Kalaa Utsavam 2023: An Interview with choreographer Aditi Mangaldas on feminine desire in her solo dance show ‘FORBIDDEN’

Sexism has been a problem since time immemorial, and one of the most problematic perceptions that continue to dog women everywhere is the gatekeeping of their sexuality, where society feels the need to dictate the way a woman’s desires should be expressed or contained. And one of the most prominent countries where this continues to remain an issue is India. Realising how these taboos and … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2023: An Interview with choreographer Aditi Mangaldas on feminine desire in her solo dance show ‘FORBIDDEN’

Kalaa Utsavam 2023: An Interview with Shiv Tandan, creator of ‘Fistful of Rupees’

When he was still based in Singapore, Shiv Tandan was a rising star in the local theatre scene, having penned the hit play The Good, The Bad and the Sholay back in 2011, when he was still an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. Since then, he went on to become an associate artist with Checkpoint Theatre, assisting across various projects and productions, received … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2023: An Interview with Shiv Tandan, creator of ‘Fistful of Rupees’

Kalaa Utsavam 2023: An Interview with co-directors Subramanian Ganesh and Karthikeyan Somasundram on Agam Theatre Lab’s ‘Twin Murder In The Green Mansion’

In 2012, Britain’s The Mischief Theatre Company struck gold with a little theatre production – The Play That Goes Wrong. An incredibly clever comedy that sees an amateur drama club putting on a murder mystery play, things quickly go awry as the set falls apart, actors forget cues, and essentially, everything that can possibly go wrong, does. Riotous and receiving international acclaim, the play quickly … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2023: An Interview with co-directors Subramanian Ganesh and Karthikeyan Somasundram on Agam Theatre Lab’s ‘Twin Murder In The Green Mansion’

Kalaa Utsavam 2023: Kumar spills the tea on new show ‘The Great Indian Mix’

Kumar may be Singapore’s top comedian, unfiltered and ready to comment about everything Singaporean with his observational humour, where in the spirit of equality, everyone is equally susceptible to a joke or two. But this November, Kumar will be taking his comedy in a more focused direction, as he performs a brand new show for Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2023: Kumar spills the tea on new show ‘The Great Indian Mix’

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts is back this November to showcase and explore Indian and Singapore-Indian identity and culture through the performing arts. This year, the festival features some of India and Singapore’s best-known names in theatre, dance and music, who celebrate the power of stories and folklore, through both traditional and contemporary mediums. Leading Singapore comedian … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★★☆ Review: Between 5 Cows and the Deep Blue Sea by A Yagnya (Kalaa Utsavam 2022)

Interrogating the confused, multi-faceted identity of the modern Indian woman in a meta, self-reflexive play. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (A Yagnya and Alvin Tan) 6 Script (A Yagnya) 6 Performance (Indumathi Tamilselvan and Kewal Kartik) 8 Costumes (Max Tan) 8 Set (Chan Silei) 7 Lighting (Faith Liu Yong Huay) 8 Multimedia (Jevon Chandra) 9 Sound (Jevon Chandra) 8 Total 60/80 (75%) Final Score: … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Between 5 Cows and the Deep Blue Sea by A Yagnya (Kalaa Utsavam 2022)

Kalaa Utsavam 2022: An Interview with Playwright/Director A Yagnya on ‘Between 5 Cows and the Deep Blue Sea’

When theatremaker A Yagnya’s play Between 5 Cows and the Deep Blue Sea was given a dramatised reading in 2020, we praised it as ‘relatable, fun and poignant’, impressed and hoping for it to receive a full staging at some point. 2 years later, and that staging is finally happening, as part of the Esplanade’s 2022 Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts. Written and … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2022: An Interview with Playwright/Director A Yagnya on ‘Between 5 Cows and the Deep Blue Sea’

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Indian culture spans myriad art forms and genres, and once again, the Esplanade is back to celebrate that with the annual Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts. Taking place from 18th to 27th November 2022, the festival builds on the relationships developed over the years with artists and arts groups, while also introducing new and exciting artists and art forms that audiences can look … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Back for its 18th edition, the Esplanade’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of the Arts returns this Deepavali season to present another 10 exciting days of the very best artists from across the Indian diaspora, presenting both traditional and contemporary works – and sometimes, a mix of both to keep us both rooted as we move into the future. Much of Kalaa Utsavam’s line-up this year … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa

Sharul Channa lets her acid humour take a backseat to this timely character drama about the underclass of Singapore. Better known for her sharp tongue and razor wit, stand up comedian Sharul Channa has lately, been delving into a somewhat different brand of performance lately, exploring her actor side with character work that’s seen her transform into women of all backgrounds. In the International Women’s … Continue reading Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa