Aneka – Infinite shades of womanhood

Yashodhara – An unsung heroine
Bharatanatyam by Aparna Vinod Menon

Yashodhara, an unsung heroine, is the story of a young princess who decides to marry Siddhartha, a prince who is predicted to be a wandering monk. She marries him and starts transforming herself according to his vision of life. She gives up the life of a princess and leads the life of a monk, raising their son Rahula into a fine prince all by herself. Siddhartha attains enlightenment under the bodhi vruksha and comes back to Yashodhara who taught him that love is the ultimate dharma and takes her along as a bhikkhuni.

Directed, choreographed and produced by Aparna Vinod Menon

Kaikeyi
Odissi by Sharmila Mukherjee

In this production, Kaikeyi is portrayed as a loving wife, a doting mother, a dutiful queen and a brave warrior. She is gentle yet brave, sensitive yet strong-willed and stubborn, passionate but slightly confused. A woman bent on getting her way, even if it ultimately destroys her happiness. Her character is one of catharsis, beauty, bravery and a whole lot of love.

The dance starts with Kaikeyi as an old woman, reminiscing about the past, how it all began. and changed her life forever. She remembers driving the chariot for her husband, Dasarath in a battle where one of the wheels is damaged and, in that moment, while Kaikeyi is trying to repair the wheel, an arrow strikes Dasarath and injures him. Kaikeyi drives him to safety and nurses him back to health. Touched by her devotion, Dasarath promises her two boons, which she says she will keep for a later time.

Directed, choreographed and produced by Sharmila Mukherjee

Admission on a first-come-first-served basis.