How Divya Hoskera saw Sita as a force of nature

‘Vanavasini’, performed by Praveen Kumar’s student Divya Hoskere at Kalavahini’s Dance for Dance Festival, was a thoughtful exploration of Sita as both a woman and a primal presence, rooted in Valmiki Ramayana, yet filtered through poetic introspection.

The evening began with a thought-provoking invocation that set the ideological tone. Sita was imagined as a spark of lightning, Rama was imagined as a dark, raining cloud, indivisible forces whose union soothes the scorched earth. Lakshmana appears as a gentle breeze, completing a delicate natural triad. Divya’s choice to frame the epic’s heroes through elemental metaphors immediately underlined the central idea of ​​the production: Sita as a forest dweller, who belongs to the narrative as well as to the forest.

Divya Hoskere’s training was evident in the precision and rhythmic integrity of her adavas, which were executed with a good sense of timing. , Photo Credit: Raghunathan SR

One of the most effectively conveyed moments was the depiction of Sita’s radiance attracting the forest towards her.

The episode of Ram, Sita and Lakshman arriving at Atri and Asanasuya’s ashram was handled with restraint and warmth. Atri’s rigorous asceticism, Anasuya’s welcoming embrace and the land nurtured by her spiritual discipline were portrayed with clarity.

Divya’s training was evident in the precision and rhythmic integrity of her adavas, which were executed with a good sense of timing. While her movement retained lightness and bounce, it was constantly linked to a deep awareness of the body, giving stability even to the elaborate passages across the stage.

Divya Hoskere’s portrayal of the Abhisarika heroine was confident and beautiful. Photo Credit: Raghunathan SR

The dialogue between Sita and Anasuya formed the emotional core of the work. Anasuya’s views on companionship and satisfaction in marriage were presented without any preachiness, which naturally piqued Sita’s curiosity as a newlywed. Giving gifts of flowers and jewelery became a symbol of permanent knowledge rather than a ritual exchange. Sita’s recollection of her swayamvara and the moment of Ram holding her hand appeared like poetry. Divya succeeded in capturing Sita’s emotions with sensitivity, relying on subtle acting rather than overt gestures.

In the end, as Sita leaves the ashram in search of Ram, nature comes alive once again. Divya’s portrayal as the Abhisarika heroine was confident and beautiful. The music track used in the production aided his efforts.

Divya Hoskere captured Sita’s emotions with sensitivity, relying on subtle acting rather than overt gestures. , Photo Credit: Raghunathan SR