Ahilan Ratnamohan
The Tamilization of Ahilan Ratnamohan
Antwerp
In an effort to make life in Australia as easy as possible, Ahilan Ratnamohan’s parents decided to speak only English with their children, rather than their mother tongue, Jaffna Tamil. As an adult, he feels this as a loss and has his mother teach him the language. A lighthearted and personal piece about diaspora, identity, language, and family.
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Theatre maker Ahilan Ratnamohan performs his piece primarily in Tamil, the language of his parents, which he never learned as a child and still does not master today. In an effort to ease their children’s lives in Australia, Ratnamohan’s parents chose to speak only English with them, rather than their mother tongue, Jaffna Tamil. As an adult, Ahilan feels this loss and begins a remote language course with his mother. However, learning the language proves challenging and raises questions about how lived knowledge is passed down within communities. Drawing from those lessons, the autobiographical piece delves into themes of diaspora, memory, family, and the search for belonging. Ratnamohan’s mother appears on stage with him, correcting him, giving instructions, and even managing the subtitles.
Through his exploration of family dynamics, Ahilan Ratnamohan has created a lighthearted work about language loss and rediscovery, as well as the complexity and richness of migrant and post-migrant experience and identity.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- We 27.08. 19:00 - 20:10 CHF 35.–/20.–
- Th 28.08. 19:00 - 20:10 CHF 35.–/20.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
- Fr 29.08. 18:00 - 19:10 CHF 35.–/20.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
Support programme
Stammtisch
Language and Identity
Di 26.8., 9 pm
Artistic direction and cast
| Von & mit | Ahilan Ratnamohan, Mala Ratnamohan |
|---|---|
| Text & Übersetzung | Ahilan Ratnamohan, Mala Ratnamohan, Nagaratnam Ratnamohan, Mahy Nambiar |
| Dramaturgie | Sodja Lodtker, Petar Sarjanović |
| Licht | Lies van Loock |
| Auge von aussen | Jiva Parthipan, Fred Rodrigues, Utp team |
| Distribution | Vincent Company |
| Übersetzung | Ahilan Ratnamohan, Dòra Kapusta |
| Operator | Mala Ratnamohan, Fee Van Herck |
| Foto | Celine Cheung |
| Trailer | Akhil Ahamat |
Production
| Produktion | Robin, A Cultured Left Foot vzw, Urban Theatre Projects |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | Kaaitheater, RAMPE, UTP, De Brakke Grond |
| Premiere | Januar 2025, Sydney Festival |
Rote Fabrik, Fabriktheater
Autobiographical performance. Migration. Language. Identity
Swiss Premiere. Nominated for the ZKB Patronage Prize
Duration
1.10 hrs.
Language
Tamil, English, German
Surtitles
German, English
Age
14 years plus
An inclusive event
Please note
Nominated for the ZKB Sponsorship Award