Abinayaa workshop conducted at the Bidayuh longhouse.
KUCHING: Festival-goers got a taste of classical acting during an interactive workshop at Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), as they got a one-on-one lesson on the art of ‘abinayaa’.
From expressions of happiness, love, disgust to anger, Savrithri Vellaithan from Unique Arts Academy (Malaysia) who conducted the workshop along with some dancers said that it was important to source the feeling from within so that their facial expressions would be natural and authentic.
Throughout the whole session, those taking part in the workshop learnt the art of acting in the tradition of Indian dance theatre by relying solely on their facial expressions and body movement without using words, music or even making any noise to make their characters come alive.
Unique Arts Academy dancers demonstrating the look of love in facial expressions and body language.
A fun and expressive workshop, towards the end it was mentioned that no matter what expression or emotion one was feeling, it was important that one found inner peace towards the end.
Meanwhile Dewan Lagenda was once again turned into a dance floor as Leanne Barbo from Auli taught Latvian dance moves to some 50 participants.
Accompanied by bagpipes and drums played by Auli, the crowd had a blast dancing around changing partners.
Auli bagpipe players playing some tunes for the Latvian dance workshop.
Attendees stepping into Latvian dance.
During the ‘Exhiliarating Eskitsa’ workshop, Genet Assefa from Krar Collective showed participants some dance moves which focused mainly on using the shoulders, chest and feet.
Patrons moving their shoulders and chest for the Ethiopian dance.
Festival-goers then got into the Malaysian dance groove during the interactive workshop at the Iban longhouse as they learnt the Malay joget during the Chakunchak workshop by SCV ETNIKA.
Visitors even put sarongs on to get into the feel and mood of the dance.
Malay joget workshop conducted at the Iban longhouse.
While festival-goers were having fun learning and dancing outside in the hot and humid weather during the workshops, about 100 RWMF attendees enjoying the music and air conditioned inside the theatre hall where Dya Singh from Malaysia and Derek Gripper from South Africa played from 2.15pm-4.15pm.