A scene from the production. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A new bold dance-theatre musical – ‘Rebel Ranis’ – that reimagines women’s narratives from our epics through a contemporary lens, is an initiative of Delhi-based Keelaka Dance Company. It blends Bharatanatyam with fluid modern movements and jazz-style Tamil tunes.
“The production was born out of the question: What if our epics were written by women?” Anisha Grover, director of Kealaka Dance Company, shares that she has long been inspired by Eve Ensler’s layered, unapologetic writing. vagina monologues And its focus is on the lived female experience “without being vulnerable.” It inspired him to think about the inherited stories and voices that have shaped our cultural history. “My practice intentionally applies a female lens to our ancient literature.rebel queen It’s an effort to restore complexity, agency and nuance, allowing women to write their own truths,” she adds.
The story brings together Kaikeyi, Draupadi, Karaikal Ammaiyar and Sita. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The production brings together Kaikeyi, Draupadi, Karaikal Ammaiyar and Sita– Women separated by time, yet bound by their experiences. The work unfolds through Bharatanatyam, contemporary dance, theater and live Tamil music – creating a layered, visceral language of storytelling. Anisha says, “While Kaikeyi confronts early motherhood and the repression of her political self, Draupadi transforms the trauma of her attack into awakening, Karaikal Ammaiyar rejects the body to embrace formless liberation and Sita emerges as Mahakali to redress patriarchal wrongs. Together, they show that despite the passage of time, there have been only minor changes in the status of women – bringing about change The practice of righteous anger is being demanded.”
According to Jyotsna Shourie, co-director of Keelaka Dance Company, Bharatanatyam today finds itself at the intersection of tradition and change. “The production strives to highlight the stylized classical form while reimagining the ancient tales for a new age audience.”
Talking about the music of the production, Anisha says that it is a mix of Indian classical, folk and jazz. Keelaka dancers play double roles of actors, speaking dialogues in English. Performance venues vary from a stage and black box to museums. “The plan is to make the audience a part of the show. We want it to be interactive so we can express what we want and get instant feedback.”
Keelaka’s scripts are inspired by our ancient texts and epics. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Some of Keelaka’s previous works include a dance theater titled ‘Sakhi’, which explored the imaginary friendship between Sita and Draupadi; ‘Kalatra’ on the dual dimensions of love between Lord Muruga and his consorts Devanai and Valli; ‘Ullaloom’, an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting poem and his first breakaway from Indian mythology and ‘Echoes of Time’,An immersive and interactive classical dance experience that took the audience through four eras as they moved from room to room. Keelaka has also collaborated with popular design brands like Ekaya Banaras, Raw Mango, Ogan and designer Gaurav Gupta as well as platforms like Design ID and India Art Fair.
Currently, they are developing a new production rooted in Tamil poetry, where text, dance and music are in constant conversation. Anisha says, “We are working with new dance vocabularies, where different styles inform and transform each other. We see sound as more than just an accompaniment. We are drawing from diverse sonic landscapes and styles, making the musicians active characters within the story.”
rebel queen Will be staged on April 9Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi.
published – April 01, 2026 01:20 PM IST