‘The Draupadi Phenomenon’ represents the voice of today’s women through the historic character of Draupadi. Draupadi, the most strongest and will powered women in history ironically was never allowed to live her own life according to her will or in her own terms. She was brought up as a heroic princesses having profound understanding of war fare, art and culture, inter-personal skills and human relations, politics and economics, state well fare, house hold chores and lot more .Probably she was a much more complete and competent and compassionate individual than those who tried to decide her fate.
The humiliation on the day of game of dice became history of shame for mankind, the history initiated by her own husbands by pawning her in the game of dice. But this was not the first instance, much before that she was shared with other men by her own beloved husband Arjuna. She loved with her mind ,body, soul only Arjuna and had married him only, but had to the pay the price of Arjuna’s greatness throughout her life. She had to stay with year after year and bear children from, Ydhistir , Vim , Nakul, Sahadev, men whom she never desired or loved , what humiliation and mental agony! So Arjun to be “Virpurus “ to history ,Draupadi had to pay the price and on the day of the game of dice, Arjun to be “ Kapurush “ Draupadi had to pay the price ? So a women’s life is to pay the price?Krukshetra was fought and won by the Pandavas yet it could not wipe out the shame and humiliation that Draupadi suffered from. In spite of such burning example, history is constantly repeating itself and there has been yet no respite for all women, from” The Draupadi Phenomenon”. Women are yet not allowed to live her own life in her own terms.
This Odissi chorographical venture culminates to the burning question ,has not the time come to let women live with honour , dignity ,self respect and carve her own niche ,own identity and live her life , her way ? ‘The Draupadi Phenomenon’ demands to let all women live her life in her own terms |
India Today( National edition) 25th Dec 2006, pg 100.
Odissi danseuse Sanchita Bhattacharya believes every woman is Draupadi. The Draupadi Phenomenonconveys the plight of women who are victims of domestic violence even in this modern times. Her production is a part of an attempt … to make classical form of music and dance more contextual to today’s audience. …
Hindustan (Delhi): 27 Aug 2005”Odissi ki prasiddhya nrityaangana Sanchita Bhattacharya Mahabharat ki pramukh charitra Draupadi ko mahilao ki sakthi wah urja ka pratik banati hay…”
HT Kolkata :June 20th 2005 –She(Sanchita) and her troupe captured admirably the pain and agony of Draupadi to address issues on womanhood in general.
The Statesman 25th April 2008 :Sanchita Bhattacharya dealt with this age-old problem in the dance drama in Odissi style. It is the plea of the choreographer to allow women to lead their lives on their terms. The feelings of Draupadi are, of course, universal and defy time. |
