SHAKTHI

Dance-Drama / 60 Minutes / Kannada & English

Directed by Aasif Kshathriya

This is a dance-drama of its own kind. Being juxtaposed with the East Indian classical dance form Odissi and Karnataka’s popular art form Yakshagana, SHAKTHI addresses Life, Karma (deeds or duties) and Moksha (Salvation or Union) in a subtle way.

This is designed in a unique way wherein audiences are seated in a circle and the two performers dance and act enabling a 360 degree view. The movements are carefully designed within two circles Inner & Outer. The space outside the outer circle depicts the BODY (Material world or Life). The space inside the outer circle depicts the MIND (Karma or deeds) whereas the space inside the inner circle depicts the SOUL (Consciousness or Conscience). The whole dance & drama takes you to a journey inwards, within you, making you realize the realities of life and putting you in trance.

All these are depicted through two different stories. The first one Ardhanareeshwara is presented through pure classical Odissi dance and the other one, Raavana’s story Aathma Linga is presented through both Odissi and Yakshagana together.

We staged this twice at Vyoma Art Space and Studio Theatre, JP Nagar. The show followed by discussions and exchange of views. One common thing audience experienced was a soulful inward journey.