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DATE
20 NOV 2010, SAT -
21 NOV 2010, SUN
21 NOV 2010, SUN
TIME
8pm
(1hr 15mins, no intermission)
(1hr 15mins, no intermission)
VENUE
Theatre Studio
PRICE
$25
Concessions for students, NSF and senior citizens: $18
Schools may use the TOTE Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 60% of the cost of this programme
Kalaa Utsavam Saving Packages
Saves up to 20% - Click here for details
Schools may use the TOTE Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 60% of the cost of this programme
Kalaa Utsavam Saving Packages
Saves up to 20% - Click here for details
SYNOPSIS
The famous Ramayana epic is exciting not only for its adventurous Lord Rama, but also its stable of fascinating characters such as its three intriguing heroines. Meet Keikeyi the ambitious queen, Shurpanakha the demoness, and Sita the ideal woman, through rising star bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Mythili Prakash in her stellar new solo dance work, Stree Katha.
Through bharatanatyam dance, Stree Katha tells the stories of the Ramayana's three most important female characters, Keikeyi, Shurpanakha and Sita, three very different women who play large roles in driving most of the action in the epic.
Keikeyi is the second wife of King Dasharatha. Although she is an affectionate and intelligent woman who loves Rama, the son of the King's first wife, almost as much as she loves her own son Baratha, she is nevertheless convinced by her maid Manthara that she will suffer if Rama were to be crowned King. Jealous and afraid, she tells Rama that he is to relinquish his claim to the throne and go into self-exile. He complies, and thus begins the turn of events that leads to her tragically losing more than she ever imagined.
Keikeyi is the second wife of King Dasharatha. Although she is an affectionate and intelligent woman who loves Rama, the son of the King's first wife, almost as much as she loves her own son Baratha, she is nevertheless convinced by her maid Manthara that she will suffer if Rama were to be crowned King. Jealous and afraid, she tells Rama that he is to relinquish his claim to the throne and go into self-exile. He complies, and thus begins the turn of events that leads to her tragically losing more than she ever imagined.
Shurpanakha is the much-maligned sister of Ravana, the infamous demoness who attempts to seduce brothers Rama and Lakshmana only to be ridiculed and disfigured. As the epic tells it, she espies Rama, Lakshmana and Rama's wife Sita in the Dandaka forest during Rama's exile and falls in love with the handsome Rama. She tries to woo first Rama, then Laskhmana, in the rough manner of the Rakshasa (demon) race, but is rejected with smiling mockery by both. Enraged and bewildered, she attacks Sita, but is driven away by Lakshmana who cuts off her nose and ear. In pain and fury, she flees to her brother Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, and asks him to avenge her, leading to one of the greatest battles of the Ramayana.
Sita is Rama's beloved consort. Loyal, beautiful and selfless, she is the "quintessential wife" who devotes herself completely to her husband, contemplating suicide when abducted by Ravana and refusing Hanuman's offer of rescue, insisting that only her husband may save her. Yet, upon her rescue by Rama, she finds her virtue questioned by him and society. She is put to the test (of fire) and passes. Still, years later, when false rumours about her resurface, Rama banishes her, now pregnant, to the forest where she gives birth to and raises their twin sons alone. When 14 years later he "reclaims" them but not her, Sita "returns" herself to the Earth.
About the production
These are the bare facts of the three heroines' stories, poignant tales which are open to diverse interpretations and offer invaluable lessons in humanity.
Stree Katha tells these stories in three individual dance segments. In them, scriptwriter, choreographer and solo dancer Mythili Prakash approaches the three stories from an untraditional perspective - that of the heroine and not a male protagonist - and finds in them new meaning and significance.
These are the bare facts of the three heroines' stories, poignant tales which are open to diverse interpretations and offer invaluable lessons in humanity.
Stree Katha tells these stories in three individual dance segments. In them, scriptwriter, choreographer and solo dancer Mythili Prakash approaches the three stories from an untraditional perspective - that of the heroine and not a male protagonist - and finds in them new meaning and significance.
Through dance performances full of nuanced characterisation, expressed with masterful execution, and interspersed with narration, Mythili encourages us to re-look at the Ramayana's heroines and consider gender roles and related social issues, implications and expectations in both the contexts of the Ramayana and modern society today.
Mythili as solo dancer will be accompanied by music composer and vocalist Debur Srivathsa as well as D.V. Prasanna Kumar, on the nattuvangum, V Vedakrishnan on the mridangam, Mahesh Swamy on the flute, and Easwar Ramakrishnan on the violin.
Mythili as solo dancer will be accompanied by music composer and vocalist Debur Srivathsa as well as D.V. Prasanna Kumar, on the nattuvangum, V Vedakrishnan on the mridangam, Mahesh Swamy on the flute, and Easwar Ramakrishnan on the violin.
USA-born and Chennai-based, Mythili has garnered much national Indian and international critical acclaim for her choreography and performances in both her traditional and contemporary fusion dance repertoire.
Stree Katha has premiered in the USA, UK, Canada and India.
Stree Katha has premiered in the USA, UK, Canada and India.
"Mythili has a distinctive style and rare emotional depth showing new insights… oftentimes pushing the boundaries of classical with an aching sensuality and intense energy… infusing youthful grace with the essence of spirituality and myriad classical traditions." – India Post
