ensemble works

Tirvat

Tirvat is a traditional kathak ensemble. The work is a technical kathak bandish or composition that consists of Hindustani classical music notes, syllables of a tarana compositions, rounded off with melodic use of syllables from the pakhawaj and tabla. 

Tirvat has had a chance to present at several venues both as a ensemble and solo work such as:

• Little Island, NYC

• National Arts Club, NYC

• Dance Theatre Harlem, NYC

• Neemrana Fort Palace, Rajashtan

Mukta, A Woman Liberated

In Sanskrit, MUKTA means liberation.

MUKTA, A Woman Liberated is a dance production that highlights a pivotal dialogue between a modern woman, or nayika, and her inner Goddess. Through original poetry, music and movement, MUKTA follows the internal journey of a nayika’s struggle to achieve her dreams while living in a patriarchal society. The performance culminates in celebrating a woman’s power to rise above all obstacles. 

Mukta is inspired by my personal journey and those of 65 South Asian women I interviewed. Conversations with family members and colleagues helped me recognize that, they too had similar cultural experiences. They shared personal anecdotes on cultural barriers obstructing their journey to their dreams. A clear message was the subconscious fear of pushing back against cultural norms that bind their spirit.

The goals of Mukta are two-fold: to help women recognize their inner strength to liberate themselves and share insight on the South Asian female experience amongst different communities through kathak dance. 

Mukta is a 75 minute dance performance segmented into seven pieces with solo and ensemble choreography. 

Reviews

“...the evening-length dance is well on its way to becoming a work that can speak to all audiences. The choreography is full-bodied.”

— Wendy Liberatore, Times Union

“Simplifying conflicting ideologies through purely visual storytelling is the kind of art I respond to most strongly.”

— Chris Scarafile (Director of Photography)