AR | DHA, choreographed and directed by Indian-American dancer/choreographer Mythili Prakash, is an exploration of the iconic mythical dance competition between Gods Shiva and Kali. 

According to legend, Shiva invites his wife Kali to a dance competition. They are at a loggerhead and Kali is undefeatable so Shiva creates the illusion of dropping his earring, disrupting the competition. He lifts it with his toe, and raises his leg to his ear, replacing the earring, while performing this formidable pose. Kali, though equally skilled, bound by the constructs of her femininity (a woman shouldn’t raise her leg!), surrenders. And Shiva wins the competition. 

Ardhanari, the fused form of the Male God Shiva and the Female God Shakti is a celebration and reminder of the liminal space we contain within ourselves, a powerful symbol of inclusivity and Oneness. 

AR | DHA is a two-part work told from both Shiva and Kali's perspectives, exploring the dynamics of love and power in this relationship that is at once Human and Divine. 

SCHEDULE

October 30, 2024

15:00 - Open Rehearsal

18:00 - Workshop

October 31, 2024

19:30 - In Conversation with Mythili Prakash

November 01, 2024

19:00 - Premiere

November 02, 2024

19:00 - Show #02

November 03, 2024

19:00 - Show #03

Credits:

Concept and Choreography: Mythili Prakash

Performance: Mythili Prakash, Susha Rangarajan, Ashwath Narayanan, Sumesh Narayanan, Sayee Rakshith

Rehearsal Director: Soumik Datta

Lyric: Perumal Murugan, Papanasam Sivan, Sohini Alam, Soumik Datta

Music Composition: Aditya Prakash, B.C. Manjunath, Ganavya, Mahesh Swamy, Sayee Rakshith, Sohini Alam, Soumik Datta

G5A forum 

produces and co-creates interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work that is bold, experimental, and just.

In Residence, a production series, creates space for practitioners to explore their craft, form, and expression to consistently and rigorously refine their practice. Each production is hosted over an extended duration at the warehouse, enabling work that is multidisciplinary and grounded in traditional and contemporary performance methods.