The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s “Focus National Lighting Workshop” has kicked off brilliantly at the Akademi premises. Renowned theatre personality and filmmaker Sunil Shanbag inaugurated the event on Saturday, eloquently describing stage lighting as “a form of magic beyond words.”
Shanbag emphasized the crucial role of light in unveiling a character’s true depth and essence to the audience, sharing captivating stories from his youth, where he began his journey backstage in commercial theatre at just 17 years old.
The ceremony was presided over by Akademi chairperson Mattannur Sankarankutty, with an address by secretary Karivellur Murali. Distinguished guests of honor included Sri Lankan theatre director Ruwanthie de Chickera and Abhilash Pillai, the esteemed Director of the School of Drama and Fine Arts.
Ruwanthie de Chickera highlighted the essential need for profound, creative collaboration between a director and a lighting designer for any stage production to truly shine. Dr. Pillai further elaborated, stating that “light transcends mere illumination; it is a philosophical force that imprints every image onto the viewer’s mind.”
Acknowledging Excellence
Gopinath Kozhikode, the festival director, eloquently set the thematic stage for the workshop. During the event, the Akademi proudly presented a certificate of appreciation to Chitra Sukumaran, recognizing her contributions as the festival director for the Akademi’s Central Region Dance Festival. Executive committee member Saheer Ali and programme officer V.K. Anil Kumar also shared their insights.
This enriching workshop, a collaborative effort with Cameo Light, has brought together 25 enthusiastic participants from various corners of India. It is scheduled to conclude on October 24.
Mr. Sankarankutty expressed his keen interest in performing alongside the workshop’s most promising participants, recalling a pivotal moment: “It was during a Chenda performance in London that I genuinely grasped the transformative power of lighting.” He emphasized that skillful lighting is what truly completes any artistic presentation.
Adding to the evening’s charm, dancers Ms. Sukumaran and Deepa Kartha enchanted the audience with a mesmerizing performance, seamlessly weaving together rhythm and light. Under the masterful artistic direction of lighting designer Sai Venkitesh, each delicate flicker of light beautifully echoed the dancers’ expressions and fluid movements, forging a dynamic dialogue between motion and illumination.
In his address to the participants, Mr. Venkitesh underscored the importance of technical readiness, advising lighting designers to arrive at the venue at least a day prior to any performance to ensure technical precision. Furthermore, esteemed lighting designer Arun Moorthy, alongside Mr. Gopinath, conducted engaging sessions covering the fundamental principles of stage lighting.