About IT IS YOU
Concept Note
IT IS YOU is a representation of where we have reached as people on this planet and a call to become responsible for our collective future. It's a critical look at our need for systems and our resistance to them changing.
Through journeys of characters X and Y, we witness the embodied tensions and play between two paths. The attraction towards the curiosity of the unknown vs the comfort and conviction in the familiar. When these forces meet and have to learn to take an angry planet(earth) in their stead, what could happen?
​​
Journey of the play
This project has been realized after a search lasting two years where the thematic interest was to look into the human need for systems (with a focus on religion), our need to be free and both their connection to our relationship with nature.
Initiated by Vivek Vijayakumaran from Our Theatre Collective, Bangalore with a desire to collaborate with Pangambam Tyson Meitei from Kalakshetra, Manipur. Both these artists have been full-time theatre practitioners for over the last fifteen years and have also known each other for over a decade.
Keen to challenge themselves, this collaboration was informed by resisting what they already know (especially movement language) and resisting each other in the aspiration to find something that is new, exciting and meaningful in the realm of thematic exploration which formed the foundational premise.One of the ways that the approach to find new meanings has been executed is through the usage of percussion and non-percussion instruments. While the actor musician Tyson has had a long relationship with these instruments, in the instant of this exploration the instruments come to stand for attack and rigidity and reinvention and nurture, respectively.
Premiere at Kalakshetra
Having had a long journey of ideation, inception, deletion and addition, the performance has its premiere at the prestigious Kalakshetra, Manipur. Opening to a warm audience and a curious and engaging public, the piece was received with open arms. Reflecting after the performance, there were multiple interpretations, questions and provocations that filled the space of the iconic theatre.
Having been supported and appreciated by none other than Ima Sabitri and the courageous theatre workers at Kalakshetra, It is You is ready to have showings across the country and on international platforms. The relevance of this non verbal piece cannot be limited by borders and that is the possibility the piece will explore in the coming days. Keep your ears and eyes open for a show coming to a space close to you.
Written by Vivek Vijayakumaran
Created, Devised and Performed by Pangambam Tyson Meitei & Vivek Vijayakumaran
Duration : 60 min
Music by Chaoba Thiyam
Music Operated by Kshetrimayum Priyobrata Singh
Light Design by Laishram Ibochouba Singh
Light Execution by Arun DT
Costume Design by Aastha
Costume Realisation by Aloka Dsouza
Poster & Brochure Design by Sudarshan
Press Liaison by Athul Madhav
Production Management by Laxmi Priya
Social Media, Logistical and Production Support by Abhitej Gupta & Sachin Ravindran
Photo & Video Documentation by Jaya Kumar
Videography by Hariharan Ramaswamy
Special Thanks
Rukmini Iyer, Ima Sabitri, Heisnam Tomba, Abhitej Gupta, Sachin Ravindran, Sachin Gurjalee, Garima Mishra, Nitin Sharma, Veena Basavarajaiah, Apoorva Arthur, Ajiithlal, Sreehari Ajith, Leya Mammen, Suranjay Patil, Khumukcham Rahul, Lanchingba Laishram, Chanakya Vyas, and Infinite Souls Farm and Artists Retreat