Traditional Japanese art comes to Chennai

Although it’s an age-old art contemporary Japanese dance form, it is slowly catching up among those interested oriental art in Chennai.
The art of Butoh Body movement is traditionally performed in white-body makeup with slow movements and it explores themes concerning the environmental, art and culture among others. Chennai will play a host to a performance of this art form when Atsushi Takenouchi, accompanied by Hiroko Komiya will be conducting a workshop of Butoh Body movement here from February 12 to 15. Elaborating on the event organised by the Prakriti Foundation, Krishna Devanandan, one of the coordinators for the workshop, who has witnessed the performance previously says, “Atsushi Takenouchi is a really wonderful artiste and in the past, he has given some incredible performances. Their workshop at Auroville saw a good turnout and we are expecting the same in Chennai too. The art form is traditionally performed in the nude with make-up that appears like a covering. But they will not be able to do the same in India, owing to cultural restrictions. In Chennai, Atsushi will also be giving a solo performance called Skin. The music by Hiroko Komiya is outstanding, which makes the show even more special.”
Shruti R, a college-goer and dancer, who plans to catch the performance in Chennai says, “Butoh is a very creative and unique performance art and not many know about its significance to Japanese culture. It is very expressive in nature as people get to use the stage as a tool to exhibit their emotions to the fullest,” she adds.Atsushi Takenouchi started his own production titled Jinen Butoh in 1986 and created several solo works including Itteki and Ginkan. He explores environmental topics though his performances and he has been taking several workshops around the world to promote this art form. The workshop, which he will be conducting in the city will be open for dancers, actors, performing artists, healers, body work practitioners and others in the performing arts sphere. The three-day workshop will take place at Chandralekha’s Spaces in Besant Nagar.