Tribe Verified· Inspired by 14th-century Marathi Varkari poetry.

VitthāMāi: Exploring Devotion and Gender Through Dance

byDivya RaviAvailable in London, Berlin & major Indian citiesStarts from₹25,000 per itemView full gallery

I created VitthāMāi to look at divinity not as a distant concept, but through the lived experiences of saints like Janabai and Tukaram. It is a performance that brings 14th-century Marathi poetry into our modern lives through movement.

In *VitthāMāi*, we explore the many facets of maternal love through the eyes of Varkari saint poets. This sequence brings together the motifs of four different characters: Sena the barber, Tukaram who saw God as a ghost, the devotee Chokhamela, and Janabai, the child bathed by God.

Capturing the fun and affection of *VitthāMāi*, where we explore the deity Vitthala as a mother figure. This piece was commissioned and filmed as a digital work before we began presenting excerpts of it live, and the energy on stage is always incredible.

This abhanga by Janabai, where she imagines God massaging her head and giving her a bath, is a profoundly maternal image. Choreographically, I played with the words 'Chakrapani' (wielder of the discus) and 'Haati gheuniya loni' (taking butter in hand) to bring this tender vision to life.

Meet VitthāMāi, the matriarch of Pandharpur. This production reimagines the deity through the lens of Marathi abhangs, exploring a relationship with the divine that is nurturing, playful, and deeply personal.

In *VitthāMāi*, each devotee has a unique relationship with the divine, just as siblings do with a mother. This image captures the character of Tukaram, who saw Vitthala as a mischievous ghost who wouldn't let him go, granting liberation instead of mortal pleasures.

This pose embodies the character of Tukaram's "Mothe Bhoot" or great ghost from *VitthāMāi*. I drew inspiration from Christopher Bruce’s ‘Ghost Dances’ and folk forms like Bhoota Kola and Theyyam to create a character that is both fearsome and liberating.

The Varkari tradition brought God to the streets, and that's what we did here. This impromptu 'Vaari' or procession through Hounslow High Street before a performance was about making the art accessible, turning the street into a 'Naamacha Bazaar' where everyone could join in.

A glimpse of *VitthāMāi* in performance. This piece tells the story of the housemaid Janābāi, who believed that only her Vitthā-bāi, her mother Vitthala, could free her from the cycles of birth and death. The energy of the chanting musicians and the story is always powerful.

A moment from "Janabai-Vitthamai," an excerpt from the full work *VitthāMāi*. This piece explores the tender, maternal relationship between the devotee Janabai and her god, Vitthala, through beautiful Marathi poetry.

Performing in an intimate courtyard space presents unique challenges and opportunities. Here, I adapted the choreography for *VitthāMāi* to a 6-foot deep stage, using the architecture to enhance the storytelling of Varkari literature.

About VitthāMāi: Exploring Devotion & Gender

When I perform VitthāMāi, I am not just reciting traditional lines. I am navigating the complex, often messy relationships between devotees and the divine. Whether I am portraying the playful Janabai or the mischievous Tukaram, my focus is on the human emotion behind the theology. If you are looking to commission this for a festival, a private house concert, or a studio showcase, keep in mind that I work closely with musicians to ensure the music and movement are synchronized, so I typically recommend at least four weeks of lead time for thematic productions.

Inspired by 14th-century Marathi Varkari poetry. — Approved by the tribe

Divya Ravi

Available in London, Berlin & major Indian citiesStarts from ₹25,000 per item

I’m Divya. For me, dance is how I live, listen, and dig into the stories that get lost in the noise. I create performances that turn rare poetry into movement, aiming to make ancient voices feel urgent and real for audiences today.