For women around the world

AHMEDABAD: “I might disperse the southern clouds, I might drain out the sea, I might cure the incurable sick, But I cannot convince a fool.” Back in the 14th century when Kashmiri seer and mystic Lalleshwari (Lalla or Lal Ded) spoke of the rigidness of the mind in changing bad habits — whether one’s own or of those around us — her verses rang true of the continuous atrocities meted out to women and the pointless need for women to stick to societal norms, no matter how painful the circumstances or which century it may be.Remembering Lalla and her fight for freedom from taboos and boundaries could not have come at a more appropriate time when the entire nation is protesting against the horrendous gang rape in Delhi.
The three-day Vikram Sarabhai International Arts Festival from December 28 dedicates its 37th edition to women across India.
“Staging ‘Women with broken wings’ and ‘And Lalla sang’ is an effort to educate and eradicate violence against women in all spheres,” says Mallika Sarabhai. “Both performances are at opposite ends: the former focusing on murdered women and the evil practice of dowry, and the latter bringing to light a woman who —in another age and time — chose her own path of life in search of God,” she adds.
'Women with broken wings’ will be touring India in the coming months.
'And Lalla sang’ is a tribute to a free-spirited woman who questioned life and truth, and her Vach (sayings) which were verbally passed down to generations of Kashmiris are being transformed into a multimedia performance by Sarabhai and Yadavan Chandran on December 28 and 29 at Natarani. The performers from Darpana will be accompanied by Portuguese cellist Alfredo de Magalhaes and Australian DJ Jesse Sullivan.
Created and performed by Elizabeth Sombart of Resonance Foundation together with Sarabhai and Chandran, ‘Women of broken wings’ delves into the nine stages of a woman — from girlhood to death. This will be performed on December 30.