KOREA FOUNDATION

[Review] ‘Nanta’ Captures Hearts in the ‘Land of Languages’

The KF-hosted Korea Festival toured five Indian cities from October 23–November 21, featuring the non-verbal comedic performance Nanta. The first event was held in Vijayawada on October 23 to the enthusiastic welcome of the Indian audience.
  This occasion marked the first time that Nanta was performed in its entirety in India. The dynamic 90-minute comedy show appealed to people of all generations, young and old, many of whom came together with their families. The performance made headlines in Prabha News, Indian Express, and other local newspapers. The first-floor hall in Vijayawada, with its acoustics especially suited to the show, was packed to the rafters, and crowds continued to stream in through the gates in each of the five cities.
  In a country where there are as many as 22 official state languages, the non-verbal Nanta performance was a particularly appropriate medium through which to deliver Korean rhythms and artistic creativity, transcending cultural and language barriers alike.
  Interestingly, the performances across the five cities generated different responses from the audiences. In Vijayawada, the smallest city on the performance schedule, the spectators expressed appreciation for having the opportunity to take in the Korean troupe’s presentation. In Hyderabad, a major IT center, local media flocked to the performance, and the performers were beset by journalists looking for an interview. In Chennai, a city relatively familiar with Korean media and culture, young K-pop fans were milling around the venue even before the performance began. In the larger cities of New Delhi and Mumbai, such was the demand for tickets that the troupe was required to treat locals to a pair of shows.
  The first performance in New Delhi in particular was attended by many students, and the youngsters delighted in the creative use of traditional Korean beats throughout the contemporary theatrical performance.
After every show, the audience was invited to use photo zones in and outside the halls, sharing their impressions and praising the performance. The full-scale renditions of Nanta, presented as a part of the KF Korea Festival, were meaningful in that they brought outstanding Korean content not only to major cities but also to people in Central India that have had only limited contact with Korea.

#Nanta #India #Performance #Non-verbal