Kasi Yatra - Bharata Natyam Recital October 7, 2009

Kasi Yatra: The Journey of a Courtesan by Malavika Sarukkai. Bharata Natyam Recital. Kasi Yatra, the journey of a courtesan of Benaras, is a celebration of life at many levels. The courtesan, a woman of beauty, taste and refinement, comes to life from the pages of an 8th century poem, the Kuttanimatham, by Damodara Gupta. She moves from the spaces of the courtesan - gendered and male-dominated - into the spaces of the pilgrim - gender-free, neutral and equalizing. The worlds of courtesan and pilgrim are recreated onstage through rich visual poetry. As the courtesan finally joins the flow of the river of pilgrims, the audience finds itself drawn into this compelling journey of self-discovery. Set in Benaras, the story teems with vitality and colour. As the old saying goes: 'Benaras is not a place, but a state of mind.' Choreographed and performed by Malavika Sarukkai, Kasi Yatra is a dance production that has won wide critical acclaim. According to The Hindu: 'Kasi Yatra strikes a chord in every person in the audience. The dancer's visualization powerfully captures the contrasting currents of life which flow in simultaneity in Benaras, along with the waters of the Ganga .' Malavika Sarukkai is one of India 's most accomplished Bharata Natyam dancers. With a career that spans three decades, this internationally acclaimed Padmashri-award-winning artist offers viewers a spellbinding mix of 'ecstasy and sensuality' in her dance. Her dance seeks to expand the canvas of classical dance by infusing it with contemporary energies.

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