"Abducted” is an experimental Bharatanatyam dance production inspired by stories of abduction and abuse of women and female-presenting individuals from India and around the world. It explores themes of power, abuse and female rage through the lens of dance.

Drawing on the archetype of the Hindu goddess Kali - symbol of a divine feminine energy that holds within herself the ability to annihilate evil and rejuvenate life - Rukmini Vijayakumar embodies the collective female rage against systemic abuse of power, rejecting the dehumanising objectification of the female body, reclaiming self-determination and agency. Through dance she calls for collective transformation, asking: At which point does the abuse of power awaken the Kali within us?

In an experimental artistic approach the performance challenges and expresses sociopolitically and culturally relevant themes accompanied by live music from local artists. After successful international performances, "Abducted" will debut in Switzerland on February 21, 2025 at Querfeldhalle, Basel.

Doors: 19.30

16+

Concept & Choreography: Rukmini Vijayakumar, Music composition: R Raghuram, Light design: Niranjan Gokhale / Gyan Dev Singh

A collaboration by Indira Performing Arts & Curated by Shalini