Yogini - Battle for Peace

The 64 yoginis or mother goddesses seen in 3rd Century BC carved stone temples, and glimpsed throughout South Asian history occupy a place of reverence as well as lived reality. Stories told of blood soaked battles won by yoginis are often interpreted as a paean to raw physical power. In this work, however, yogini is the pathbreaker who shields humanity as a mother protects her child. Though fierce, her weapon bestows peace - it is the sword of love and compassion that cuts through illusion and uproots hate. Do these mother goddesses have a message for us today as we encounter war and climate crisis?

Woven into this production of 'Katha' storytelling, Kuchipudi dance and Thang Ta martial arts, is the Chipko village women who successfully fought to save their forests in 1973 Uttar Pradesh, India. The fighter in each of us - men and women - that rises against injustice is the yogini; who walks out of ancient myth bearing the weapon of resolve, faith and hope, to accomplish what seems impossible.

Choreographed by

Anila Kumari

Khilton Nongmaithen

Nilimma Devi

Riya Devi-Ashby

Host or Publisher Sutradhar Institute of Dance & Related Arts