Karylle brings ballet background, life experiences in Rama, Hari
By Cynthia Montojo
"Doing Rama, Hari is beautiful because it's work of five of our National Artists…as younger artists, it's also our responsibility to make sure we learn their work and that younger generation continue to know what these important works are, and how they're true to form and also relevant to times," Karylle said in interview with media proud to be part of long and fabled history of Filipino rock opera ballet Rama, Hari.
Actress-TV host first played Sita in 2012 and 11 years after, she's back breathing life into female lead role in the only Philippine production involving five National Artists.
Rama, Hari boasts of direction and choreography by National Artist Alice Reyes and music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, with lyrics and libretto by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, production design by National Artist Salvador Bernal and translations by National Artist Rolando Tinio.
Told through song and dance, production debuted in 1980 as part of Ballet Philippines' 10th Season with Karylle's Sita originated by Kuh Ledesma.
For Karylle, what makes biggest difference then and now in her portrayal and performance are her life experiences. She also had more time to dig deep into great Hindu epic Rama, Hari is based on, Ramayana, is about King Rama who must rescue his abducted wife Sita.
Asked why this story needs to be retold, she said, "for Southeast Asian region, it is story that is very important. It has spanned for many generations. And it's good to learn about other people's cultures, other religions, since this is about Hindu religion. "For example, si Rama is reincarnation of god Vishnu, and my character of Lakshmi…ang tawag nila dun, avatar na ako ni Lakshmi kasi yung mga gods sa Hindu religion nag-re-reincarnate…so love of Rama and Sita spans several years, kind of like hit K-drama Goblin," she related.
Karylle finds herself anew in her favorite territory, ballet, in Rama, Hari. She recalled how she got into dance form. "Because I have scoliosis, my mom Zsa Zsa Padilla had scoliosis as child, I went to school at Virra Mall Greenhills, our school shared space with taekwondo studio… I was part of Amelia Garcia Yulo's ballet repertory, so, being onstage with ballet group is very, very special to me, that's why I like to feed them laughs, alam mo yun…growing up with ballerinas was special thing… family for sure…we would go on trips to beach, so, ever since I was young I was dancing... I had thought one day, I would be prima ballerina… I still dream that I'm super good but I'm better in my dreams than in real life… siguro din nalang yun ang nangyayari kasi Rama, Hari is like multiverse… Sita is me and dancer as well…parang naghahalo yung anyo naming," she said.
Worth-noting is that Karylle has been accepting one theater work after another since 2022. She said it was pandemic that inspired her to actively pursue stage projects these days.
"Just thinking I would never be able to step onto stage again really opened my eyes to truth in my heart that I am theater performer," Karylle shared.
"I love to do it... I love challenges… I love art, I love people, I love everything that goes with it … sound of orchestra,dancers stretching on side, dancers dancing their hearts out."
In Rama, Hari, in particular, she feels privileged to be in company of masters. "I'm very, very fortunate to be surrounded with National Artists Ms. Alice Reyes and Mr. Ryan Cayabayab. Mrs. C Emmy Cayabyab is also helping me with my music classes," she said.
"All singers with us, my alternates Shiela Valderrama and Nica Tupas, we all have this wonderful energy that we share as Sita… 'di ba parang nakatutuwa rin yun na marami kayo playing same role…some of us are alternates, and some of us, yun nga are multiverse referring to dancers... sabay kaming nagiging Sita…ang saya gampanan yung role na ito."
When audiences watch her in Rama, Hari, her goals are clear. "I want to make sure na naririnig nila yung napakagandang likha ni Bienvenido Lumbera kasi napakaganda nung Filipino language," she said. "Of course, music of Mr. C, he will be playing piano for orchestra, which will be conducted by his son Toma. Beautiful connections are also there. These are things na parang nakatutuwa.
"Audiences would be able to read as well English translation of another National Artist, Mr. Rolando Tinio… I would love for people to really understand story and to hear beautiful words."
Karylle also loves fact that she's surrounded by young people in this 2023 edition of Rama, Hari such as Orchestra of Filipino Youth and newly-formed Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.
"One of nice things during this time is we have youth orchestra... it's also very exhilarating to know that it's our music scholars who come from all over the country… ARDP is also very young group, naka-e-excite din because energy of young performers is something else… infectious…if you have young ones who are very excited to step onto stage for first time or for first couple of times, atmosphere is different…it's electric," she said.
Rama, Hari 2023 premiered at Metropolitan Theater in Manila and will be performed at Samsung Performing Arts Theater on Sept. 22 and 23. Tickets are available at Ticketworld.
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