A rendition of the great ancient Indian Epic ‘Mahabharata’ will be presented to audiences at the Youth Theater in Hanoi on July 16.
‘Mahabharata’ is an ancient Indian Epic originally written in Sanskrit and regarded as the Hindu Bible, the source of Indian philosophy, moral, politics and law. It is the story of a dynastic struggle that brings social, moral and cosmological backgrounds to a climactic battle, and covers all categories of story telling.
This gigantic epic is a treasure house of ancient wisdom and can be an excellent reference on study of human nature, which motivated Hiroshi Koike, a highly revered Japanese director, to bring this historical masterpiece on stage.
The story will be introduced to audiences with traditional dances performed by Cambodian actors/actresses, Bali and ballet dances by Japanese dancers, Butoh dances by Malaysian dancers.
Each performer will play several roles by changing masks. The story will be delivered mainly through physical movements and music.
The drama aims to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and Japan-Vietnam Friendship Year 2013.
The performance is being co-organized by the Hiroshi Koike Bridge Project, Cambodia’s Amrita Performing Arts and the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, sponsored by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs.