Theru - Koothu: a look at the popular theatrical culture of South India

• Grant number: 16/10719-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: January 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Theatre
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Cassiano Sydow Quilici
• Grantee: Irani da Cruz Cippiciani
• Host Institution: Instituto de Artes (IA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/06786-0 - Theru Koothu: diving into a theatrical folk tradition, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

This project is aimed to study a popular form of Indian street theater: the Theru Koothu (TK). The object of this research is the study of theatrical culture that characterizes it, trying to understand the theatrical phenomenon in cultural, social and historical aspects and their overlaps in community life.Assuming that the TK suffered direct influence of Indian classical theater and his Theory Aesthetics of Rasa, this research then will look at the Natyasastra, looking for parallel and/or counterpoints between the scenic TK framework and other classical forms of theater, as Kathakali, for example.Understanding that the forms of Hindu art aim to achieve spiritual experience through aesthetic experience, the research will create bridges with the Hindu philosophical thought, through scriptures and traditional treaties, in order to deepen discussions about the metaphysical aspects of artistic experience and its potential to change the individuals.Finally, we will establish a dialogue with the Western director-researcher Phillip Zarrilli, discussing some very current issues in the theatrical scene as the breakdown of body-mind dichotomy, the range of subtle states of consciousness, psychophysical training, among other statements problematized by him.Thus, we intend to offer tools to broaden understanding of popular performing arts of India, unpublished study in Brazil, not limited to the anthropological aspects, but advancing toward the philosophical and aesthetic aspects that sediment in the performer's body and reverberate in scene. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CIPPICIANI, Irani da Cruz. Theru-K-Koothu: a look at the folk theatre cultures of south India. 2020. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Artes Campinas, SP.