An epic told in Indonesian style

CHENNAI: It was a dance drama that both Chennaiites and citizens of Indonesia could relate to at Music Academy. Organised as part of the cultural exchange programme between Indian and Indonesia, the Jakarta-based troupe, Wayang Orang Bharata, staged The Epic of Mahabharata in their own language and style. The audiences comprised KJ Kumar, honorary consul of Republic of Indonesia in Chennai, representatives from Indonesia and people of both nations. The gathering were treated to the colourful performance of the chapter Krishna Duta, where lord Krishna goes as the ambassador of Pandavas to negotiate with Kauravas to return the kingdom to the former. All the nine actors presented the show with elan that had its fare share of ethnicity.The half-an-hour performance began with Duriyodhana, other Kauravas and Karna anticipating the lord Krishna’s arrival to their empire and discussing among themselves. And when Krishna finally arrives and demands Pandavas’ share of asset, the Kauravas refuse and irk him. The performance was set on the Javanese dance form and the actors were perfect even during the complex fight sequences with their uniform moves. The scene where Kunti  Devi is shocked to hear Karna saying he’s determined to fight against the Pandavas was particularly made emotional by the actors’ performance. Luakas Danasmsoro, the head of the troupe who played Krishna, said it took six months for them to prepare for event.