RI MA Kallingal swirls, swings and drops effortlessly, each movement in measure together with Maya Angelou’s evocative poem ‘And Still I Rise’. Predicated on the poet’s powerful rendition of these poetry, actor-dancer RI MA’s brand new choreography ‘Rise’ is just a bit that instills resilience, faith and hope. Premièred on May 1-2 on YouTube, RI MA claims that the choreography tries to catch the indomitable soul of this poem.
“Ever since I first saw the video of the poet reciting it, I must have watched it innumerable times and each time I felt invigorated. A reason why I decided to take it up for choreography during this challenging period. I hope those who watch my video feel the same way,” says RI MA.
RI MA Kallingal’s dancing videos synergise lyrics, movement, songs, lighting and distance. A still from ‘Rise’
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Special arrangement
Directed and co-choreographed from Pratheesh Ramdas, ‘Rise’ is filmed by Jees John and it has music by noise scientist Lami. With her face decorated with traces out of the poem (by face artist Meera Chandran), RI MA’s expressive eyes communicate the heart of the lyrics — of guts in the face of defeat, of jealousy and chauvinism.
“The idea of ‘Rise’ came from the way the poet reaches out to the huge audience with her attitude and style of recitation. When I wanted to create something during the lockdown, this came to my mind instantly,” says RI MA.
By experimentation with music, makeup, costume, distance and movement, RI MA has broadened her dancing horizons. She’s been dealing together with light and frames to develop a signature style that combines distinct facets into a compatible collection of motions.
In sync with all this articles
Rather than adhering with a specific style of dancing, RI MA’s works are far more in sync with all the thematic content of this choreography. Since the very first lock down, she’s uploaded three videos ‘Yamuna’, ‘Pirouette’ and ‘Rise’, each round another motif: environment, distance and sex.
Even though ‘Yamuna’ has been conceived by artist Sreevalsan J. Menon,” ‘Pirouette’ and ‘Rise’ were conceptualised with her. “I visualised Sreevalsan sir’s idea through movements. ‘Pirouette’ was all about my love for space, architecture and design. It was done in a space designed by award-winning architect Vinu Daniel. And choreographing Maya Angelou’s poem is my tribute to all those women who have inspired and motivated me. This woman, from another era and another part of the world, who had a completely different experience from mine and spoke from another era, from the background of the civil rights movement… she yet has the power to stoke my inner fires,” says RI MA.
RI MA was reading upon the life span of both K.R. Gouri Amma as soon as the veteran political pioneer passed on recently. She states, “Towards the end of her life, she may, at times, have felt defeated and disappointed. But the truth is that her life itself is an inspiration, a guiding light for women. The power of their work, their art and their lives cannot be obliterated. It lives on. I had to pay homage to these women who walked ahead of us. We are standing on their shoulders. That was the whole idea behind ‘Rise.’”
RI MA Kallingal’s dancing videos synergise lyrics, movement, songs, lighting and distance. A still from ‘Pirouette’, a dancing choreographed round a house constructed by Vinu Daniel
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RI MA is likely her next movie with veteran Bharatanatyam genius Kalakshetra Vilasini, the very first thoughts of this Department of Bharata Natyam in R.L.V. College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura.
“I have been learning the adavus from her. During class, she would demonstrate a particular step or a piece of abhinaya for us. I want to do a video with her where she is also performing, to showcase her amazing talent to viewers.”
She’s the results of her videos to her team with whom she was employed by at least seven decades. “I can trust them with my ideas. As a choreographer and artiste who has also worked in film, I try to bring together two different art forms: dance and film, visually choreographying it with frames. In cinematography, different ideas can be communicated with one close-up shot, sans movement; so many different layers of thought can be communicated.In many frames, I have communicated just with my eyes. I use movement only as and when required,” she explains.
Though she’s a moodboard, a light design and colour tone at heart, throughout outdoor shoots, so the team enables nature direct them. “With low budgets, we have to improvise. There is a lot of give and take while shooting. The mood of the piece is communicated to the team. It is when everything falls into place that an art work comes alive. Whether it be harmonious or a study in contrasts, there has to be an understanding with the team. So many elements come into play to make the video stand out. I think it is a miracle when an art form takes shape.”