beginning, forced into desperate hiding within a confined space, and the reactions of each character whilst searching for their husbands were all portrayed with remarkable precision.

However, the refugee crisis is undoubtedly a serious issue. This production adopts a simplified approach to depicting the refugee crisis, rendering the issue one-sided. When the choreography holds such strong aesthetic appeal for the audience, does the audience’s appreciation inadvertently romanticise the real-life suffering of refugees? This is a question worthy of consideration by both the audience and the production team. Even though the majority of refugees are forced to leave their homes due to social unrest or natural disasters, the issue still involves some extremely brutal political matters, which are highly complex. I believe that such a subject requires a more multi-layered and multifaceted approach; the current structure of the production feels somewhat thin. Nevertheless, apart from this, the production remains highly watchable. Whilst provoking thought, the bold innovation in its subject matter serves as excellent proof of the timeless nature of Indian classical dance.

★★★★

For more information, please visit: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/agathi-the-plight-of-the-refugee
& https://www.apsarasarts.com

©️Apsaras Art️

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