review of book launch

4 May 2021. Asian Civilisations Museum 

It was a lovely evening, to celebrate art and its posterity in a time of change and uncertainty.  Just that afternoon a slew of new guidelines were announced to protect us from the epidemic. As the world reels from the relentless onslaught of microscopic germs,  it was precious relief to disappear into the world of architecture and dance, brought to the fore through words and photography, in the process bridging cultures across oceans and time, truly no mean effort by dancer-writer Mohanapriyan Thavarajah . 

The evening started with a video relating a dancer's quest to find out more about Cambodia and Khemer art and dance through the study of the amazing Ankor Wat. It was powerful to hear of how the tides of time and art worked to get us to this point, to this lovely book . It started in 2013, when Priyan was involved in a dance production based on the timeless sculptures in Ankor Wat. He was so fascinated he went on to read and research more on the connections and pathways thru history that led to the construction of this amazing temple and how it stands testimony to the culture and dance of the time it was constructed in. What struck me most was this intricate tapestry woven through history, cultures, mythology, dance and sculpture.

This was an especial treat for me in the audience for my role in the world ordnance is that of the rasika. i cannot dance myself but I love to watch beautiful bharathanatyam unfold before my eyes. 

I've watched these lovely productions, Angkor the Untold Story, The churning of the milk ocean and Alapadma and Angasa and Aparna? 

I've travelled to Angkor Wat and marvelled at the beauty there. and above all, I am  a Literature student at heart. to now read  a book that puts these ideas all together, it's a treat. To marvel at the timeless in a time of intense change is especially poignant. 

I was transported back my Art History class where we studied the marvels of Greek architecture and mythology an culture and how such a book then sent me all the way to Athens to see first hand the marvellous ruins. Sitting there in the audience, I was thinking of how this book could open my eyes to the marvels of architecture culture and mythology in our region. For me I see this as a powerful contribution to the world of dance and architecture and mythology and I can't wait to revel in the glossy pages that beckon me.