Exclusive Interview with Rob and Hofesh

Exclusive Interview with Rob and Hofesh

Couple of years back, one had no clue about what is Contemporary Dance, but now, the moment you switch on your television and come across some reality show, surely someone would be performing contemporary. Back then, the moves must have taken us by surprise but now it seems we know it all! But do we know everything?

British Council’s Impulse aims at improving the relationship between two countries, India and UK, with the help of arts and culture. And they have thought of imparting knowledge about contemporary Dance by bringing in few dance companies, who can actually showcase what it is about and also teach the audience through workshops.

A.Kameshwari from One World News had an opportunity to have a brief conversation with Rob Lynes, Director of British Council, who briefed her much more about Impulse.

How did the idea of Impulse came about?

Rob Lynes: Contemporary dance is still new in India and the interesting part was to bring something new to India. So, last year we thought of trying something like this and bring some performers over here. The response across the country has been very welcoming and positive in terms of both the workshops and the performance. We got few dance troops and thought of doing the same again. I think the interest in contemporary dance is growing in India and if we go by the reaction of Hyderabad’s audience some were blown away by it , some didn’t get it at all but that’s okay it is about provoking thoughts, taking up challenge and unexpected performance. We are also planning to do a contemporary festival in upcoming year, so there can be much more contemporary dance coming to India soon.

Why did it take so much time to come up with second season?

Production like this is huge event for any organization; Hofesh Shecter, the person who handles the Hofesh Shecter Company, has a tour scheduled, so we are working according to that tour. They just came from Australia and we had to find some dates, get them settled for it and plan about how and where the event would happen well in advance before Hofesh could come to look around. For the event, the lighting was bought from Bangalore, set from Chennai etc. and in some cases the equipments would have to be boarded to support something like this. The dancers, the musicians, the technicians have come along the troop so a lot of organization is involved to get something like this. It is the largest tour that they are making at 5 cities, 20 workshops but all of it is worth it.

How do you select these dance troops?

We bring the best from UK. We don’t conduct any audition, we have a section which looks onto such requirements and they suggest us some companies. We look on how they would work in India and know if they are interested to be here and select on the basis of that.

Are you also planning to make India’s culture familiar to UK?

I think we do not need to make UK familiar with Indian culture as India has already become a part of us. The Indian curry has become our national dish and the cricket has helped much more to bring in these two countries together.

What do you expect after this performance of ‘Political mother’ gets over?

I look forward to hearing response from audience about the event and I hope it sparks to the imagination I have, the workshops goes well and we keep building good relationship with the troops so that we can continue to get impulse to India.

Political Mother is one of the best and well known acts designed by Hofesh Shechter, a well celebrated artist of UK. His music can make scare you to death or make you fall in love, his choreography can make you tap your feet or let you lose yourself in it and his concept will truly blow your mind. Apart from being a choreographer, Hofesh is a man who is easy to make conversations with, who smiles often and is dedicated towards his work. In an exclusive conversation with Hofesh Shechtar, A.Kameshwari got to know much more about him:

It has been Five years since your company started, why did you plan to make a trip to India now?

Well, it was a conversation that started with British Council and it takes time to come up with something. However, it is better to be late than being sorry so yes we are glad that we are here. I was really excited to be here, I have never been here and was very curious for the performance, so were my troop members.

What do you think sets you apart from other dance companies?

Saying that would be difficult, I will probably leave it on others. I choreograph and create music as well, it is together and it is about creating an experience. It is to see if the both are blending well with each other. It is about creating powerful experience by blending both well together.

How has been your journey so far?

The journey has been crazy; there are a lot of layers to it. It is exciting to see dedicated people for work, to have support etc. of course there are pressures and expectations but overall the experience has been completely new.

Who was Hofesh Shecter before 2008 and how is he now?

Before 2008, Hofesh Shechter was the same guy but was not travelling so much. ‘Politiical Mother’ has been performed at various places and many people are excited about it as they associate it with me. Even though the range of my work is much greater and each performance has something new to it, this work has remained to be the most popular one. However, people get disappointed or surprised with my work but they have to understand that my work would keep changing.

You are a celebrity now, how does it feel?

I am trying to enjoy the fact that I am celebrity now but the title also comes with a lot of responsibility and pressure but I find my own ways to enjoy it. Honestly, when I wake up in the morning I don’t think like “Oh my god! It is great that people are excited about my work”, when one wakes up there is this same tension, joy, work etc. but again there is positive side to it that I can do whatever I want and people appreciate it but yes there are expectations, responsibilities etc. So, when I wake up, I think how to get through the day without dying (laughing).

How you spend your day?

I spend my day by working- studio, theatre, travelling, interview, working on other projects, creating music that’s what my entire day schedule looks like, there is not much fun or pleasure.

What dance forms you like?

I like any form dance. I believe each dance form has something unique about it. Like it can be physicality, expressions, energy etc. I believe in moving people. I have seen Kathak, some Bollywood movie dance. India is full of life and high on energy and that can be experienced during workshops we conduct here. When I was told we are coming here I did plan a to-do-list but when you are on a tour, doing extra things gets a little impossible. However my troop members have planned something for sure.

You said to a publication that you would like to choreograph some Bollywood number…

That was just a question I was asked, although my answer remains yes for it. I think Bollywood is amazing though I haven’t seen much of the movies. I used to watch when I was young as the second wife of my dad was absolutely crazy about India. We had many things from India, so she forced me to watch Bollywood movies but now I am thankful to her that she opened me up for an entirely new culture. I love experimenting and would do anything that brings excitement to my life.