Ishti’s “Prakriti: A History of the Present” is an exploration of how we, as humans, have arrived to our present-day climate. We seek to understand why we can be so unwilling to listen to views, beliefs or behaviors that are different from our own. We journey to our most primitive/primal times to discover our need for tribes, reactions to the different and ability to find balance.
The initial stages in the development of this production involved discussions, interviews and surveys to study people's reaction and their means to find balance in the current social-political environment. A work-in-progress showing was completed in September 2017 at the Chicago Fringe Festival.
This full-length multidisciplinary production, a collaborative of dance by Ishti, original score and live music by composer Bob Garrett (percussion book for the world premiere of Sting's The Last Ship), visual art by filmmaker Shawn Convey (Among Wolves) and light design by Geoffrey Bushor.
The dance choreography is rooted in Indian classical dance, Indian tribal and folk dance, the South Indian martial art form of Kalaripayattu, and Western modern/contemporary dance forms. Choreographers Kinnari Vora and Preeti Veerlapati use movements inspired by daily life routines, nature, primal movements and experiment with fabrics and sound effects.
This project is partially supported by the Individual Artist Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, as well as a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. It is also supported by Tribhang, a non-profit organization that believes in “Art with Purpose,” empowering local artists and creating a dialogue on human rights issues.
Ishti is a collaborative team composed of Kinnari Vora and Preeti Veerlapati. Leveraging their mixed upbringings, experiences, and dance trainings in Indian and Western styles, the duo strives to create work on topics that are both relevant and accessible to their communities and to explore and experiment with movement and collaborations.
