Mirabai’s life to come alive through Kathak

Opening up about the bilingual dance drama, Jigyasa says, “Being mainly in English language, it is the story of the mystic queen Mirabai, whose entire life was spent in love and devotion for Krishna. With the dialogues and narration in English, and the songs of Mira in Hindi, this beautiful love story set in the era of a war-torn India has the potential to tug at the heartstrings and reach out to a very wide audience.” 

As many as 18 dancers from her dance school, Devaniya School of Kathak, will be performing at the event. “We are at a time when the world is steeped in negativity, hatred, intolerance, etc. At such a time, reviving the spirit of Mira might just help transport us back to the core of ourselves where love reigns supreme,” she says.

Proceeds from the performance will go towards funding the rural education of a school in Kodaikanal. Jigyasa has always been fascinated by Mira. 

“Her steadfast devotion, the way she loved — unabashed, bold, pure and simple. What courage of conviction must it take to innocently herald the bhakti movement in India? What confidence in the self to be so madly yet calmly in love with the Lord despite all odds? Mira is and shall always be an inspiration for me.”  

The 1.5 hour dance production will be filled with footwork, chakkars and fluidity of Kathak and a simple lokadharmic approach towards storytelling of bygone days. 

“Kathak has gained immense popularity in Chennai over the past few years, especially the dynamic footwork and pirouettes. However, Kathak itself means — katha kahe so kathak — one who tells a story is a Kathak. My intention is to teach the subtle aspects of kathak and also present those facets of the dance form in my choreographies along with the dynamic footwork,” adds Jigyasa.  

The dance drama will be staged on July 7 at Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Mylapore