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Showtime

Varun and his puppets are off to Switzerland

Varun Narain, a contemporary Indian puppeteer and his puppets will travel to Berne in August 2007 as part of the Artist-in-Residence programme. Invited by Schlachthaus Theater on a three-month residency, Varun hopes to see the work of his Swiss peers and to explore the possibilities of cross-cultural collaboration in object theatre. A contemporary puppeteer, Varun’s work has been much appreciated and has drawn praise both nationally and internationally. Varun’s characters are bold and highly emotive and sensual. One of his best-known productions, 1001 Indian Nights followed by his recent performance The Dusk Bride Melodrama showcased his skill and talent and attracted rave reviews. Schlachthaus Theater , in Berne has invited Varun on a short residency where he will get the opportunity to introduce his work to Swiss audiences.

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The Dusk Bride Melodrama

Synopsis: The dusk bride Melodrama is a story about the Maharaja of Sunset Kingdom, his beautiful dusk bride and an ambitious courtesan viewed through the Buddhist philosophy of rebirth. One day the Maharaja, a vain and debauched monarch meets a beautiful woman. In a drunken stupor, he marries the woman and makes her his consort. On discovering that the Maharaja is having an affair with the courtesan the queen dies of a broken heart. The kingdom is shocked at the turn of events. The king in an effort to cover up the scandal sends the courtesan for a plastic surgery. The courtesan now takes on the form of a conceited rock star. Meanwhile the compassionate life force of the dusk bride has entered the transient realm after death. The dusk bride surveys various identities and chooses to be reborn as a poor humble boy. A twist of fate brings the poor boy back to the palace. As the story unravels, the dusk bride returns to her rightful place in the palace resolving her past and overcoming the limitations of karma.