"Sultan Kudarat" (Lord Kudarat) resurrects the monumental story of the 17th century ruler and his people of Maguindanao (Flooded Plains) - from Sultan Kudarat's ascendancy, to his defeats by the Spaniards and rival Sultans, through his eventual triumph over Spanish colonialism, by the uniting of virtually all of the present-day Southern Philippines. Sultan Kudarat has been conceptualized and choreographed by Artistic Director of Kinding Sindaw, Potri Ranka Manis, tradition-bearer and daughter of a Sultan of the Maranao people of Mindanao.

"In the Philippine Archipelago, there had never been a native dominion as powerful and as extensive as that of Sultan Qudarat. No other native ruler had earned more love, respect, awe, and fear from his subjects and hatred and animosity from his enemies, the Spaniards, who nevertheless had on occasion grudgingly admired him." (Cesar Majul, Muslims in the Philippines).

"Sultan Kudarat" depicts Sultan Kudarat's court, his battles on land and in the many-branched Pulangi River. It also presents the lives and traditions of the Maguindanao People. Dancers, wearing vivid silk blouses and tube-like malong skirts tied around their waists, move with crisp hand movements accompanied by the fast, pulsating music of the kulingtang, "talking" gandingan gongs, the kudyapi lute and the dabakan drums. Rhythmic bamboos represent the grand Pulangi River, the scene of many battles and skirmishes, and the life-source of Maguindanao. Hypnotic "dayunday" chants also narrate the story of the Sultan and his people.




Kinding Sindaw (Dance of Light), founded in 1992 by Potri Ranka Manis, is a resident repertory company of La MaMa, e.t.c, where it has premiered the dance dramas Rajah Mangandiri (December 2001) and Lemlunay (May 2003), both to critical acclaim. The company's repertory is built upon the dances, music and orature of the T'boli, Maranao, Maguindanao, Yakan, Jama Mapun, Higaoonon, Tausug and Bagobo Peoples.

Kinding Sindaw asserts, preserves, reclaims, and re-creates the traditions of dance, music, martial arts, storytelling, and orature of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. By asserting their arts and traditions, the historical and contemporary stories of these peoples are brought to life.

Kinding Sindaw has performed at notable venues, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, the Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse, Puffin Room, Wave Hill, Mulberry Street Theater, Theatre of the Riverside Church, the United Nations, the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution. The company has also performed at conferences, other colleges/universities, schools, public libraries, and community events, such as New York City's annual Philippine Independence Day Parade and Festival. For more information about the production or company, you may visit their website at www.kindingsindaw.org. Salamat!