manu

manu is a multifaceted exploration of Anuj's cultural identity as a first-gen Indian-American. Through dance and film, he delves into his diverse musical background, creating interconnected self-portraits in an evening-length performance.

Time moves through many abstractions of reality, distorting creation, transformation and destruction through dreams, people, our subconscious or even places; what does it mean to be one in a place of many?

Multidisciplinary in essence, this expansive project unveils the procedural and ambitious experimentation of dance, film, and live performance. After talking with Anuj, we were determined to bring something new and fresh to the stage. Although movement has always been part of my medium, my early experiments with dance in [A Shade of Light] and my work on [nuwarii] convinced me that dance had to be included in this project. I spoke with Lindsay, my housemate and a very talented dancer and choreographer, who was excited to choreograph for the diverse and challenging styles Manu proposed. We collaborated to realize the visions Eylithia and I had written and to expand the project's visual language.

Throughout a long semester of producing films and stage performances, we managed to shoot in more than ten locations, conduct a live rehearsal, organize a fundraiser event, and pack Oracle Egg’s stage. As the director and head producer, this project challenged my skills not only in the art form but also in balancing school work and personal life.