A live dance-music-storytelling show based on the tale of Ahalya, a mythological woman from the Indian epic, Ramayana.
Ahalya was created by the deity Brahma as an impossibly beautiful woman. A besotted Indra seduces her in the guise of Gautama, her husband. Although Ahalya sees through his deception, she chooses to submit to her passions, only to face its dire consequences.
Conceived and performed by Shereen Saif in collaboration with award-winning Welsh storyteller and dramaturg Michael Harvey and musicians Manjeet Singh and Prashant Yeware, the show interweaves classical dance and music with contemporary storytelling to spotlight a woman who deviated from the cultural image that was constructed for women of her times.
Through a retelling of this ancient myth of Ahalya, the production explores traditional values in a modern world through the themes of love and loyalty, marriage and morals, desire and deceit, rage, revenge and repentance.
A Woman’s Mind uncovers the truth of a silenced character and presents her perspective in a way that connects with a diverse and cosmopolitan audience.
Language: English
Duration: 60mins
Awarded the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation's maiden (not sure about ‘maiden’ in the context of this show!) production grant in 2021,
A Woman's Mind premiered in Dubai in September 2022 with the support of the Alserkal Foundation and venue partner The Junction.
3 Shows: Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September at 7.30pm GST
In the lead up to the premiere, there will be a series of artists' talks held at Alserkal Avenue. Program will be published in August.
