The renowned Kathak maestro and staunch advocate of human rights, Padmashri Shovana Narayan and ASAVARI Repertory brightened the stage with a thought-provoking dance production, “ANUTTAR” on the evening of March 9, 2025. With a grand spectacle of captivating emotions, graceful movements, and lively rhythms, ANUTTAR very subtly stirred the collective consciousness of society, emphasizing the struggles and challenges faced by women, the girl child, and marginalized LGBTQ sections of society (particularly the kinnars).
Guests including Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Smt. Sangita Saxena, Kiran Chopra, Chairperson of Punjab Kesari, Ishan Traxl, Former Austrian Ambassador Herbert Traxl, Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Odissi Dancer Sharon Lowen, Naresh Kapuria, Shruti Gupta Chandra, Ranjana Narayan and Shahana Mookerjee graced the occasion.
As the world celebrated women’s day, the Kathak ardent addressed these social injustices that continue to plague society by delivering heart and soul to the concept to present an unforgettable performance on stage:
Akhir Kyon (Act 1): Society is set in its way of thinking and anything ‘different’ disturbs the equilibrium. Few realize that some people may be born with a ‘difference’. In the case of LGBTQ community, the instance of people being born with a proclivity towards being a female is great. This dance sequence highlighted the psychology of this community in the face of homophobia.
Shakuni (Act 2): Besides the well-known plight of Draupadi, act 2 saw the dilemmas of Shakuni’s sister Gandhari, reflecting several instances in history where women had been used as pawns. Gandhari was used as a childbearing machine by the powerful Kuru dynasty. Refusal to concede to the marriage proposal to the blind Dhritrashtra, meant violence and bloodshed, where the abuse of women and children of the overpowered and defeated Gandhar state, was certain.
Toota Yeh Vishwas Kyon (Act 3): Incest is an occurrence, news of which keep surfacing often after the victim has taken her life. The trauma and ordeal faced by not only the victim but by the mother of the child is often not understood by society at large, thus subjecting them to becoming ‘news’ items. The psychology of the mother of the abused child and her dilemmas were the core of this episode.
Through the lens of Indian classical dance, Kathak, ANUTTAR conveyed a bold and strong message on the need to bring forward the unspoken truths that demand society’s attention and empathy.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, 9th March 2025
Venue: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.
Time: 7:00 PM
