Festival of Ballets: now that’s epic

If the magic of mythology has always enchanted you, here’s something to look forward to. Karna and Abhimanyu from Mahabharata, Meera the lover-poet, and Durga the goddess, will come alive at the Festival of Ballets.

If the magic of mythology has always enchanted you, here’s something to look forward to. Karna and Abhimanyu from Mahabharata, Meera the lover-poet, and Durga the goddess, will come alive at the Festival of Ballets, which is in its tenth edition this year.

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Showcasing varied forms of traditional ballet choreography, colourful costumes and traditional music over a span of four days, the festival promises a rich show of dance and drama. “Karna has always been one of the most inspiring characters in the great epic, Mahabharata. His human qualities have always drawn people close to his persona and evoked in them a sense of admiration, awe and sympathy,” says Shobha Deepak Singh, festival director.

The act spans over four days, in different parts. The opening show (May 10) is Karna, which the organisers dedicate to “all the Karnas, natural and unnatural, who are denied their position in the social milieu.” They explain that Karna’s life was extremely unfair, because of which it elicits sympathy.

The second day (May 11) stages Meera, which shows how she articulated through her poetry the problems that came her way. On the third day (May 17), comes Abhimanyu, a portrayal of how violence is useless when trying to settle a dispute.

The final day (May 18) stages Shree Durga, on how feminine power takes over the mindless demons of society.

Catch it live
What: Tenth Festival of Ballets
When: May 10 - 18
Time: 7pm
Where: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg
NEAREST METRO STATION: Mandi House on the Blue Line