This Sunday, the spotlight will be on a bowl of water, tea leaves and meditation, as Cabral Yard gets ready to host a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Showcased by performance artist Mai Ueda, the ceremony, also known as the ‘way of tea’, will take place on Sunday, the last day of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. The 37-year old artist (who lives and works in Japan, New York and India) was inspired to create her interpretation after exploring and participating in different tea ceremonies across the world.
Talking about her performance, Ueda says, “I’d only come to see the Biennale. But what I saw inspired me to stay back and contribute to it. The nature, people and movements I’ve experienced here inspired me to organise this tea gathering.” She has previously conceptualised ceremonies with distinct themes: dressed as a panda, in a parallel universe, and in a space designed to resemble the moon’s surface. In Fort Kochi, however, she will present a contemporary interpretation of the traditional service—which will involve a choreographed ritual of preparing and serving tea to guests at the venue.
Ueda insists that the process is not just about drinking tea, but also about aesthetics—preparing a bowl of tea and pouring it with pre-defined movements symbolises the spirit of leaving the real world behind and having no boundaries. Speaking on why she chose Cabral Yard as the venue, she explains, “I like Valsan Kolleri’s work space (the sculptor has been transforming the yard through the span of the Biennale) as it’s related with nature—the mud, leaves and the fresh air—and that’s what I am trying to incorporate into the ceremony, the solitude in nature.”
On March 29, at Cabral Yard, from 3 pm. Details: 2215297
Closing song
S Following the valedictory function at Durbar Hall on March 28, get set for some serious head-banging as Delhi-based Ska Vengers takes the stage. The seven-member band is bringing to town a blend of ska rhythms (a modern style of Jamaican music) with elements of punk, jazz and rap. From 6.30 pm onwards. Details: 2215297
S Ending the 108-day contemporary art festival on a musical note, versatile playback and ghazal singer, Shahabaz Aman, will be performing Sufi-rock music with his band KEF 1126. At the Pepper House, March 29, at 7 pm. Details:2215297