Teacher, The Tradition Bearer (58-min, Malaysia, 2017)
Title
Teacher, The Tradition Bearer
Genre
Documentary, Biography, History
Date of Project Completion
September 2017
Running Time
58-Minutes
Filming/Production Locations
Malaysia
Website:
http://www.teacherthemovie.com/
Language:
Tamil/English
Logline:
Teacher, The Tradition Bearer, is an intimate portrait of Malaysia’s legendary bharatanatyam teacher Indira Manikam, the founding principal of the Tanjai Kamala Indira Dance School (TKI), which was established in 1966. Filmed against the backdrop of a rehearsal for a production to mark the school’s fiftieth anniversary, the documentary is an exploration into the transformative power of art as well a tribute to the resilience, courage and triumph, of one woman’s journey toward becoming the tradition bearer.
Teacher, The Tradition Bearer
Genre
Documentary, Biography, History
Date of Project Completion
September 2017
Running Time
58-Minutes
Filming/Production Locations
Malaysia
Website:
http://www.teacherthemovie.com/
Language:
Tamil/English
Logline:
Teacher, The Tradition Bearer, is an intimate portrait of Malaysia’s legendary bharatanatyam teacher Indira Manikam, the founding principal of the Tanjai Kamala Indira Dance School (TKI), which was established in 1966. Filmed against the backdrop of a rehearsal for a production to mark the school’s fiftieth anniversary, the documentary is an exploration into the transformative power of art as well a tribute to the resilience, courage and triumph, of one woman’s journey toward becoming the tradition bearer.
"இயக்குனர் இந்திராணி கோபால் அவர்களது அசத்தலான படைப்பு ' டீச்சர்' இது ஒரு சரித்திர பதிவு. இந்திரா மாணிக்கம் அரை நூற்றாண்டு நடனகலை வல்லுநர் ஆவார். நூற்றுக்கணக்கான நடன ஆசிரியர்களை உருவாக்கி நம் மலேசிய இந்திய கலை உலகிற்குத் தந்தவர். அவரது புகழ் மேலோங்க எனது அகமகிழ்வான வாழ்த்துக்கள். இயக்குனர் இந்திராணி தனித்திறமை வாய்ந்த சிந்தனையாளர் என்பதை நிரூபித்துள்ளார். வாழ்க,வாழ்க." - Sangaratna Paramsothi
‘NATTUVA THILAGAM’ MRS. INDIRA MANIKAM, THE TEACHERWhen Indira Manikam boarded the Sithambaram ship in 1965 with her sister and grandfather, unbeknownst to her, a major turning point was waiting for her on Malayan shore. Having spent her entire childhood learning Bharathanatyam and completing her Arangentram in Tanjavor, India, the sisters took a leap of faith by establishing Tanjai Kamala Indira Dance School (TKI) in Kuala Lumpur, a year later.
The formative years of TKI hardened Indira in many ways, as she met the harsh realities of life, more glaringly the perception towards India classical dancing communities in Malaya, back then. While departing from the major stigma of Bharathanatyam being branded as a culture practiced by Devadasis in India, she realized that a similar perception lingers on Malayan shores. Worst, the dance form couldn’t even be differentiated from the common street dance. |
Nevertheless, she danced through the barriers, breaking the stereotype, dismantling old beliefs and eventually elevating the stature of the classical dance tradition. Sadly, her passion for dancing took an unfortunate turn upon her marriage, as her mother in law barred her from performing. Undeterred, she taught, choreographed and mentored many young Indian women by shaping them to break the barriers set forth by their forebears. She exuded knowledge and inspired them to live their dream.
TEACHER, The Tradition Bearer intimately documents Indira’s role as the a long time tradition bearer, one who kept this sacred tradition alive, vibrant and relevant, in all its splendid weightiness and dramatic vocabulary, in the past 50 years.
Through the lens of the legendary dance teacher, this documentary will capture her journey, explore the power of art, and above all, the courage and resilience of a woman’s spirit through various shades and vignettes that represents her feelings of joy, fear, powerlessness, courage and triumph, and reflect on how she came to be the tradition bearer she is.
TEACHER, The Tradition Bearer intimately documents Indira’s role as the a long time tradition bearer, one who kept this sacred tradition alive, vibrant and relevant, in all its splendid weightiness and dramatic vocabulary, in the past 50 years.
Through the lens of the legendary dance teacher, this documentary will capture her journey, explore the power of art, and above all, the courage and resilience of a woman’s spirit through various shades and vignettes that represents her feelings of joy, fear, powerlessness, courage and triumph, and reflect on how she came to be the tradition bearer she is.
Trailer
Gallery (Behind-the-Scene)
Contact Us
PRESS INQUIRIES
Maran Perianen, Producer
Far East Documentary Centre
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +6019 665 2538
www.fareastdoc.com
Indrani Kopal, Director
Far East Documentary Centre
Email: [email protected]
www.indranikopal.com
Tanjai Kamala Indira Dance School
Kamini Manikam
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +6012 914 9951
www.tki.com.my
PRESS-KIT
Click the link below to download TEACHER's press kit.
teacher_press_kit_sept_10.pdf | |
File Size: | 8700 kb |
File Type: |