Veena C Sheshadri on ‘Jaanami Jaanaki’: ‘Celebrating Sita’s wisdom and courage’

Classical dancer Veena C Sheshadri collaborates with film director/actor Suchendra Prasad for a stage production, ‘Jaanami Jaanaki’

Veena C Sheshadri, an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, was looking at a theatrical performance that was rooted in dance and music. That is when she decided to come up with Jaanami Jaanaki: ARelentless Saga, a solo production that celebrates Sita and women. Taken from Valmiki Ramayana, the Sanskrit production is directed by film and theatre actor-director K Suchendra Prasad.

“The production focusses on Sita. She symbolises courage, strength, endurance and patience. Her life was not easy. She had her struggles as a wife, mother, and daughter, which today’s women can identify with. Jaanami Jaanaki celebrates Sita and her wisdom and compassion; it depicts her as a fighter, counsellor, healer and nurturer.”

Veena says, “Sita teaches us to perform our duties as a wife and mother with patience, yet she fights and stands her ground against injustice. One does not need to be a warrior to fight. You just need to follow your path.”

We are self-indulgent, now, Veena feels. “We fight for our own identity. There is so much ‘I’ in everything that we do. Sita is compared to the earth — she weathers all seasons and also bears life, but can turn into a volcano when she is against injustice.”

Veena does not like calling her production drama, dance or music. “I would say it is a performance-based presentation as I do not believe in defining arts or limiting it to dance, music or theatre. I see it as an amalgamation. It is like the Natyashastra, which includes all performing arts.”

About Prasad being a part of this production, Veena says, that the two had collaborated on other projects. Veena has also been a part of the Sanskrit feature film Ekachankram, directed by Prasad. “That was when I approached him to direct this production as I have directed most of my works and wanted a new perspective for Sita”.

Jaanami Jaanaki symbolises our roles in life too, Veena says. “Each of us plays a different role every day. That is what is projected on to the performance.”