Indian Mythology and Me

Two dancers with arms stretched wide one in front of the other in Indian Mythology and Me
Sheetal Gandhi, front, and Shyamala Moorty, behind, in Indian Mythology and Me

This dynamic duet artfully weaves foot rhythms, hand gestures and facial expressions into an interactive exploration of Indian mythology and its connections to our world today.  Audience members are playfully integrated into the performance as each story emphasizes empathy and the power of expression in Indian dance forms. Indian Mythology and Me offers innovative and contemporary interpretations of traditional texts that reinforce human compassion and celebrate our differences.  

photo of performer leading a line of kids pretending to be mice

The stories include “Bheema Meets Hanuman” from the epic Mahabharata in which Hanuman teaches Bheema the folly of judging an individual based on their appearance; “The Mice That Set Elephants Free” from the Panchantantra Folktales in which a small mouse proves his worth to a doubting elephant; and  “Durga and Mahishasura,” a mythological story connected to the festival of Navaratri, in which the equality of genders is celebrated.

Two dancers jumping with a long blue cloth stretched between them overhead.

These stories are expressed through theater and contemporary Indian dance movement based on the North and South Indian classical dances, Kathak and Bharatanatyam, as well as the Gujarati folk dance Garba Raas. Audiences will be entertained and enlightened as they experience first-hand the power of story-telling through hand gestures, rhythms and facial expressions.  

Filmed show available for booking now through the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts: BOOK HERE

Promo for filmed show: https://share.scfta.org/watch/j8bhdLFb1SzYrpKX4gjio3

Created by Sheetal Gandhi, Ulka Simone Mohanty and Shyamala Moorty

Set by Khushboo Kataria Gulati

Created with support from the Music Center on Tour and the Pinchuk Grant 

Special thanks to the Aman Dance Educators, The Children’s Museum at La Habra, The Segerstrom Center, and the The Ford Amphitheatre