Productions

“Trishala Nandan” - based on the life of Mahavir Jain.

Performed on Mahavir Jayanti, this dance ballet featured the episodes relating to the birth of Mahavira and of major incidents in his life.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: Duration: 30 – 40 minutes

“Akbar’s Bridge” – a telefilm on the building of the Shahi Bridge at Jaunpur across Gomti River.

A period film based on an incident in 1556 in Mughal Emperor Akbar’s life wherein the young Mughal ruler once ordered the construction of a bridge instead of the earlier planned mosque at Jaunpur, thus proving his commitment to serve the people. Immortalised in a poem by Rudyard Kipling, it is a testimony to the Emperor’s secular credentials. In this tele-film, the moving and powerful role of Aliya who brings about the transformation in Akbar was performed to critical acclaim by Shovana!

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 30-40 minutes

“Sanmati”: A meditation On Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom in collaboration with Prof Ramchandra Gandhi

Gandhi was killed on his way to his evening prayer meeting. His dying words were “Hey Ram”, an invocation of God, something which only the rarest devotee is able to do at the moment of unexpected and violent death. What might Gandhi have said to his assassin had he some breath left before dying? Why did Gandhi not fast unto death to prevent the partition of India? What is the meaning of his martyrdom? “Sanmati”, a Kathak play, is a meditation on these questions.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 30-40 minutes

“Padmavati” based on a short story by Kamala Das

The great writer, Kamala Das, was delighted when Shovana expressed her desire to dance out ‘Padmavati’ on the experience of a devadasi and immediate permission was given.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 20 minutes

“Shakuntala” – a Unique Soliloquy

Under the direction of Shri Arun Kuckreja, for the first time ever in classical dance of the 20th century, Shovana Narayan soliloquised Maihtili Sharan Gupt’s epic work “Shakuntala” to packed houses in July 1996. With this, Shovana added yet another milestone of till hitherto untreaded path to her achievements.

           Presentation: Solo (Soliloquey)

           Duration: 1 hour

“Toota Yeh Vishwas Kyon?” – Psychological trauma of a mother

Trust forms the basic tenet of human relationship. What happens when trust between family members is broken? What ensues out of incest in a family, when an innocent, adolescent girl-child becomes the victim of the lust of a man who is the father or a near relative?

Based on a real-life story, the ballet “Toota Yeh Vishwas Kyon” tries to uncover the psychological entanglements, which confront the daughter (the victim) and her mother. The mother, fearing social ostracism, is caught in a web of her own insecurities and weaknesses and is unable to give immediate recourse to her daughter. The dance centers around the mother’s love, anguish and questions the hypocrisy of society, which stigmatizes the victim and lets the man go scot-free. By the time she overcomes her own shattered mind, and calls for her daughter, the innocent child has given up her life. Conceptualised by Shovana, the script was written by Mr. Rajendra Awasthi.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 18-20 minutes

Apni Beti ke Liye based on the work of Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 18-20 minutes

“Raah de Radhe” – on the works of women saints of India

Almost two decades before the world of performing arts turned their attention to the women saint poets of India, Shovana Narayan, yet again proved to be a visionary and trendsetter. In 1995 she attempted successfully to draw the median line between the experiences of 11 women saint poets of India. They were Akka Mahadevi, Avaiyar, Dasimaiya, Andal, Bahinabai, Muktabai, Sati Toral-Jesal, Gangasati, Sahjodasi, Mirabai and Lal Ded. While their acceptance as women saint poets came centuries later, yet it came early for their male counterparts. It was the first time that Shovana drew attention to these women saint poets who have, by and large, remained regional.

How could the pearls of wisdom of these 11 women saint poets be put together in an evening? It was a tall order but Shovana sailed through, innovatively and successfully. Threading common features and experiences of all these women through the ‘vaks’ or pearls of wisdom that fell from their lips that reflected (a) their rebellion against male domination (b) fighting for their voice and freedom of expression through their behaviour and manner of dealing with society (c) raising their voice against caste and gender discrimination to name a few, a compelling storyline emerged.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 30 – 40 minutes

“Anuttar” – contemporary interpretations on mythological legends

‘Anuttar’ was about lives we read about, mythological figures that we emulate and worship, yet we fail to see the other side of the episode/incident? In this journey, the ‘analytical and introspective’ Shovana revealing her Physics aspect of her persona surfaces with emotional grace of her dancer persona, opening the door to hidden facets and unrevealed aspects. Episodes from the life of Lord Shiva have been successfully related to modern life and its complex relationships and modern thinking. Questions were raised on few episodes such as:

(a) The beautiful feeling of love can however lead to possessiveness so much so that suspicion of betrayal arouses in man, an irrational temper leading to illogical and heinous action.

(b) The Devi has been worshipped as Kali or Durga and her protection has been invoked by mankind. But who protects the Devi?

(c) Lord Shiva has been worshipped as ‘Neelakantha’and ‘Ardhanareshwar’. But who protects his ‘lesser’ children and the eunuchs?

Treatment: Symbolic stage sets along with split level stage were utilised. Also for the first time, there was focus on the issue of the third gender namely This had earlier in 1993 been presented by Shovana under the title “Aakhir Kyon”.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 30 – 40 minutes

“The Temptation of Vivekanand” (in collaboration with Prof Ramchandra Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi)

Based on Swami Vivekananda's experience at Kshir Bhavani & Amarnath, the dance enactment authored by eminent philosopher, late Prof Ramchandra Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, is a beautiful exploration of man’s inner insecurities that exhibit themselves in discrimination. (The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 7/Conversations And Dialogues/IV) Excerpts from the dance enactment: “Tell me why Bhavani has permitted all this?? A voice tempts me to deny her -----” Vivekanand hears the voice of Devi who says: “If I have let my images and temples be destroyed, what is it to you?.... Do YOU protect me or do I protect you?... The breaker of my images did not recognize my ‘formlessness’ in my ‘forms’; but you have failed to recognize me in so many of my children….”

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 30 – 40 minutes

“The Unmasking of Death”: An exploration of the Enlightenment of Ramana Maharshi in collaboration with Prof Ramchandra Gandhi

Set in 3 parts, the first 2 parts explores how Ramana Maharshi, as a young 16 year old lad, Venkataraman, encountered death (Yama) that led to the revelation of what the body, mind and matter is all about. The third part recounts stories and other experiences of Ramana Maharshi.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 30 – 40 minutes

Apni Beti ke Liye: based on the work of Shiela Gujral

This production brought forth the love and sacrifice of a mother.

           Presentation: Group composition/ Mini ballet

           Duration: 40 minutes