Videos
2023 Competition Piece
Abhandhitha: A Shackled Past, A Boundless Future
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Ambika, a happy young girl, comes to the market with her mother. As she dances with her friends, she doesn't notice her mother buying a gold bangle with the last of their money. Ambika's mother regretfully explains that she must sell her off to the temple as a Devadasi to provide money for the family. A confused Ambika is welcomed into the temple by the older Devadasi women. Ambika, awestruck by the temple festivities, forgets the sadness of leaving home, but soon realizes she is getting married to God. Before Ambika can come to terms with her new reality, men in power take advantage of the young girl, leaving her utterly ravaged and devastated. A broken Ambika tries to tell the Devadasi women what happened, but they silence her - asking her to resign to her fate. As time passes, she turns numb. Though, she still holds onto the gold bangle. Many years later, after a performance, an older Ambika is approached by a mother asking to sell her daughter to the temple. Ambika refuses to let any other girl be subject to the same fate. So, she adamantly gives the mother the gold bangle gifted to her by her own mother. Ambika watches as the grateful mother leaves and realizes that though her fate is sealed, she can find solace in helping someone else.
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2022 Competition Piece
Karna: A Loyal Sacrifice
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Karna, a skillful archer, yearns to participate in an archery competition. However, because he is not a royal, he is rejected. Desperate, he approaches Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kaurava brothers, who generously grants him the status to compete. Karna successfully defeats Arjuna, Duryodhana's arch nemesis, in a competition. Stunned, Arjuna vowes that only one of them will survive the next time they battle. Amazed by Karna's talent, Duryodhana keeps him as a tool to plot the downfall of Arjuna. Back in the palace, King Dhritarashtra announces that the heir to his throne will either be Duryodhana or Arjuna. Duryodhana, who sought the crown his entire life, is enraged and vows to kill Arjuna in the Kurukshetra War, but deviously instructs Karna to battle on his behalf. Kunti, the Pandava's mother, reveals to him that he is her first born. She selfishly begs Karna not to fight his younger brother. Although Karna is torn, he remains loyal and chooses to battle Arjuna. Karna is tragically killed at the hands of his own brother, ultimately sacrificing his life to keep the promise of a friend.
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2021 Competition Piece
Princess Jasmine: Her Fight for the Crown
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In the city of Agrabah, lives princess Jasmine. One day while playing with her friends her dad tells her to find a husband to be the next ruler of the kingdom. After meeting with potential suitors she falls in love with Aladdin for his good heart. She embarks on a magical carpet ride but soon finds out that he was lying about his love for her and only cared about the money and power that came with being King. Jasmine rushes to her father and proves to him that she is strong enough to rule the kingdom herself. She ultimately triumphs to save the people of her kingdom to show that women are capable of leadership and greatness.
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2020 Competition Piece |
Silappatikaram: The Tale of the Ruby AnkletKannagi is the daughter of a wealthy sea merchant in Poompuhar, and is married to Kovalan. Kovalan leaves her to have an affair with Madhavi, and slowly loses all of his money to her. Realizing the error of his ways, he plans to earn back all the money and return to Kannagi. Kolvalan goes into Madurai to sell one of Kannagi’s ruby anklets in an effort to earn some money. At the same time, the royal goldsmith has stolen one of the Queen’s pearl anklets, and Kovalan is framed for this. The kind beheads Kovalan. Kannagi shows up and is enraged, she breaks her other anklet to prove that her husband was not a thief and sets the city of Madurai on fire to avenge his death.
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2019 Competition Piece
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ChitrangadaChitrangada is born as the only child to the King of Manipur and is raised like a boy due to lack of a male heir. While hunting with her friends in the forest, Chitrangada sees Arjuna and immediately falls in love, however he does not reciprocate. Frustrated, Chitrangada prays to Madana, god of love, and Vasantha, the god of spring and youth. They transform her into a beautiful feminine woman, rid of all her “manly” qualities. Chitrangada meets Arjuna again and this time he cannot help but fall in love with her. One day, the kingdom of Manipur is attacked and Arjuna learns from the people that their princess is the greatest warrior around and he wonders why she isn't there to help protect them now. Chitrangada appears and saves her kingdom, revealing her true self to Arjuna. Arjuna falls in love with her all over again, but this time her true self and she accepts her identity as a strong woman.
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Collaboration with Sidd Kel
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Natya UW's 2018-2019 team collaborated with Sidd Kel, a DJ and producer based out of Atlanta, GA, on this piece called Sanctify. The music is produced by Sidd Kel and created by Praveen Prathan, "The Flute Guy". Special thanks to Esha More for shooting the video and Sidd Kel for collaborating with us!
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2018 Competition Piece
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Akbar and Birbal: Catching a Thief
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One morning, King Akbar travels to a small village to visit the people of his kingdom who shower him in flowers and love. A sad merchant approaches the king and exclaims that his jewels and money were stolen over the night and begs the king to help him. Akbar consults his right hand and friend, Birbal to help him solve this mystery. Birbal, a witty man, gives all the villagers a stick and explains that they are magical and will grow over night if the owner is the culprit. The thief, in an attempt to outsmart Birbal, cuts his stick since he thinks it will grow. However, Birbal was one step ahead of him for these stick were not magical as everyone thought. When the thief’s stick was shorter than the rest, it was clear that he stole the possessions of the merchant. The village celebrates the victory and everyone, including Akbar, admires Birbal’s wittiness.
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2017 Showcase Piece
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Natya UW collaborated with UW Awaaz to put on a production called Expressions. This piece was the opening to the showcase. The song, Kannodu Kanbathellam from the movie Jeans, was previously recorded by our friends UW Awaaz. Special thanks to UW Awaaz for their collaborative efforts in this event!
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