What would you do if the Gods descend on earth to tell you - “You need to be saved… from yourself!!” 

Who's Afraid of the Naayika? follows the story of Rukmini Joshi, a second generation Kathak dancer whose critique of the traditional dance lands her in trouble yet again. But this time, she has stirred trouble not only for herself but also in the heavenly office of Dharma-Ticks Comms Corp.

Does her rebellion have a cause? A cause for concern? Or does her rebellion break the chains that bind? 

The play is a satirical rethinking of classical dance and the stories it tells. It invites audiences to reflect on the complexities of tradition, the freedom of self-expression, and the courage it takes to break free from the past.

Concept, Writer, and DSM Grant Recipient: Gargi Datar

Director: Alistar Bennis

Creative Producer: Parul Rana

Cast: Sayalee Meshram, Lobsang Jimba Norbu, Gargi Datar

Stage Manager: Shubhangi Gaikwad

Music Composer: Palash kothari

Light Designer: Utkarsh Babbar

Costume Designer: Yash Thakkar

Set Designer: Chetan Dhawan

GFX Designer (Communication Creatives): Siddhant Seth

Sound Operator: Arjoon kabir Kakkar

Supported by DSFM Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant

KNOW MORE ABOUT THE TEAM:

Alistar Bennis- After graduating as a performing arts student , Alistar Prem Bennis moved from Bangalore to Mumbai to become an actor-director. Though successful, his first love is clowning (thanks to training with Clown's Without Borders, Germany and Helikos in Italy). Through ACT he has been organizing improvisation and theatre workshops at schools and corporates since 2016.

Gargi Datar- Meet Gargi, the ultimate "Yes and" gal! Trained in screen and stage acting at Drama School Mumbai, she's also a Kathak dancer taught by her mom, a theater workshop whiz straight from the heart, and an internet info junkie. She recently starred as the lead in “Lek Asavi Tar Ashi” a Marathi film by the cult director Vijay Kondke. Other than this you can see her in Amazon Primes Modern Love Mumbai, Gutar Gu Season 2 and as a child actor in various movies and TVCs. Juggling shooting for web series, performing on the stage, and giving reality checks to international school students, her glass is always half full, even if her pocket's half empty!

Sayalee Meshram- Sayalee is a multidisciplinary theater practitioner and a trained artist from Drama School Mumbai, known for her diverse talents in acting, directing, writing, and production design. With a rich background in theater, Sayalee has collaborated with several renowned theater groups, contributing as an actor, movement artist, director, writer, dancer, and production designer. Her notable theater work includes performances in "One Night Only" by AKVARIOUS PRODUCTION, the site-specific open-air play "Where Does All This Wood Come From," directed by Atul Kumar for The Theatre Company.Worked as a production designer for a META Award winning play “Laavni Ke Rang” by Bspot productions.

Lobsang Jimba Norbu- Lobsang is an actor/theatre practitioner based in Mumbai, originally from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Formally trained and vetted at Drama School, now he is working on creative pursuits heavily inspired by maximalist expressionism on stage, and film.

This play is supported by DSFM Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant

ABOUT DSFM NSAPG

Niloufer Sagar, a seasoned theatre maker and live arts producer, brought over two decades of expertise in arts management to India and beyond. Holding a Master's degree in Cultural Management and Policy from City University, London, she specialized in theatre productions, festival management, and commissioning arts projects. Beginning her career with Mumbai's Rage Productions, Niloufer went onto serve as a COO for Terence Lewis's dance company as well as Producer with theatre-maker Yuki Ellias at Dur Se Brothers. As part of the London-based Artevents, she produced the three year, path-breaking project of site-specific work The Re-Enchantment, in the UK. Her notable contributions extended to the Jaipur Heritage International Festival, the British Council, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai, Jindal Arts Centre, and Masque. One of Niloufer’s most renowned works was the award-winning solo act Elephant in the Room.

A key figure at the Drama School Mumbai, and Foundation, she played various roles from teaching and producing to advising and mentoring. Prior to her passing, she was an active member of the DSM’s Managing Committee and served on its board. Her guidance contributed significantly to the DSM's resilience during the pandemic, the rejuvenation of its board, building the new leadership and the initiation of Ekalavya.art, DSM's e-learning program.

Under DSFM's Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant instituted by her family, alumni from the Drama School Mumbai receive grants to create, move and evolve theatre.