ABANDHANA

Pāli – Unfettered

Ancient poetry. Bharatanatyam. Live music.
2500-year-old feminist voices become strikingly contemporary through a visceral dance-theatre performance.

Abandhanā is a breathtaking immersion into the heart-wrenching voices in the Therigāthā (Songs of Buddhist Nuns), the earliest anthology of women’s writings from the Indian Subcontinent, authored around 6th century BCE.

Divya interweaves virtuosic Bharatanatyam movement vocabulary alongside live musicians in an earthy spatial narrative, bringing ancient poetry into contemporary feminist discourse.

Multi-percussions, cello melodies and evocative poetry sung in Pāli language are layered atop a visceral soundscape, marrying Indian Music and Tibetan sonic textures.

Abandhanā is an artistic reminder to seek illumination, freedom, agency and transcendence. It is inspired by the single-mindedness of the Theri-s who lived, desired, endured, grieved, resisted and sought to release the fetters that held them back.

Dancer Divya Ravi holding the gesture of a lamp in the hand, resting on the singer's chest.

Dancer Divya Ravi depicting agitation, flanked by 2 musicians.

Dancer Divya Ravi holding a mirror gesture, with percussionist holding a Khanjira behind

Dancer Divya Ravi extending her hand out to reach towards a cellist

CAST & COLLABORATORS

Concept, Movement & Visual Design, Dance Divya Ravi
Sound Design, Vocals Sharan Subramanian
Rhythms, Multi-percussions Abhiram Sahathevan
Cello Liz Hanks
Lighting Design Claire Childs
Sound Engineer Camilo Tirado
Dramaturg Subathra Subramaniam
Rehearsal Director Pallavi Anand
Sound Score Producer Praveen D Rao
Pali Resource Scholar Suhas Mahesh
Touring Producer Moving Art Management

“Abandhana by Divya Ravi is a mature work that confirms Ravi’s presence as a performer. The fact she’s joined by two musicians and one singer of a similar calibre only adds to the sophistication of the piece. Ravi as a dancer is articulate and expressive, and communicates a potent juxtaposition of determination and fear through her movement.” Matthew Paluch (Resolution Reviews)

“The dancer – dynamic, expressive responds to the music; the music and sound represent what binds her and the enlightenment she seeks; the musicians themselves physically interact with her. The chanting and the hymns continue to resonate in one’s mind after the performance.”
Gopa Roy (Pulse Connects)

Abandhanā in your city

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DIVYA RAVI

Performer | Choreographer | Educator

Contact

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learnwithdivyaravi@gmail.com