‘Rebel Ranis’, a dance-theatre musical, gives a new voice to women from the epics

Delhi‑based Keelaka Dance Company fuses Bharatanatyam with contemporary dance, theatre, and live Tamil jazz in its prodcution -- Rebel Ranis

A new bold dance-theatre musical — ‘Rebel Ranis’ — that reimagines female narratives from our epics through a contemporary lens, is an initiative of the Delhi-based Keelaka Dance Company. It blends Bharatanatyam with fluid modern movements and jazz-style Tamil tunes.

“The production was born from the question: What if our epics were written by women?” shares Aneesha Grover, director, Keelaka Dance Company, who has long been inspired by the layered, unapologetic writing of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues and its focus on lived female experience “without dilution”. It led her to think about the inherited narratives and voices that have shaped our cultural history. “My practice applies an intentional feminine gaze to our ancient literature.Rebel Ranis is an attempt to restore complexity, agency and nuance, allowing women to author their own truths,” she adds.

The story brings together Kaikeyi, Draupadi, Karaikal Ammaiyar and Sita. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The production brings together Kaikeyi, Draupadi, Karaikal Ammaiyar and Sita— women separated by time, yet bound by their experiences. The work unfolds through Bharatanatyam, contemporary dance, theatre and live Tamil music — creating a layered, visceral language of storytelling. “While Kaikeyi confronts early maternity and the suppression of her political self, Draupadi transforms her trauma of assault into awakening, Karaikal Ammaiyar rejects the body to embrace formless liberation and Sita rises as Mahakali to redress patriarchal wrongs. Together, they reveal that despite time’s passage, the condition of women has only shifted marginally — demanding a practice of righteous rage to create change,” says Aneesha.

According to Jyotsna Shourie, co-director of Keelaka Dance Company, Bharatanatyam today finds itself at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. “The production tries to demystify the stylised classical form while reimagining ancient narratives for a new-age audience.”

Talking about the production’s music, Aneesha says it’s a mix of Indian classical, folk and jazz. Keelaka’s dancers take on the dual role of actors, delivering dialogues in English. The performance site varies from a stage and the black box to museums. “The plan is to make viewers part of the show. We want it interactive to able to convey what we want and get instant feedback.”