Kismet with Kali explores the dynamics of relationships and memories, tracing the change from expectation to acceptance. This piece weaves movement, poetry, theater, and live music to tell a story of holding on and letting go.

During my research trip to Kalarigram in Pondicherry, various temples in Kerala, and Kali Ghat in Kolkata, I saw many versions of Kali, whom I had read about in texts:  goddess of power, destruction, and fierce motherhood. But none of them matched the version I was searching for. The deeper I delved into her world, the more I realized that the Kali I looked for wasn’t in any text or image. So, I created that version of Kali. It also gave rise to the daughter’s voice, asking this mother questions, seeking comfort, understanding, and a sense of safety that feels out of reach.
Kismet with Kali embraces the idea that life is full of contradictions; even the figures we worship cannot escape that. As we navigate the expectations and responsibilities of being a mother, a daughter, or a guide, we often lose sight of our own identities. This work explores the shift from expectation to acceptance, not just of others, but of ourselves. It asks us to look beyond the roles we play and see the people we are.

Although I didn’t connect deeply with the religious side of Kali during my visits, the energy and spirit of those places had a strong impact on me. That energy is now woven into this work, offering a glimpse of a Kali who is both strong and vulnerable, much like us.
This piece invites you to a space where myth meets memory, where Kali doesn’t offer answers but allows us to ask deeper questions.

Credits

Concept, Choreography, Script & Dance: Shruti Abhishek

Dramaturge: Nadhi Thekkek

Mentor: Vaibhav Arekar

Music Co-direction: Sindhu Natarajan & Karthik Hebbar

Rhythm Composition (Kali Jati): Kaleeswaran Pillai, Vinod Anoor

Music Arrangement: Sindhu Natarajan

Facilitator & Writer: Jason Wyman

Original Music Collaborators: Sindhu Natarajan (Vocals), Asha Mana (Chenda), Aditya Iswara (Percussion), Vikram Raghukumar (Violin), Matt Small (Bass/Composition), Preethi Ramaprasad (Cymbals)

Recorded track: Sindhu Natarajan, Matt Small, Vinod Anoor (Percussion), Srinidhi (Violin), Shubha Santhosh (Veena), Deepika Potdar Panchamukhi (Cymbals)

Sound Engineer: Srinidhi Studios, Bangalore.

Creative Inputs: Deepika Potdar, Nadhi Thekkek, Preethi Ramaprasad & Vaibhav Arekar

Costume Design: Deepika Potdar

Videography: David Gaylord

Work Supported by: CA$H grant by Dancers Group & Alliance for California Traditional Arts

Special Thanks: Abhishek Ashok, Archana Ashok, Parvathy Kiran, Rohini. M. Singhi, Sri Thina Subramaniam & Jason Ditzian.