In the dance performance ‘Breathe’, the overstimulated person seeks tranquility through the breath

Finding freedom, peace and tranquility within yourself is more important in Indian philosophy than overcoming limitations outside yourself. Every hobby yogi knows what is important: the breath. That starts Breathe by choreographer Kalpana Raghuraman: the five dancers and four musicians of the Matangi Quartet calmly enter the floor. In the soothing blue light that marks the boundaries of the playing surface in narrow lines, they breathe in and out in one collective cadence, while gently rocking their bodies back and forth, like swaying reeds.

Once the musicians have taken their seats, a powerful ensemble dance begins, with sharply articulated arm movements, angling or drawing clean lines. In short duets, the dancers pull each other forward or off balance, while the others watch in the background. Together again, they synchronize their bodies again, with a kind of ‘pops’ in the torso that gradually turn into upright jumps and, eventually, a rhythmic dance.

Indian dance

Raghuraman’s roots in Indian dance are clearly recognizable in the fierce foot rhythms and precisely placed arm movements. Dancer Sooraj Subramaniam shares that background. His beautiful precision gives his solo, accompanied by cellist Arno van der Vuurst, and his performance a striking place within the group. But there are also clear differences in the way in which they search for their inner tranquility in the solos of the other four. Sometimes the contours are softer and curly (Laila Gozzi), flowing continuously (Riccardo Zandoná), aggressive (Frederik Kaijser) or aggressive and powerful (Manouk Schrauwen).

Dance performance ‘Breathe‘ by Kalpanarts.Photo Bowie Verschuren

Dance performance ‘Breathe‘ by Kalpanarts.Photo Bowie Verschuren

The group dances take on a martial character through short shouts and heavy breaths, in which the dancers seem to suffer from overstimulation. The movements are hectic, staccato and terse. The music also develops to a crescendo, after which the musicians, as in Haydn’s Farewell Symphony, one by one stop their play to join the dancers. Finally, they stand together on the floor again, breathing together in peaceful tranquility.

The different parts are clearly marked, with a change of light (from blue, to pink or white) and a new part of the music by composer Simone Giacomini. This is alternately combined with pre-recorded percussion. Although some ensemble dances are beautiful in their simplicity (jumping upright together) and the solos are fascinating, due to the recurring caesura, they do not really add up to anything more than a collection of dances around the theme. Breathe nevertheless has plenty of beauty to offer, not least thanks to the thoughtful atmosphere that Giacomini created especially for this performance, inspired by the minimalist work of Simeon ten Holt: repetitive, minimalist, melancholic and breathing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Dh4hdgqm4