Meet my friend from India
Just yesterday I met up with my friend Ashwath from India, who is once again in Berlin. He is a rare species; not only is he a good friend but also a clown in India! Born in Kashmir, he's now based in Bombay and Delhi, a graduate from National School of Drama and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He founded a space in the mountains called Theatre Garage Project where the "Empty Space" is the prime concern. Ashwath has extensive theater training and experience, traveling and life experience. Basically it's fun to be with him. I was introduced through a common German theatre friend and met him few years ago in Pune, India where he was teaching.
Talking clowns, our understanding of clowns are quite similar. I've participated in some clowning workshops and done a tiny bit - it is by no means the makeup or specially colorful dresses that compose a clown. The pants too short or the sleeves too long according to the clown's own physical characteristics, have more effect than the colors or over dressing. It's not so much about being funny but true. The smallest mask is the red nose and with it you change into a clown. It's rather about connecting to people and for that sometimes being subtle is more and touching than big stuff. Ultimately the clown liberates you.
For Indians it's still a new concept and Ashwath is persistently trying to introduce the red nose concept in India.
In Europe, Ashwath is working together with the Red Noses and some Clown Schools in Germany, giving workshops etc. Here you can see him in action as the clown "Mickey C Power" in Berlin.
Anyhow, we had a great fun day in Kreuzberg. He as a "outsider" showed me around and introduced me to the Art Center Bethanien in Kreuzberg. Ha ha ha, I'll tell you about it in the next post, enough for today.
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