Meera Balasubramanian, who recently represented Singapore at the Asean performing arts festival in Cambodia, is set to present a dance-theatre production here that narrates the extraordinary life of Draupadi, the fierce heroine of the Indian epic Mahabharata.
The dancer-actor, who is committed to showcasing Indian cultural heritage on international platforms, performed a bharatanatyam item at November’s One Cultural Garden event in Cambodia which was organised by the Royal University of Fine Arts.
She also did a presentation on the topic “Preservation and Promotion of Classical/Folklore Dance in Singapore”.
“I believe art is an incredibly powerful medium that forges deep connections between people, and that is why I wanted to do a show on Draupadi, who remains deeply relevant in today’s world,” said Meera, 40, who runs the Kalpavriksha Fine Arts academy in Singapore.
“She is an interesting personality because her identity goes beyond being married to five men. She embodied the themes of justice, dignity, sacrifice and inner power, which remain deeply relevant in today’s world.
“The production highlights her as a symbol of unwavering courage in the face of adversity, challenging societal norms and standing as a beacon of inspiration for all.”
Draupadi, noted for her beauty and courage, is the wife of the five Pandava brothers, who are among the centrals characters in Mahabharata. Meera’s dance-drama Yajnaseni – The Eternal Flame, which will be staged at the School of the Arts (SOTA) on Feb 14 at 8pm in Tamil and Feb 15 at 8pm in English, focuses on the twists and turns in her action-filled journey.
Through the elegance of bharatanatyam, it traces her fiery birth, the swayamvara (ancient marriage ceremony) that alters her fate and the devastating humiliation that sparks a great war.
It also looks at her unwavering commitment to dharma (behaviour that is in harmony with the “order and custom” that sustains life) which transforms her into a symbol of resilience and divinity, culminating in a profound connection to the present generation, where her story continues to inspire strength and justice.
Meera, who plays the main protagonist and dance lead, conceptualised the show, She also directed it and did a part of the choreography.
“When I chanced upon books on Draupadi, it got me thinking, and I had the urge to present it in a dance-drama format,” she said. “Draupadi’s birth, life, everything was for a cause; for a greater good. This makes her divine, yet she succumbed to human emotions and conflicts, and she overcame all the trials and tribulations in her life through grace and power.”
Six young Singaporean dancers, who represent the voice of today’s women, join Meera on stage as the ensemble. Music is by O.S. Arun and Eswar Ramakrishnan, and choreography by senior dancer Hari Padman.
Meera was aided by scholar Sudha Seshayyan and kathakali (a dance form) expert Sadnam Balakrishnan on research and lyrics for some compositions.
The appearance at Asean in One Cultural Garden in Cambodia has come as a timely booster for Meera. The event fostered awareness and appreciation of Asean’s Intangible Cultural Heritage with a particular focus on traditional dance. It brought together artistes from all 10 Asean countries to discuss, create and perform.
Meera, who represented Singapore at last year’s Sarong Diplomacy cultural event in Kuala Lumpur, was selected by the National Heritage Board to be Singapore’s cultural ambassador because of her deep connection to the arts scene here. As a performing artiste and an active contributor to Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry, she has been involved in engaging communities in traditional arts to promote harmony and cultural understanding.
“My presentation emphasised the significance Singapore places on culture and tradition as a means of uniting communities,” she said. “It also highlighted the support provided for the preservation and promotion of classical arts in the country.”
