Dance performances based on Indian mythological characters always evoke interest, as they not only showcase unique moves, but tell interesting stories as well. Similarly, a dance act on Karna, the famous character from the Mahabharata, will be aiming to tell a captivating tale to people in the Capital.

Karna: A Ballet in Mayurbhanj Chhau, which is going to be held at Kamani auditorium on January 24, will depict a story revolving around the titular character’s life. Organised by the Sanjivini Society for Mental Health, the performance will highlight how Karna overcame hurdles in his life to emerge as a respected warrior in the epic fable. “Karna had a very complicated life and he had to face and combat a lot of problems. He wanted to find his own identity, and in the end, he was able to define himself and emerge a winner,” says Anindita Paul, director at Sanjivini. “What Karna’s story tells us is that problems might happen in life, but it is up to us to take a stand and tackle them,” she adds.

The dance act will be followed by an interactive session with the Sanjivini team. The free-for-all passes for the show are available at Sanjivini’s institute in Defence Colony and Qutub Institutional Area.   

Other performances in the Capital

Kathak Through The Ages
The performance is a journey of Kathak from the temples to royal courts of Rajasthan and the magnificent Mughals till today. The performance is directed by Asavari Pawar, who has inherited a love for this art form from her father, Pratap Pawar, a leading exponent of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak.
When: January 23; Where: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre; Timings: 7 pm 

The Soul Cages
The performance is an artistic experience that captures the cycles of life and death as a journey, rather than an end in itself. The presentation is structured on the imagery and narrative of a story, told through the fluid grace of the classical Indian dance form of Bharathanatyam.
When: January 28; Where: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg; Timings: 7pm

A Story And A Song
Inspired by Kannada folklore, Native American stories and narratives from contemporary women, A Story And A Song is a metaphorical dance tale of women, environment and sensuality. With an interactive dialogue, the tale is about women, environment and love.
When: January 30; Where: India International Centre, Lodhi Road, Max Mueller Marg; Timings: 6.30pm