When we talk about the state of politics and social movements it’s hard to avoid environmental terms: climate, atmosphere, landscape. Appropriate then that the title of a new piece by the creative duo of Kinnari Vora and Preeti Veerlapati, known as Ishti, translates literally to “nature.” In “Prakriti: A History of the Present,” Ishti employs their unique blend of classical Indian dance, Indian folk and tribal dance, martial arts and contemporary Western dance to investigate what primitive and tribal aspects of our human condition have brought us to the current political moment. The Hindu concept of Prakriti refers in part to material world forces in balance; Vora and Veerlapati researched their piece by conducting interviews and surveys to not only gather information about how folks are reacting to the turbulent sociopolitical climate, but how they find balance in anxious times as well. Ishti teamed up with composer Bob Garrett and artist-filmmaker Shawn Convey, along with lighting designer Geoffrey Bushor in creating the evening-length piece. (Sharon Hoyer)
At Indian Boundary Park, 2500 West Lunt. Friday, September 28 at 7:30pm and Saturday, September 29 at 3:30pm and 7:30pm. $20 general admission, $15 students.
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