Viva Kultura

22/02/2023

Our all amazing Sankhya ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ at one if the most important Dance Festivals of India - where Beauty meets Arts and All Stars meet their Lights❤️❤️❤️❤️
They start 1h50min into this link-please see and enjoy❤️

मध्य प्रदेश शासन संस्कृति विभाग का आयोजन

06/10/2020

“Ready?” 

“Yeah. If you’ve got time?”

She always does, somehow.

We make our way over to a quiet part of the currently empty auditorium and settle down to our pre-show ritual. 

Pulling out my kindle, I relax and get as comfy as possible. We will be here for a while. My hair is long and annoying and making it any kind of stage-worthy requires more patience than I possess. 

Yugala is the soul of patience. Being with her for just half an hour before the show works wonders on my temperament. I’m always uptight before a show. So, sitting with her as her fingers deftly work their magic has a calming and soothing effect on me, even though some days we don’t even say more than a few words.. And when she’s done she always has a gentle smile for me before rushing off to help someone else. 

In my head I think of her as a little pixie, cute and sweet, a little shy, but also bubbly and full of mischief. 

I wish I could speak Russian just so I could properly understand her stories. She’s so animated that even if half the time I don’t fully understand the words, it still has me grinning ear-to-ear and is the most entertaining thing I’ve heard that day.

Her patience and desire to serve is a constant source of admiration for me. When we have Sita Rama rehearsals she will come and sit through the entire thing, scene after scene, just to be present for her own part which (though she completely rocks it) only lasts for about 4 minutes.

Most of us, the second we’re not on for our scene, instantly find about 1000 “extremely important” things to do that don’t involve sitting quietly in the wings where we’re supposed to be.
 
Yugala is always helping others, and I always know that if I need assistance she’ll be the first person to say yes. Her willingness to help is so hardcore that I’ve several times come below stage, during shows, to find her frantically sewing and repairing costumes while the anxious actor bounces nervously on their toes wondering if they will make their scene.

Though she never pushes herself forward she is a splendid performer, and her quiet determination and eagerness for service keeps me humble and inspired.

Rasa

03/10/2020

The sunshine draws water from the ocean, in the same way that in time, desires are drawn from our heart.

Remember, though the rain may fall on it, the ocean is not in want for any water.

Somehow, our desires have been drawn from us, but true mysticism reveals the ocean of desires within,

self-satisfied in a loving relationship with the divine.

"A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires — that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still — can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires." (Bhagavad Gita 2.70)

Reflections by
Pantomime
Voice Narration

28/09/2020

Patience is not only the ability to wait, but to keep a good attitude whilst waiting.

With the events of 2020 we get the sense of a surreal existence.

Maybe this life is just part of a grander cosmic play; actors on a stage, inhabiting one body/costume after another only to change roles again and again.

Sometimes we’re the king 🤴 sometimes we’re sweeping the streets.

But no matter how painful, serious, difficult or emotional things may get, the curtain will eventually close for us all.

Best we play our part, as the script suggests.

Fascinating that the word script and scripture share the same etymology. 🤔

21/09/2020

Freedom. There are endless songs, writings, movements and revolutions that strive for it. Our hearts yearn for freedom because we know what it is like when our freedom is taken away. Whether real or imagined, throughout our lives we all experience prison to some degree. Either through our consciousness, minds, or even just this lockdown we are all dealing with.

When we went to Brazil ten years ago we were given a unique opportunity; the chance to perform in a real prison.

Over 100 inmates sat hard-eyed and expressionless as our boys crammed onto a tiny makeshift stage and nervously began to perform. The room was small, crowded and full of the anger and despair that permeates such places.

Afterwards, wide-eyed and amazed, they spoke of how tense and nerve wracking it had been. But how, as they came to the climax of the show, these hardened and tough men experienced a complete transformation.

You see, every Viva Kultura show begins and ends with Kirtan, which is an ancient form of Mantra Yoga. The word 'mantra' means to free, or uplift the mind. Mantras free us from the prisons we find ourselves in. Physical, mental or emotional. By meditating on the right mantra, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can uplift ourselves and go beyond the material and connect to the peace and bliss that is natural to the soul.

So when our boys ended the show with a short Kirtan, they were privileged to witness firsthand the power and transformative effect that Kirtan has. They watched as the prisoners slowly opened up, the hard walls of their experiences in this world melted and the deep joy of the soul began to shine forth. Many of them even got to their feet singing and dancing.

That is the beauty and mystery of Kirtan. You are elated, transported. You are in this world but not of it. You go beyond the physical and connect with the essence of everything, the soul.

It is universal. We experience this, no matter where in the world we go. Be it on the beaches of Poland, the crowded streets of India, or a prison in Brazil, this unique experience is accessible to all. Young and old, male or female, black or white. Kirtan is the link to the natural state of all beings; the joy of the soul.

09/09/2020

Ok people, I’m gonna play favorites a little here. So sue me.

Abhai is one of my favorite people on the team. 

We all have those people that things are just easy with, the relationship flows, and they’re just good company. 

Kindness, generosity and humor are just a few qualities on the list that make Abhai one of the easiest people to get along with. He’s one of the few people I know I can chill with and then go away feeling much lighter and happier. He's also a down to earth, hard working, you-can-rely-on-me kind of guy - the kind of friend that will go out of his way to help you out.

He is hilarious and the absolute king of deadpan humor. He’ll say something so outlandish with such a perfect poker face that you’ll wonder if he was actually serious - until you notice the little gleam of amusement in his eyes, and realize that he got you good.

Humor aside, I’ve also had some very philosophical discussions with him while he drives us here and there. Or, in the middle of rehearsals, after we’ve just spent 3+ hours crawling around making monkey noises, he’ll randomly turn to me and ask a deep spiritual question, like what my meditation was like that morning. 

Managing a Viva Kultura show and 30+ artists takes a lot of leg work, and Abhai is one of those people running around helping to organize our crazy little family. He deals with the nitty-gritty stuff like, “Hey Abhai, I need to go shopping. Can you drive me there tomorrow at 6 am? Thanks”. Or, “Are you going to the shop? Can you buy one or two things for me. Here's my two page list.”

He’s also part of the team that sets up our stage, performs, and then packs it all up afterwards. Not an easy job, I promise you.

His level of determination and team spirit is something I aspire to. 

Rasa

Ps. Fun fact: Abhai was one of our original monkeys, back in a version of Sita Rama where we had an actual trampoline on stage. His monkey game is strong, and his vibe is what inspired my own portrayal.

02/09/2020

There's nothing like donning a blue overall to make a guy feel exceedingly manly and ready to lift heavy things!

A few good men at our Polish tour stand at the ready to get rough and tough as the site crew, to set up and break down every festival.

A truck is transformed into an outdoor stage; beams and sails are made into a cheerful carnival of colourful tents; a hundred benches are unpacked; the sound and lights are set up; and all sorts of delicious snacks are devoured ☺️

These guys are a motley crew of young and old; Russian and African; quiet and bombastic; practical and scholarly...

But they have one thing in common: Unflinching faith in the importance of the mission - to impart enlightenment and uplifment to the summer holiday goers on the Baltic coast of Poland.

And so there is no day too cold and wet; no site too muddy or dusty; no beam too heavy; no screw too tight; nothing broken unfixable; and no night too late or morning too early.

The site crew are Viva Kultura's unsung heroes! They are absolutely essential to what we do!

Karuna

26/08/2020

500 views. Ok, what does that mean? Did they actually view it, or did it flash briefly by on their screen as they entered their second hour of scrolling?

Will people even like this? Is it of any value to them, viewing our arts this way? How can they even get the full experience like this? How will they feel the beauty and emotion of this through their tiny glowing screens?
Will they even watch the whole thing? There are so many other things to look at…

As we draw to the close of what would have been our Summer tour in Poland, I can't help but reminisce and contemplate the change in our artistic expression. Trying to transplant our arts and productions to the virtual reality of the internet has been an enormous shift for us.

Attempting to share the essence of our productions and find new ways to express our arts, while being spread out across the globe is a challenge.

Whereas before, we had a visible, specific audience for whom we performed and could direct our energy at, we now share our creativity amid the noise and bustle of social media. And to an audience who did not come specifically with an aim to view and appreciate.

Our performers now find themselves amid the endless stream of conversations, memes, selfies, food pics, and cat videos. Never in my life did I think we would have a more difficult time capturing people's attention than at an outdoor performance!

How simple those days now feel.

Pre-pandemic, we could direct our performance toward a particular type of audience, tailoring the experience to their needs. These days, we perform blind, so to speak. Unable to see who is watching, what their experience is or whether they are actually watching at all…

A challenge indeed.

My favorite part of performing used to be seeing the audience. Watching their faces and emotions as they took in what we had to offer. The kids especially are always a pleasure to entertain. Their joy and eagerness is so readily available on their faces. I remember times when the songs in our puppet shows were so well known that the children would sing along and dance with us.

I suppose this is the part where I’m supposed to tell you something amazing and inspiring about how we overcame the challenges of online performance. We haven’t though. We’re still working through it, trying to adjust to our new audience, and trying to facilitate our artists in a new way of expression. Most days it feels like an uphill climb.

My hope is that there are some of you out there reading this who find something of value in what we do, and that you will continue on this journey with us, exploring and enjoying the creative process along the way.

As our team leader likes to say, “I don’t see challenges, I see opportunities.”

Rasa

21/08/2020

⭐Check out the full Sunrise video here⭐:
https://youtu.be/S5KrRcQQLGo

We all love a good sunrise, a new day breaking, the transformation of the morning sky.

The sunrise brings illumination, hope and a new beginning. But for those on the path of self-realization, the sun not only rises on the outside, it rises within us as well.

Bhakti Vinoda Thakura, a 19th century Vaisnava saint, has written a devotional song specifically meant to be sung at dawn. He describes how the Holy Name of God, when sung sincerely, rises in the sky of one's own heart; destroying the darkness of ignorance and uncovering our true selves.

Viva Kultura's 'Sunrise' is an attempt to bring some light to your life through our music and dance.

Dance and Choreography by Yulia Volkova and Luda Volkova

Video by Yuri Golygin

Music by Viva Kultura
Composed & Arranged by Premananda Kirtan das
Vocals by Jade Green
Produced by Wynand Fourie

19/08/2020

There is something about the aroma of fresh books that's totally intoxicating. That clean, crisp smell full of promise that is difficult to define. The excitement of the endless ideas and thoughts that await inside.

If you love our shows, you’ll love our books. And if you love books, you’ll love our shows, because behind everyone of our shows is a great book. These books have romance, comedy, heartbreak, adventure, philosophy, wisdom, and everything else between their pages. They are a never ending source of inspiration for our directors, musicians and performers.

For some of us, it's the characters and the journey they take that spark our interest, and for others it's the timeless wisdom that can be found on every page.

We use every medium we have to express the depth and joy of these books. Whether it be through hip-hop, aerial silks, music, or theatre, all of our artists find inspiration for their acts in these epic books like Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and Krishna Book.

In fact, we are so excited to share these books with you, that at the end of one of our main productions a lead character gives one to the audience as a gift.

Our love for these books is the basis behind every festival or event we do. And while our artists are always finding novel ways to interpret them into visually stunning performances, or heart melting music, we also present them in a much more accessible way.

You will find a dedicated book tent at every Viva Kultura festival availing these amazing products as part of our unique Viva Kultura ‘merch’.

Indradyumna Swami, the Traveling Monk, has been studying these books for over 40 years and he is a special feature of our events. He actually gives a public speech at each festival on the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. His eloquence and realization inspire many audience members to take a book home with them, and he personally signs them with a dedication.

Be assured that whoever or wherever you are, there is something in these books for you.

And if you don’t like reading, well, that’s why Viva Kulura is here - to bring the book alive on stage!

Books are the Basis! @ Poland