Rasika Kumar

How this show came to be in the words of Rasika Kumar:

Visually understanding privilege and disprivilege:

Listen to the audio below and put a finger down or take a step forward for each question you can respond "yes" to - the more fingers down, the more your womanhood can impact your day to day life (or you have experienced things women experience daily).

Board 1: "Our Dark Goddess" poem by Pratibha Chaitanya

Your black-tanned skin, black as the moonless night contrasts our frenzy for an Ivory hue.
We lesser mortals of this man's world paint you azure-they say it's better than the black tone.
You trampled the god of gods, the Mahadev* under your feet in a fiery rage, and the same Rudra * famed for tandaving* in fury wild laid down to stop your path to an inexhaustible kill,
When you marched in madness with the inexorable lust for blood to fill the parting of your hair with human vermilion. Were you not labeled outrageous then?
Did you not, O Kali! in your ferocious form of fury break the norms?
Did you not challenge your husband's authority?
Did you not anticipate appeasement from the great Lord
Did you not in your khadga* and wrath display all traits of a masculine God breathing within your feminine existence, and complicated furthermore the schism between sexes?
In wearing only the mund mala* and leaving your breasts bare, in the waistband of human hands. Tied around your thighs, did you not open yourself to the public gaze?

To the ogling, obnoxious eyes we face And the hard stares which dissect your flesh?
When you a female form, O Kali could stride ahead in shamshan* in the middle of the night, in your wildness, nakedness, madness, wrath,

Why then are we held guilty of following your path?
Why then this glow of fairness, this purdah* of docility, the sari of grace only underline our virtuous state?
Why then are we disrespected, judged, molested, disparaged, insulted, neglected, mutilated, killed, when we embolden ourselves to go the way the Dark Goddess went?

Board 2: Books used for the ideation of today's concert

Board 3: How much equity do you have?

How much equity do you have?
“We often don’t realize our own privileges in this world until we can physically see, hear, or feel them ourselves. If you want to have a physical reminder of what inequity can result in, Scan the QR code below and start a few feet behind while listening to the message. Make sure two of you are listening to the same audio!
Put a finger down if…

You’ve automatically been expected to go help in the kitchen when family events are happening.
You feel you are not as financially literate as others in the world around you (especially men, including stocks and investing).
You’ve said something in a professional capacity that has had to be repeated by a male counterpart to be heard
You’ve been told you’re “too emotional” or “irrational”
If you are a parent, you are the default parent.
You make decisions about moving based on women’s health offerings/rights.

Program Info:

About the artists:

Rasika Kumar is a highly acclaimed Bharatanatyam performer and choreographer based in California's Silicon Valley. Trained under the guidance of her mother, Mythili Kumar, she began her Bharatanatyam journey at the age of four. Rasika has showcased her talent as a soloist and choreographer for the renowned Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose since 2005. Her choreography has been featured in numerous productions, and her performances have received accolades both within and beyond the Indian dance community. Alongside her Bharatanatyam expertise, Rasika has also trained in Odissi, showcasing her versatility and passion for multiple dance forms. She continues to push boundaries and make Bharatanatyam accessible to contemporary audiences.
https://www.rasikakumardance.com/bio

Sindhu Natarajan: Vocalist
Sindhu Natarajan is an accomplished vocalist, composer, and Bharatanatyam dancer. She began her Carnatic vocal training under her aunt, Smt. Vasanthi Kannan, and grandfather, the late Sri P.V. Natarajan. She is currently under the guidance of her other aunt, Smt. Raji Gopalakrishnan. Sindhu has given many Carnatic concerts, as well as provided vocal support for numerous South Asian dance performances across the United States. In addition to performing, Sindhu is a passionate composer who creates music that blends her Carnatic roots with other genres. She has also studied Bharatanatyam under Smt. Mythili Kumar, Artistic Director of Abhinaya Dance Company in San Jose. Sindhu currently lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two daughters.

Maya Rau-Murthy: Maya is a Konnakol artist, Bharatanatyam performer, composer, mridangist and teacher. Alongside Dr. Nalini Rau, Maya is the associate director of the Natya Anubhava Dance Academy. She has performed widely nationally and internationally, from Seva Sadan to the United Nations. She has directed, composed, and choreographed dance ballets ranging from traditional topics to contemporary themes exploring gender and social justice. Maya has choreographed multiple margams, taught over 40 students, and co-trained 10 for their Arangetram. She is also trained in flute, vocals, and is learning Chhau and the Karanas. She is eternally grateful for her gurus who have shaped her into the artist she is today: Dr. Nalini Rau, AR Balaskandan, Ranjani Venimadhavan, Ashwini Srivatsan, and Rakesh Sai Babu.

Aarti Shankar: Aarti Shankar is a renowned Carnatic violinist, trained by the legendary Lalgudi G Jayaraman and his son Lalgudi GJR Krishnan. Known for her melodious and classical style, she has performed solo and accompanied vocalists in India and North America. A recipient of prestigious awards and fellowships, Aarti composes music for dance and collaborates across genres. She recently appeared in off-Broadway and dance theater productions. Aarti also teaches violin, conducts workshops on Western and Indian classical music, and holds an MSc. degree in Neuroscience focused on improving walking in Parkinson's patients.
Amit Ranganathan

Program info:

Item 1: A conversation with Kali
This main, 35 minute item is built like a varnam - where the nayika, or main character builds a conversation with the goddess Kali.

Item 2: A javali
In this item, the javali is a woman who is catcalled and recalls all the times she has been requested to give over control of her autonomy.

Program DetailsRasika Kumar

How this show came to be in the words of Rasika Kumar:

Visually understanding privilege and disprivilege:

About the artists:

Program info:

Program Details
Rasika Kumar