Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Infinite Saree is a theatre production which was created through interdisciplinary practice and explored between Life Science, Visual Arts, Carnatic Music and Theru-Kootho(Folk Theatre). The paper describes research methodologies that were engaged in exploring different streams of disciplines in creating Infinite Saree, and how they can be used as an educational tool in classroom teaching. The paper is divided into three aspects. For the first aspect, I present three research principles such as systematic enquiry, scientific perspective and symbolic representations, and how they were used to interpret the inter-relationships between the different disciplines. With the second aspect, I introduce scientific and visual thinking as educational tools to teach interdisciplinary practice. Within this line of discourse, I also introduce the concept of ஐக்கியம் (Aikiyam) that provides a platform for interpreting artistic practice through one’s own cultural perspectives. The third aspect illustrates how we developed community arts education programs in collaboration with several artistic communities through workshops like Bio-Arts Workshop, Dance Workshop and Music Workshop. These collaborations contribute to the creation of DNA Saree and DNA Carnatic which were the first of its kind in South Indian Arts. The paper concludes by addressing the importance of interdisciplinary teaching to be part of holistic learning in art education, and also, the significance of understanding one’s artistic practice through cultural perspectives.