This week Umeshi Rajeendra graces her talent onto the Sri Lankan stage at the Lotus Room, BMICH on the 16th and 17th of March, 2024. ‘(Un)Thread’ is a forthcoming performance work by choreographer and dance artist Umeshi Rajeendra and will mark the premiere of her latest work amidst her international career as a dancer, dance educator, choreographer and movement coach in theatre, which has allowed her to gain experience in North America, Europe and South Asia, working with reputable artists and thinkers. 

Having started dancing at the age of 5, Umeshi became a dance artist and a choreographer over 12 years ago. Earnest in her immense gratitude for her artistic journey of dance thus far, she shared her vision to create a world-leading non-profit program which stages the development of socially conscious dance productions. This along with education in dance in the region of South Asia is an imperative vision for her. In line with her vision, her company MeshGround, which she co-founded with Shonaka Ranatunga, is both a dance company as well as a stage for artists and students of art to become further involved and educated in their art. Funding for the forthcoming ‘(Un)Thread’ will be raised purely to support the scholarship fund of MeshGround, a platform for Movement Arts.

In an interview, Umeshi demurred from revealing too many details about her forthcoming ‘(Un)Thread’ performance, wishing the audience to be surprised by it. Umeshi has revealed, however, that the performance is a call to the entire community to come, experience and engage with the work. According to Umeshi, ‘(Un)Thread’ attempts to encapsulate the unanticipated possibilities and potentials of being and belonging; the activities and constraints which shape our world whether it be past, present or future which feel unattainable. Such goings on in our modern-day world appear to be impossible to fully comprehend and perceive. In many ways, said Umeshi, this performance is a summons to take a closer and a deeper look at our surroundings, to develop an awareness as well as come together through the performance. She is an artist who does not enjoy the separation of the performance and the audience, she endeavors to eradicate that fine line that remains between the two in ‘(Un)Thread’.

Umeshi is an artist who firmly believes that each person in the theatre has an original and unique experience individually– extending to not only each audience member but each performer as well. She explains that this individual experience depends on how the person– whether they be in the audience or a performer, takes the performance in. Her hope with the forthcoming performance is for the spectators to be able to truly feel the encounter with (Un)Thread and to fully immerse themselves regardless of where or how it is being performed.

Umeshi Rajeendra

MeshGround is, in many ways, the dais upon which this performance is produced, according to Umeshi. MeshGround intends to make dance and education of dance accessible for all who may be interested. MeshGround was founded by a combination of artists and educators, including Umeshi Rajeendra herself, as a charitable platform and dance company. MeshGround is designed to uncover alternate ways of thinking through movement or dance. Pioneering experts in the field of dance art along with systems to inspire autonomous dance thinkers and shapers are inspired to play their vital role within society. The entire purpose is to bring in new and innovative methods of creative movement from every part of Sri Lanka and the world. The entire proceeds from ‘(Un)Thread’ are intended to go for the improvement of the arts; and thereby, creating a society which benefits all.

Umeshi Rajeendra is, in a word, passionate about creating work that enriches artistic conversations and explores different ways of being in the world, challenging ‘othering’ for a more equitable and socially conscientious society. Inspired by her desire for social, cultural and economic cohesion, Umeshi aspires to produce shows which provide knowledge and futuristic possibilities that provoke the mind, and yearns to critically engage the populace through movement.

Umeshi believes fervently that dance is an essential examination of culture, society and economics. She thoroughly enjoys her collaborations with performers and artists, writers and designers. Umeshi works across the global art world, meaning she chooses to create movement art which embraces our similarities as well as differences working with performers from all walks of life. She holds those who are committed to pushing the boundaries of the movement art world at the highest regard. Artists who practice challenging the very notion of the meaning of dance at this time are essential, she feels, for the betterment of this world. The current situations along with contemporary categories of forms, in many ways, are capable of shaping people and spaces hopefully to improve our world.

Umeshi Rajeendra through ‘(Un)Thread’ is creating an avenue for more people to be expressive through the means of understanding, creativity and art. While the world appears to be heading towards an ever-increasing array of trouble, war, and corruption, Umeshi and her crew are devoted to creating a space for individuals to learn, challenge, grow, laugh, enjoy and reimagine an alternate way of living through the power of creativity.

‘(Un)Thread’ will be showing on the 16th and 17th of March at the Lotus Room at BMICH as mentioned above. ‘(Un)Thread’ is conceived and choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra. Performers of (Un)Thread include: Anna Peter, Ashley Fargnoli, Batya Peter, Bhagya Virajani, Daham Anuradha, Lisara Gallage, Pathum Dharmarathna, Piyusha Sumanapala, Roshni de Bond, Shashika Madushan, Shonaka Ranatunga, Trish Fernandez and Wei Xie. The sound designers and musicians will include: Isuru Kuarasinghe, Sumudi Suraweera, Sarani Perera and Uvindu Perera. There will be musical performances from various parts of the world. (Un)Thread is written by Megan Dhakshini Shatrugan. Light design by Ryan Holsinger and costume design by Dinushika Seneviratne. Tickets are now available at tickets.lk.

Written by: Namalee Siriwardhane

Edited by: Kavinu Cooray