Delhi Events: "Mohan & Rambha" A dance drama on Mahatma Gandhi by Shovana Narayan at India Internatioanl Centre

Event Info : Mohan and Rambha - A dance drama on Mahatma Gandhi. A tribute to the memory of the late Prof. Ramchandra Gandhi
The extraordinary creative partnership between late writer-philosopher Prof Ramchandra Gandhi and eminent danseuse Shovana Narayan became pioneering efforts in opening the doors to dance-plays highlighting the narrative tradition of Kathak and also for its unique quest into unknown yet so relevant facets in the lives of contemporary sages. Together they produced seven plays all of which became landmarks in dance and creative writing
As a tribute to the memory of late Prof Ramchandra Gandhi, Shovana Narayan and India International Centre, are staging the dance-play ‘Mohan & Rambha’. India International Centre played a special role in this unique partnership for it was the venue for conception and discussion of ideas, formulating and translating them into dance plays and finally staging them. Ranjana Narayan will step into the role of narrator in this production that was always performed by Prof Ramchandra Gandhi in the past.

Synopsis of Mohan & Rambha : How was Mahatma Gandhi initiated into the chanting of Rama-Nama and what were the reasons behind it? On the basis of Mahatma’s own account on his initiation into chanting Rama-Nama by maid servant Rambha, writer-philosopher late Prof Ramchandra Gandhi has explored the meaning of this extraordinary testimony in his work Mohan and Rambha. It’s a contemplation on enquiry and illumination, love and martyrdom, a homage to the power (‘shakti’) which sustains sages.
“I have said before that there was in me a fear of ghosts and spirits. Rambha suggested, as a remedy for this fear, the repetition of Rama Nama. I had more faith in her than her remedy, and so at a tender age I began repeating Rama Nama to cure my fear of ghosts and spirits. This was of-course short-lived, but the good seed sown in childhood was not sown in vain. I think it is due to the seed sown by that good woman Rambha that today Rama Nama is an infallible remedy for me”.
(M.K.Gandhi, An Autobiography, Navjivan, 1990,
‘Glimpses of Religion’, p.27)
An exemplary meditative choreography, Shovana Narayan brings out with equal prowess the relation of faith and belief between the maid servant and young Mohandas. Through questions asked she has touched upon many issues relating to women, untouchability and human discrimination, which were so close to Mahatma’s heart.