A Creative Reading and Writing Workshop
With Kamal Swaroop
12 Weekends, Online.
Starting 17th February, 2024, onwards
14:30 to 18:30 IST.
OVERVIEW:
In the 11th-century kingdom of Kashmir, the king and his son clashed for the throne, chaos reigned. In desperation, Queen Suryavati handled the crumbling state machinery, her distress deepening.
It was then that the court poet and storyteller, Somadeva, began breathing life into many ancient tales for the Queen, with each new tale spiraling into numerous story cycles, he drew her mind to the tales of cursed souls, gamblers and gods, and the battle of witches, tales of dubious ascetics, thieves and wondrous women, tales of cunning ministers and legendary kings, the betrayal of friends, and lovers escapades into a world of unpredictable twists and turns, diving through the essential human condition, exploring dharma.
In one such story cycle, Betal Pachisi, the riddles of moonlit nights unfold—A king’s quest to capture a ghost. Clinging to the king’s back, the ghost spins stories full of dilemmas. Resolve them, and the ghost slips away; stay silent, and the ghost will shatter the king’s head. The puzzling tales go on as the ghost laughs, and the king tries to find his way out of them, swaying between realms of stark terror and profound inquiry.
With Kamal Swaroop, choose a tale that resonates with you and recreate its magic in your contemporary world.
This workshop plunges into the vast sea of stories in KathaSaritSagara and cultivates a reading culture for an intensive understanding of the storyworld, storytelling style, and technique unique to India’s Katha tradition. It also reveals how its magic ebbs and flows across time, navigating through history, mythology, philosophy, personal experiences, and cinema. The aim is to merge the faces of the contemporary with the ancient, and vice versa, summoning the magic of these narratives to shape the creation of our scripts.
We invite you to find your own way through the Betal Pachisi story cycle.
SCHEDULE OUTLINE:
Every Saturday: KathaSaritSagara Reading
Every Sunday: Betal Pachisi Cycle
1st Unit – 3 Sundays – Narration of the Betaal Pachisi Cycle (BPC)
2nd Unit -3 Sundays – Contemporizing the Chosen Story -set in present times
3rd Unit – 2 Sundays – Fleshing out an re-telling the Contemporary Story
4th Unit – 2 Sundays – Script Development with Step Breakdown
5th Unit – 2 Sundays – Final Presentation of Script Drafts.
MODE OF INSTRUCTION:
Primarily English.
Hindi can be considered as a secondary language for interaction.
MAIN FACULTY – KAMAL SWAROOP:
Kamal Swaroop, a luminary in Indian cinema, is a two-time recipient of the President’s award and the Filmfare Award for his outstanding contributions as a film, television, and radio director, and screenwriter. Graduating in 1974 from the esteemed Film and Television Institute of India, Swaroop’s early student works garnered remarkable international acclaim, foreshadowing a career that has spanned over four decades. Collaborating with Sir Richard Attenborough on “Gandhi” in 1982 marked a pivotal moment, but it was Swaroop’s groundbreaking masterpiece, “Om-Dar-B-Dar” in 1988, that etched his name in cinematic history. With a career encompassing 42 years, Swaroop’s directorial prowess traverses diverse genres, showcasing a commitment to innovation and storytelling excellence. From the political canvas of “The Battle of Banaras” (2014) to the introspective “Pushkar Puran” (2017), and an intense exploration of renowned artist Atul Dodiya in “Atul” (2017), Swaroop’s filmography reflects a tireless dedication to capturing the varied tapestry of human expression within the cinematic art form.
SELECTION:
Selection will be based on a statement of purpose and general qualification. We shall respond to you within 4 days of your application. If selected, you will be requested to pay the fees within 4 days of selection intimation. Participation will be confirmed upon verification of payment.
CONTRIBUTION:
₹ 15,000 – For Indian Participants.
€ 400 – For International Participants.
Voluntary Contribution for Aurovilians.
CERTIFICATES:
Certificates of participation will be issued to those who fill up this Certificate Issuance Form
QUERIES:
For any queries, please write to: support_filminstitute@auroville.org.in or call / message +919969879319 (whatsapp and telegram only). Further details of the workshop can be shared upon request.
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