Chinmini Cross

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A senior practitioner of Sadir, a form practiced exclusively by the Devadasis. In-spite of legal and social censorship, Muthukkannamal's ghungroos have never stopped ringing. "Performing Sadir is my privilege, not a source of shame". She has kept alive the practice, rituals and spirit of the form, and at the age of eighty, continues to teach and perform. This is her first performance in Bangalore.

When I realised that I wanted to be a woman, I had to face a lot of resistance at home," reflects the sixty one year old Manjamma, a renowned performer of the Jogati Nritya, and recently appointed chairperson of the Karnataka Janapada Academy. Performed by transgender communities, the Jogati Nritya is considered an appeasement to the Goddess Yellama. 

RADHA AND LAXMI, FAMOUS CHOWDI PLAYERS AND SINGERS, Kokatnur, Karnataka 

One of the few Chowdki players, who has been stubborn about her practice. Radha's desire to play the instrument surpassed any obstacle she came through in her life. As a devadasi, she proudly held the Chowdki as a mark of her identity. When the string on her Chowdki broke, she fixed it with a badminton racket wire, and continues to play relentlessly.

Lavani derives its meaning from Lavanya, meaning, Beauty. Imtiaz and Akshata bring to life this Maharashtrian folk form, combining eroticism, desire, beauty and resistance, through song and dance. Working as performers and social activists, the performance embodies their politics, as they take the stage to assert and celebrate their multiple identities.

WHY THIS CONCERT NOW?  

We felt that the artists featured in the concert makes way for their expression, lived experiences and politics of performance is crucial to understanding the feminine from a gender, sexuality, class and caste perspectives. We believe that their politics is embodied in their performance, and it will give us a glimpse into what is often left out of mainstream histories. They have for years resisted different forms of oppression to stay committed to their art practice. We wish to learn from their experiences and world views. Further, they are delighted to perform in Bangalore as opportunities for them are rare. We believe their meeting on stage will help us witness collective struggle and the power of beauty.

Considering the bleak and violent socio-political environment around us, we paused to speculate and debate around the role of an arts festival and the artist, in times like these. What should the arts evoke in people: empathy, confrontation, anger or mourning? Chinmini Cross is an exercise to recognize the beauty, horror and pathos in daily life. We wish to draw attention to small acts of moral courage that subvert the borders drawn between us.To create a space of wonder and possibility that refuses to wilt away.