CRA’P Network projects 2026
CRA’P, with the support of the Institut Ramon Llull, is collaborating with the Indian centres Hindustan Kalari Sangham and Kalarigram to conduct an artistic residency focused on creation and research for the PER COS SIÓ project by Esther Freixa and Jordi Rallo.
PER COS SIÓ is an ‘impro-vision’ duo based on the sounds of the tablas and the body in Kalaripayattu. These two disciplines, both originating in India, converge in the collaboration between Jordi Rallo and Esther Freixa, giving rise to new movements, new sounds and new ‘impro-visions’. This is an innovative exploration centred on Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art from southern India. This practice, which is still passed down today in the traditional manner from master to disciple, is deeply linked to the classical dance and theatre of the Kerala region (Kathakali) and to the ritual theatre known as Teyyam. Esther Freixa has been travelling regularly to India since 2012 to learn this discipline under the guidance of her teachers at Hindustan Kalari Sangham and Kalarigram. Being able to share this research with the teachers, practitioners and, ultimately, the local audience in India enriches the process and provides access to elements that are not available from here.
The goal of this residence is to raise awareness of the project in India, within the context where the practice of Kalaripayattu remains very much alive to this day. In recent years, both Hindustan Kalari Sangham and Kalarigram have been exploring ways to intertwine Kalaripayattu with other art forms such as theatre and dance; they are staging productions and creating works with local artists to explore more contemporary forms of expression, which is why this residence is of particular interest to them. They are very interested in how we in Catalonia understand their traditional art forms, and how we give them a contemporary perspective.
The aim of the residence is thus to establish a dialogue between contemporary Catalan artists interested in tradition, and traditional Indian artists interested in current trends.
With the support of the:
