Virangana
"Virangana" - Women of Courage, a musical dance drama by Arathi School of Dance for the benefit of The Women's Museum, an Institute for the future, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas.
Held on September 26, 1998 at the Majestic Theatre, Dallas, Texas.
Indian tradition has always held a deep respect for all aspects of womanhood. Virangana, through the medium of Indian classical dance presented the position and perspective of women in Indian society over the past five thousand years - a kaleidoscopic picture of their dreams, visions, hopes, aspirations, and values.
This dance drama is an illustrative study of the lives of five indomitable women from Indian mythology, history, and contemporary society.
Draupadi - the central figure of the great epic of India, the Mahabharata. She was the embodiment of courage, fortitude, sense and sensibility and even, pride and prejudice.
Radha - a woman of great personal charm and the picture of sensuous enjoyment. Her total love and devotion to Lord Krishna is the ultimate of love's poetry and philosophy.
Meerabai - the Rajput princess and the foremost exponent of the Bhakti cult of utter devotion. An inspired poetess, her unflinching faith in God is reflected in all of her poems.
Indira Gandhi - the inimitable politician who, following in the footsteps of her renowned father, Jawaharlal Nehru, rose to be the Prime Minister of India and a votary of world peace.
Mother Teresa - whose entire life was one of self-sacrifice in the service of the poor and the destitute. Her work encompassing the whole of India was world-renowned. Her lifelong, selfless existence was commemorated in her receiving the Nobel Peace prize.
Press Notes
The Dallas Morning news, September 27, 1998.
by Margaret Putnam
Feminine Mystique - "Virangana", a bold lesson in Indian women's history.
Beauty comes in many guises, and Saturday night it wore ankle bells and palms painted red as 18 young dancers performed Virangana set bare foot on the Majestic theatre stage. Dressed identically in cream gold and orange, long black braids cascading down their backs, they were entrancing - moving in perfect unison and with a wonderful vibrancy and energy. Soloists created vivid and individual portraits of the five heroines but it was the corps de ballet, animated and marvelously uniform, that stole our hearts.
The Women's Museum, October 30, 1998.
by Candace O'Keefe
We want to thank you again for the extraordinary honor you bestowed upon us by designating The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future as the beneficiary of the Virangana Program. The evening transported us to the beauty, strength and talent of India and its extraordinary women. It is an experience all the audience and I are lucky to have had and will never forget.
Click here for pictures.