Rehearsal: The CCA group going through the movements under the guidance of the Dhananjayans. Photo: Shaju John

A meaningful theme with a sharp relevance to the present, arresting choreography, music that effortlessly ranges from the classical to the folk, and vibrant, well researched costumes — all these promise to make "Ekaantha Seetha... a lonely furrow" a professional show.

Produced by the Cleveland Cultural Alliance and choreographed by Shanta and V. P. Dhananjayan, the dance-drama's premiere will be presented by the Crafts Council of India at the Music Academy on September 12, 7 p.m.

T. V. Gopalakrishnan is the music director, Ranjitha Ashok is responsible for concept development and script, costumes have been designed by Lakshmi Srinath and the sets by Lakshmi Krishnamurthi.

This production is a tribute to the strengths of women, especially those who have overcome odds and though alone, have managed to blaze a trail for others to follow. Armed with determination that helps them rise above their circumstances, these are women who believe in themselves and their worth.

"Ekaantha Seetha" links the past and present: it threads together epics, history and our contemporary realities through music and dance.

Seetha, who undergoes a courageous ordeal by fire and later raises her twin sons in exile. Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi who held aloft the flag of freedom, Aparajitha, the iconic woman of today, are the heroines of the three segments woven into a three-hour presentation, which has 16 dancers taking part.

Guru and mentor
V.P.Dhananjayan performs the role of the guru and mentor in all three parts while Shanta Dhananjayan and Rathna Kumar are the narrators. The roles of the heroines are performed by Sreelatha Vinod, Sujatha Srinivasan and Pavithra Srinivasan.

"Only the Dhananjayans could have handled this particular theme as it needs mature choreography. It is also appropriate as they performed for us 15 years ago when the CCA was inaugurated", says Uma Ganesan, president of the Cleveland Cultural Alliance and the moving spirit behind the production.

"After shifting to India, I have been reading many newspaper reports about women from small towns who triumph over adversity and accomplish extraordinary things — starting self-help groups, educating their children and coping with alcoholic husbands. The work has been inspired by them. And who can be the bedrock of the theme but Seetha, the 'Veera Arya Kanya?' We have used Valmiki's verses and also those written by Prof. Prashanth of Vivekananda College in the same metre. Sanskrit, English and Hindi are the languages used in the production, which we feel will appeal to young people too. Our aim is to entertain and educate".

"I have made use of a lot of innovative movements. The dance drama shows how our traditional idiom is capable of handling even the contemporary'", says Dhananjayan. "The artistes are excellent dancers and bring their own valuable contribution to the work".

This is not a feminist interpretation, adds Shanta.

"Ekaantha Seetha" will tour 28 cities in the U.S.

Kausalya Santhanam