He-Rose exemplifies the power of the Indo-French cultural collaboration with artists from diverse backgrounds coming together to set yet another example of creativity. This is the result of a 3- week intensive residency that took place last August at Adishakti Auroville with Alliance Française Pondicherry. Eight students from ENSATT four of whom belong to the school’s acting department and four others

from the technical department with various specializations in light and sound design costumes etc. were invited to train and work on the staging of the play with Adishakti professionals under the mentorship of Director Nimmy Raphel.

At the heart of He-Rose lies a profound inquiry into the nature of heroism. Drawing parallels between iconic figures such as Arjuna from the Mahabharata and Achilles from the Iliad the production challenges conventional notions of heroism inviting audiences to contemplate the interplay between vulnerability and courage. Through a series of thought-provoking performances and workshops the project aims to celebrate the multifaceted nature of heroism emphasizing the universality of human.

About ENSATT

ENSATT National Superior School of Arts and Techniques of Drama is a French public school which trains students for all performance linked occupations. They learn all components of artistic creation: scriptwriting stage direction acting sound lightings scenography costume administration and technical management. ENSATT’s pedagogic policy encourages an experience-based learning process: students during internships or creations train with French and foreign professionals. No hierarchy could exist between Arts and Techniques. Each discipline includes both aspects which are unique essential and revealed in the collective strength. Since 2018 a proactive and militant policy is implemented to ensure an access to the world artistic repertoires of America Africa Asia Europe and Oceania to ENSATT’s students. Following the He-Roes adventures and the forthcoming signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi India has emerged as a significant partner for ENSATT in the global landscape.

About Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research

Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research is a contemporary theatre research and repertory company near Pondicherry India. It is a place where they engage in performance researches which enable the group to develop a unique theatrical language. These research findings are spread around through residential workshops open to artists from varied disciplines. Adishakti reaches out to other performance groups artists and idea generators to evolve its own art practices workshops residencies retreats seminars and performances in a place that encourages hybrid expression. To quote its founder and late Veenapani: “The answer is in being hybrid; to nurture old knowledges but also to always be pluralistic in order not to be conditioned by positions and ideologies”.