Choreographer and performer: Aditi Mangaldas
Why are women from all over the world, in whatever society, judged and controlled for their expression of sexual desire? Aditi Mangaldas’ FORBIDDEN is an intimate, urgent and deeply sensual blend of contemporary dance and the classic Indian dance form Kathak that seeks to explore these notions and question the deep taboos of female sexual desire.
The darkness is silent, until the tinkle of Ghungroo, the ankle bells typical of traditional Kathak dance, break the stillness, and choreographer and performer Aditi Mangaldas finds her place on the stage at Sadler’s Wells. Mangaldas is alone and confined to a small spotlight where she begins her journey, immersed in the tension between profound feelings of sexual intimacy and desire confined by taboo.
The use of the ankle bells is a running theme throughout FORBIDDEN, at first attached to her ankles during Mangaldas’ sexual ‘awakening’, swelling and adding to her captivating percussive footwork characterised by stamps. Later, during moments of rage and intense seduction, ankle bells fall from the ceiling and are shrouded in orange light, as if they are molten lava. During moments of self-discovery, the ankle bells are draped luxuriously over her shoulders and around her neck, as elaborate necklaces, or, at other times, chains.
At a powerful moment, the music stops and Mangaldas speaks using words inspired by the Kamasutra and Seema Anand’s book The Arts Of Seduction. Shrouded in mesh across her face and body, she recounts and physically recreates steps to improve sexual intimacy. At another, she recounts a meeting of a group of women, who have to be reminded of their own access to sexual desire.
Recorded music composition from Nicki Wells and classical Indian renditions from Faraz Ahmed and Ashish Gangani provide an urgent, atmospheric and sometimes cinematic soundtrack to Mangaldas’ specifically articulated movements. Thrumming beats and traditional Indian music combine with modern Western elements (much like the balance of the dance) for a totally absorbing soundtrack. Mangaldas is captivating alongside this magnetic music, but there is a dip in energy around three-quarters through the piece, in both music and performance. It is regained toward the end but leaves an impression on the overall piece.
Michael Hulls’ light design is forefront and impressive. Beaming warm whites stream down through the mist, illuminating Mangaldas in her awakening and sexual discovery. The mood changes when the stage is swept in a cool blue. At intense moments, fierce red projects from the back, lighting Mangaldas in silhouette, deepening the dark sense of seduction, denial and, sometimes, rage. At moments, sharp-edged spotlights confine Mangaldas to certain areas of the stage and, at others, allow her access to the rest of the space, a physical reminder of the cultural constraints put on women. The light design allows her to fill the stage with her majestic hypnotic movements. Mangaldas makes a mastery of the stage however it is lit. No small feat in a space as big as the one at Sadler’s Wells.
FORBIDDEN is a truly irrepressible exploration of female sexuality, a reclamation of desire and a battle against repression. It is a perfect blend of the traditional Kathak dance form and contemporary elements for an overall fervent and penetrating performance of dance.
Reviewed on 13 October 2023 and at Northern Stage, Newcastle, 20 October 2023
