72 Privileges [.....]:
‘It is precisely this balance between exile
and the emotion of the privileged which forms the unique originality of our
Breathing in Reverse. As will be clear already, there is no past or future in
Exile, only an immediate present’. 2012
Here we can see how the concept of tolerance
took shape by promoting a kind of balance between different religious groups.
This could be an example for us in the West.
Please note:
After being in such a close proximity to the history of Kochi and
bumping into the story of the copper plates which tells us about the 72
privileges that were granted to the Jewish and Christian communities by the
last king of the Chera dynasty, Cheraman Perumal (962-1019 AD) - I have adopted the number 72 to be the main measurement of
my work.
The 72 Copper plates (42cm x
30cm) are pierced with the star constellations found in the cosmos above the
city of Jerusalem, and arranged diagonally on a long 22 meter wooden table that
dissects the room. Woven throughout is
5000 meters of tangled white cotton thread that represents the circumference of
the old city of Jerusalem.
Brahmin king Cheraman
Perumal, the last of the Chera Dynasty, granted 72 privileges to the Jews and
Christians of Kochi, and inscribed them in ancient Tamil onto copper
plates.
1. Ambari (Howdah on an
elephant) 2. Ankaram (courtyard) 3. Antholam (palanquin) 4. Ammoolam (tax
gathering) 5. Arpu (cheers) 6. Aala vattam (Peacock feather fan) 7. Aana savari
(Elephant riding) 8. Uchippoovu (Head Turban) 9. Kacha (Robes) 10. Kacha puram
(Over coat) 11. Kankanam (Bangles) 12. Kaal thala (Anklet Rings) 13. Kaal
chilambu (Anklets Bells) 14. Kurava (Tongue Cheers) 15. Kuthirasavari (horse
ride) 16. Kuzhal (Bugles) 17. Kodi (Flag) 18. Kaikara (Hand Ornaments) 19.
Kaithala (Bangles) 20. Cheli (a kind of tax) 21. Chemkombu (another tax) 22.
Chenda (Drum) 23. Thamburu (String Instruments) 24. Thazha kkuda (Royal Palm
Umbrella) 25. Ner vaal (Straight Sword) 26. Pattu chatta (Silk Coat) 27.
Patturumal (Silk Handkerchief) 28. Pattumundu (Silk dothi) 29. Pakal vilakku
(Day Lamp) 30. Padi pura (Entry Gate House) 31. Pathakkam (Necklace) 32. Panni
pudava (Embroidary Robes) 33. Paravathani (Carpet) 34. Pavaada (Royal Cloth)
35. Pallakku (Palanquin) 36. Pavada (Royal Cloth) 37. Panchavadyam (Five
Instrument Orchestra) 38. Pandal Vithanam (Pandal Decoration) 39. Pathinezhu
Parichamel Kathruthwam (Control over the 17 Low castes) 40. Maddalam (Hand
Drum) 41. Manarkolam (Platforms) 42. Mudi (Crown) 43. Mudikuzhabharanam (Head
ornaments) 44. Mammoolam (Tax) 45. Methi adi (Wooden Chappels) 46. Raja vaadyam
(Royal Orchestra) 47. Raja Sankham (Irippu) (Honour to sit in court with the
King) 48. Rajabogham (Honor to eat with King) 49. Veena (String Instrument) 50.
Deevetti (Indigenous Torch) 51. Thookku manchal (Swinging Cot) 52. Thondon 53.
Thoranam (Decoration) 54. Thol vala (Armpit Bangle) 55. Theendalkattal
(untouchability) 56. Nada (Cheers) 57. Nayattuhubhogam (Privilege for hunting)
58. Naikudiparisha 59. Nedizakuda (Royal Umbrella) 60. Nettipetti (Cloth Box)
61. Nettikettu (Head Dress) 62. Veera vaadyam (Heroic Bugles) 63. Veera madalam
64. Veera srimkhala (Royal Chain) 65. Viri panthal (Honour to errect Pandal)
66. Venchamaram (Royal Fan) 67. Sankhu (conch) 68. Sangu Edam Piri (Conch with
left screw) 69. Sankhu Valampiri (conch with right screw) 70. Bhoomi
Karamozhivu (land tax evation) 71. Nayattu (Hunting) 72. Paalamarangal (Forest
concession)
The accompanying 72 shadow
drawings (42cm x 30cm), which were drawn with a black indian ink on various
tracing papers are sawn together with white thread into a sheet of music
notes. The 72 drawings are in fact a
visual guide to the history and the significance of the 72 privileges.
PERFORMANCE
The performance featuring 8 public figures of diverse religious denominations and a secular person, who are reading aloud, Back-to-Back, from their scriptures /book of influence in an impromptu fashion.
At the same time, 72 pupils from diverse religious denominations took an active role by reading aloud and burning the 72 privileges inside 72 wine glasses.
Remember, the new sound created by the reading of the 8 persons, together with the 72 pupils is already advancing into 'a ready to hand' meaningful gesture; This is the language of Art. There is no doubt,
Breathing by Breathing,
one is coming closer and closer to the impulses of the tradition of secularity which appear to dominate our creative desire.
Please note: to reach the full effect of the Performance, one should watch the 2x registration videos at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jssNAgGBuO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wocZraGifBE
The Secret
To understand the inner meaning of this art-work,
one should lie on the floor under the wooden table.
72 Privileges [.....] - [A second chance]:
‘It is precisely this balance between exile and the emotion of the privileged which forms the unique originality of our Breathing in Reverse. As will be clear already, there is no past or future in Exile, only an immediate present’. 2012 - 2013
