Delhi: dance drama focus on violence against women

At a time when we are overwhelmed by the brutal harshness of incidents - whether it is the atrocities against women or nature — sublime art has an immense capacity to stir us into action.

At a time when we are overwhelmed by the brutal harshness of incidents - whether it is the atrocities against women or nature — sublime art has an immense capacity to stir us into action.

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That was what eminent Kathak artiste and Padma Shri awardee Shovana Narayan’s troupe achieved with a stunning, thought-provoking performance of ‘Dushasana Bas Karo’ at the HT-Partnerships for Action in Education’s (PACE) annual principals’ meet at the Taj Palace Hotel here on Friday.

The virtuoso performance was based on a poem penned by eminent jurist LM Singhvi.

The dance-drama, which dealt with the assault on the honour of women and the manner in which uncontrolled human greed triggers cataclysmic environmental tragedies, stirred the conscience of the 700-strong audience that consisted principals and vice-principals from Delhi/NCR.

Draupadi symbolised the plight of women as well as that of nature. “The de-robing of Draupadi still happens and men take delight in it. Draupadi is also our environment. We have been handling it cruelly for ages now. And when nature can’t bear it any more it takes revenge through floods and earthquakes,” said Narayan.

Addressing the academics, she also said that in view of the role they play in shaping the future generations, it is very important to sensitise them towards gender and environmental issues so that their understandings can be passed on to the students. Enthralled by the dance drama, several members of audience did not hold back their appreciation.

“The dance drama has motivated me to sensitise them (the students) towards these issues,” said LV Sehgal, principal, Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg.

Paramjeet Kaur, principal, Mayoor School, Noida, said that to pick such a relevant topic and to depict it so effectively is indeed a commendable achievement.

Earlier, Annapoorna Sehgal, head-education, PACE, thanked the principals for their active support to several PACE initiatives including HT’s You Read They Learn campaign.