Draupadi, a dance ballet, presented by Natya Ballet Centre, is slated for November 28 at 7 pm at Shri Ram Centre, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Mandi House. It explores the position of women in the modern Indian context against the backdrop of the life of Draupadi, the Panchali princess, and her trials and tribulations. In spite of her beauty, intelligence, physical prowess, and inimitable spirit, she betrothed to the victor of a competition, and was sacrificed at the altar of the male ego in a game of dice, trivialised and humiliated by the Kauravas. As she fell on her journey to the heavens, not one of her husbands sought to help her, instead selfishly sought moksha for themselves.
The questions the show raise are: Does the Indian woman of today continue to face Draupadi’s plight’? Does she remain a commodity? Does she have what it takes to rise above it to effect change? ‘‘A profound message lies within the folds of the drama that played out more than 5,000 years ago and that is what we aim to bring forth,’’ says choreographer Anirudh Das and Nibedita Mahapatra.
The dance ballet is a mix of Chhau and Odissi and is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Draupadi.
- Sunday Standard