The bottom Line
 |
| Royal Falcon Musical Kushi and Arjan in Flight Photo Copyright Protected © [G & H Studios Courtesy IGS NOW] |
The Royal Falcon Musical is an hour long feature adapted from the book The Royal Falcon written by Jessi Kaur and illustrated by Pammy Kapur. Scenes from the book have been set to music with lyrics based on translations from the Sikh's holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib.
Expressive dance depicts the story of a young Sikh boy Arjan, played by soon to be 10 year Tegh Zarovar Singh Dhillon. Arjan is angry at a fellow student for stealing a precious possession. He tells his trouble to Kushi, a name meaning "happiness" which he has given to a painting of Tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji's royal falcon, played by 15 year old Cara Kientz. The falcon comes to life and mystically transports Arjan through time, showing the boy examples of compassion and helping him to experience empathy. With Kushi's help, Arjan's emotions go through a transformation and he is able to replace frustration and annoyance with kindness and concern.
A culturally diverse cast of actors appeals to a wide spectrum audience with their musical message of compassion and unity.
Pros
- English language medium.
- Appeals to a diverse audience.
- Charming and delightful scenes.
- Promotes compassion and sharing.
- Tastefully executed dance and lyrics.
Cons
- Limited showings.
- Raises controversial issues not present in the book.
Description
The Royal Falcon Musical Play
 |
| Royal Falcon Musical Anger Dance Photo Copyright Protected © [G & H Studios Courtesy IGS NOW] |
- Concept and Development by Jessi Kaur and Reshma Singh
- Based on book The Royal Falcon by author Jessi Kaur
- Adapted for stage by Tony Kientz
- Directed by Tanna Herr and Tony Kientz
- Music composed by Manesh Judge and Mike Anand
- Lyrics by Jessi Kaur, Tanna Herr and Tony Kientz
- Choreographed by Cara Kientz and Reshma Singh
- Costumes designed by Kitty Lew (Birds)
- Scene Settings painted by Kientz and Sarab Jit Singh
- Spotlight by Brigid Godfrey
- Produced by IGS NOW
- Copyright © 2011 IGS NOW
Cast and Characters
Main:
- Kushi the Royal Falcon - Cara Kientz
- Arjan - Tegh Zoravar Singh Dhillon
Family:
- Young Arjan - Ronak Singh Monga
- Father Bhupi - Jagjot Singh
- Mother Meeta - Charan Kanwal Singh
- Sister Bani - Harzuri Kaur Dhillon
- Cousin - Sufi Kaur
- Cousin - Josh Singh
Classroom:
- Teacher Mrs Fernandez - Ren Hanami
- Tyler - Jackson Kientz
- Penelope - Zeta Weiss
Battlefield:
- Bhai Kanhaiya - Jagjot Singh
- Angry Soldier - Inder Monga
- Voice reciting Gurbani - Gurjot Singh
- Soccer/Soldier/Student - Constantin Cole
- Soccer/Skateboard/Soldier/Student - Kieran Godfrey
- Soccer/Skateboard/Soldier/Student - Jaun Santos - Vasquez
- Soldier/Student - Siffat Kaur Kohli
- Student - Emilia Santos - Vasquez
- Soldier - Keerat Singh
- Singer - Jaspreet Singh
Guide Review - The Royal Falcon Musical Play
 |
|
Royal Falcon Musical Mom Ties Arjan's Patka Photo Copyright Protected © [G & H Studios Courtesy IGS NOW] |
Ajran's Room
The curtains open and dancers appear, the youngest only about seven years of age. Throwing their arms, scowling and stomping in time with music, they express Arjan's rage and frustration at having a treasured possession stolen, and being accused by his parents of losing it.
Arjan's parents appear in his room, and order him to bed. His sister bids him good night, her remark about bedbugs sets the tone for a lively, and sometimes comic, drama. I'm a bit perplexed in regards to the role of Arjan's mother. I'm unable to recognize her as a Sikh by her costume, bare head, knee length skirt, pumps and panty hose. However her ease at tying his patka (small turban) is a skill which comes only with much practice. But then, I think back 25 years or so, transported in time to my own distant past, I recognize myself, a mother who expected her son to appear as a Sikh without doing so herself.
Alone in his room, Arjan picks up a portrait of Tenth Guru Gobind Singh with his baaj, the renowned royal falcon. Arjan pours out his troubles to the falcon he call "Kushi" when suddenly she appears beside him in all her royal splendor. Flitting about the stage as she aids Arjan in recovering his stolen property, Kushi steals the show completely with her saucy manner. A feathered headdress states the position of the royal falcon in the Tenth Guru's court as well as any crown. I can't help but feel that a few more feathers placed strategically in the costume portraying Tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji's baaj would be appropriate for modesty's sake in a Sikhism setting. However, I am utterly charmed and delighted by the caricature and the ease in which it is played.
Kushi's Flight
Tyler's Room
 |
| Royal Falcon Musical Skateboard Bullies Photo Copyright Protected © [G & H Studios Courtesy IGS NOW] |
Arjan expresses dismay when he see's Tyler's inescapable living environment. A group of soccer players appear next giving us a glimpse into Tyler's own dreams of stardom with their dance. Arjan discovers the sleeping Tyler clutching his missing prized possession and attempts to reclaim it.
Arjans's Past
Kushi next transports Arjan to his past in a scene which is not part of the original book, and is written expressly for the play. Arjan witnesses the compassion of a girl, he had once teased and called names, as cares for him at a time when a younger Arjan had been bullied by a gang on skateboards.
Bhai Kanhaiya
Next Kushi flies with Arjan to a battlefield in Sikhism's history. Arjan sees the water bearer Bhai Kanhaiya giving water to wounded soldiers, friend and foe alike, without distinction. When a soldier angered at the discovery of his tending the enemy reports him to Guru Gobind Singh. A voice heard reciting Gurmukhi phrases of Gurbani scripture is translated by Kushi. Bhai Kanhaiya defends his position saying he sees only one light within each soul.
The Flight Home
 |
| Royal Falcon Musical Bhai Kanhaiya With Angry Soldier Photo Copyright Protected © [G & H Studios Courtesy IGS NOW] |
As they wing there way back to the boy's bedroom, Kushi and Arjan are joined by a flock of beautiful birds in a colorful dance. I'm able to recognize that the beautifully sung lyrics being sung have been inspired by the scripture of Gurbani.
Arjan's Choice
Kushi and Arjan have long discussions on their journey through time. Arjan suspects that Kushi is attempting to teach him a lesson in compassion and sharing in order to change his mind about Tyler.
When school convenes, a Sikh girl explains to her classmates how important it is for her never to cut her long hair.
Arjan stands up for show and tell in front of the class and remarks that is favorite food is "Chicken Tandoori". I wonder why a line which is not in the book is interjected into this scene which raises the controversial subject in Sikhism of consuming flesh. Although she doesn't say a word, Inwardly I seem to hear Kushi exclaim, "So you draw the line of compassion at chicken eh. I'll have you know the Guru's royal falcon is no chicken hawk. I hunt for light in the dark places of the heart."
Arjan takes a seat next to Tyler who shamefacedly confessed his crime. Has the nocturnal sojourn with Kushi made enough of an impression to give Arjan a change of heart?
Taking Bows
The entire cast gets together for a final rousing song and dance praising one light within, "One large family sharing a planet we are all special born of the light."
Each member of the cast returns to the stage to take a well deserved bow and receives a long stem rose of appreciation. Even the youngest has executed their lines, lyrics and dance steps flawlessly. Billed as a "dance extravaganza featuring jazz, rap and hip-hop, The Royal Falcon Musical does not disappoint, neither does it overwhelm, and seems ever as it ought, playful and at once soul stirring. With a minimum of props the youthful actors bring the stage to life transporting the audience through time, while navigating the heart. The multicultural cast of characters deliver a message which has the appeal of an incomparable flower with petals of unity, supported on a stem of leafy diversity, rooted in compassion and sharing, blossoming with the fragrance of Gurbani for all to enjoy.
We left the show with a sense of elation and wonderment. On the way home and for days after my husband and I discuss many aspects of the play. He imagines Guru Gobind Singh's baaj attired in a warrior's chola such as the guru himself wore, while agreeing it would be difficult to surpass the engaging character dished up by Royal Falcon, Cara Kientz. I wonder that the angry protesting soldier of Guru Gobind Singh's court wears no kirpan, or any manner of weaponry such as the props used in the battle scenes, and marvel at how the Guru's word humbled him and silenced his complaints. I also marvel at the skill exhibited by Jackson Kientz in Tyler's dance dream of soccer stardom fame bounces a ball (or is it two) from knee to knee, making it seem as though he has both feet in the air. The little dancing girl's graceful gestures continue to charm us. We pour over photographs expressing our desire to see this play someday made available on DVD so that we can watch it again and over again and share it with our loved ones.
We are proud of the effort Jessi Kaur and cast members have put in to the fantastic production of The Royal Falcon Musical. We are filled with gratitude to all those who helped make possible a Sikh presence on stage. We hope that Jessi Kaur, the producers and cast will take it as a compliment that, rather than fading into obscurity, the The Royal Falcon Musical production prompts dialogue about Sikh principles and provokes discussion about diet, apparel, and religious articles of faith. We are still talking about the unforgettable experience of 60 magical moments when the lights went down, the curtains came up, and we flew the imaginary skies with the Royal Falcon.
Author and Producer
 |
| Royal Falcon Musical Dancing Birds Photo Copyright Protected © [G & H Studios Courtesy IGS NOW] |
Author, Jessi Kaur, wife and mother, is a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. She partnered with her brother the late Captain Har Bhajan Singh to found the International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS) headquartered in Tustin, California, and has been a speaker at Gurmat youth camps and multi-faith conventions around the world. Formerly a lecturer in English Literature at Delhi University of New Delhi, India, Jessi Kaur has consulted for the Department Human Resources in high tech Silicon Valley and is the Vice Chairperson for the Fine Arts Commission of Cupertino Ca. Jessi Kaur's experience with the younger set becomes obvious in the charming rendering of her delightful imaginary tale The Royal Falcon for the stage in The Royal Falcon Musical. Her talent’s depth is revealed in the introspection it provokes. Since her brother's passing, Jessi Kaur has created IGS NOW to extend the spectrum of her vision and mission statement to community outreach programs through the medium of cultural arts.
Directors
California's Bay Area Co-directors Tony Kientz and Tanna Herr, both former actors attended UCLA's Department of Theater Arts. Tanna also attended The American Film Institute. Tony has written for the LA Times and is the author of The Year I ate My Yard a delightful book challenging accepted practices of horticultural in the vegetable garden. Junglebook, The Bully Plays, and Hairspray are among the many features they have have directed together.
############
