Theatre Costume
1986 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Akademi, London's Academy of Indian Dance, aims to present works deriving from the great traditions of Indian dance, but accessible to both eastern and western audiences. In 1986, they presented Sri V P Dhananjayan's Return of Spring, an adaptation from part of a famous Sanskrit poem, Kumara Sambhavan (Birth of Kumara), which has inspired many dramas, dances and films in India.
Craig Givens's designs also draw on traditional sources married to contemporary materials and techniques. Indian dancers traditionally wear very elaborate and intricate headdresses and accessories, beyond the budget of many small groups today. This charming headdress demonstrates that lack of finance is no bar to creating effective theatre costumes. It retains the authentic shape of a traditional Indian headdress, but has been made from a punched foil ribbon, making it light to wear yet surprisingly durable. The lack of weight in no way diminishes its 'authority,' which is conveyed partly by the height and partly by the bold 'arches' outlined over the mesh base.
Craig Givens's designs also draw on traditional sources married to contemporary materials and techniques. Indian dancers traditionally wear very elaborate and intricate headdresses and accessories, beyond the budget of many small groups today. This charming headdress demonstrates that lack of finance is no bar to creating effective theatre costumes. It retains the authentic shape of a traditional Indian headdress, but has been made from a punched foil ribbon, making it light to wear yet surprisingly durable. The lack of weight in no way diminishes its 'authority,' which is conveyed partly by the height and partly by the bold 'arches' outlined over the mesh base.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold foil, sequins, artificial flowers and adhesive tape |
| Brief description | Headdress for Sri V P Dhananjayan's dance drama Return of Spring, Academy of Indian Dance, 1986, designed by Craig Givens. |
| Physical description | Triplr-stepped small conical headdress ending in domed 'finial', of perforated gold foil ribbon. Around the base the gold open braid is trimmed with gold, green and red sequins. Around each upper 'step' is a band of artificial flowers in dark blue, pink and yellow with green foliage. The upper headdress is trimmed with coloured sequins. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Akademi |
| Object history | Return of Spring was choreographed by Sri V P Dhananjayan for Academy of Indian Dance (Akademi) in London in 1986. It was adapted from an episode in Kalidasa's famous Sanskrit poem Kumara Sambhavan (Birth of Kumara), which had frequently been adapted into drama, dance and film in India. To fulfil the aims of the Academy, V P Dhananjayan had to create a work accessible to both western and eastern audiences while keeping the choreography within the abilities of the performers. Kathakali and Bharata Natyam were used for the divine characters and rustic folk style for the humans. T V Gopalakrishnan's music used both south and north Indian melodies and percussions. The designs by Craig Givens were imaginatively executed, especially the headdresses, the bases of which were punched metallic ribbon; these were inexpensive to make and light to wear, but gave the impression of richness. |
| Summary | Akademi, London's Academy of Indian Dance, aims to present works deriving from the great traditions of Indian dance, but accessible to both eastern and western audiences. In 1986, they presented Sri V P Dhananjayan's Return of Spring, an adaptation from part of a famous Sanskrit poem, Kumara Sambhavan (Birth of Kumara), which has inspired many dramas, dances and films in India. Craig Givens's designs also draw on traditional sources married to contemporary materials and techniques. Indian dancers traditionally wear very elaborate and intricate headdresses and accessories, beyond the budget of many small groups today. This charming headdress demonstrates that lack of finance is no bar to creating effective theatre costumes. It retains the authentic shape of a traditional Indian headdress, but has been made from a punched foil ribbon, making it light to wear yet surprisingly durable. The lack of weight in no way diminishes its 'authority,' which is conveyed partly by the height and partly by the bold 'arches' outlined over the mesh base. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.12-2003 |
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| Record created | January 27, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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