VitthāMāi: Bharatanatyam Exploring the Maternal Divine
This production reimagines the deity Vitthala as a mother figure, weaving together Marathi Abhanga poetry with narrative Bharatanatyam. It explores the fluidity of devotion and the complex, maternal relationships found within the Varkari tradition.
Meet VitthāMāi, the matriarch of Pandharpur. This work, created with a dream team, explores the concept of Vitthala as a mother, a theme I am very excited to share.
"When the devotees sing their abhangs, strewn about like colour, what can the lord do except dance in abandon?" This video captures the colorful, joyful energy of VitthāMāi, inspired by the festival of Holi.
This sequence from "Vitthala, My Mother" brings together four different characters and their unique relationships with the divine. It was a mind-body twisting challenge to choreograph, but so rewarding.
This Abhanga by Janabai, where she imagines God giving her a head massage and a bath, is a beautiful and poignant depiction of Madhura Bhakti. It’s a vision that stayed with me for years before finding its way into this piece.
On Ashādi Ekādashi, I reflect on the wisdom of Janābāi, who said, "It is only my Vitthā-bāi that can free you from these repeating cycles of birth and death." This work is a tribute to that profound belief.
A Varkari concert in a beautiful but challenging intimate space in Hyderabad. Dancing with only 6 feet of depth pushed my boundaries, but the connection with the eclectic audience was incredible.
This Eknath Abhang explores the dichotomy of human desire: to be an individual, yet to merge with something greater. The game of "Phugdi" symbolizes this, with hands interlocked in an infinity, blurring all boundaries.
About this collection
This performance isn't just about dance steps; it’s an academic and spiritual exploration. To bring the Abhangas of saints like Janabai or Tukaram to life, I rely heavily on live musical accompaniment, which allows the performance to breathe and adapt to the energy of each specific venue. If you are planning a screening or a live show, please note that this production requires a dedicated lighting plot to effectively capture the transition between characters and the distinct 'Mothe Bhoot' (ghost) sequences.
The VitthāMāi project is the result of years of diving into the Varkari Sampraday, a movement that allowed blue-collared workers and saints alike to find God in the mundane. Rather than treating maternal love as a one-dimensional concept, this performance delves into the specific, individual dynamics shared by saints like Janabai, Tukaram, and Chokhamela.
The Performance Experience
Each piece explores a different facet of devotion. You will see me shift from the vulnerability of the saint-poets to the high-energy, darker characterizations found in folk-inspired pieces like the 'Mothe Bhoot'. It is a physically demanding work, utilizing silence, breath, and precise Abhinaya to ensure the poetry—sung in Marathi—is felt by the audience, regardless of their familiarity with the language.
Technical Requirements for Venues
Whether performing in a traditional sabha or an intimate studio, I work closely with my team to ensure the scenography supports the narrative. Because this is a dance-theatre production, the lighting designer is just as essential as the vocalist. We often incorporate silhouettes and specific mood lighting to delineate the separation between the devotee and the divine. For organisers, I recommend a space that allows for at least 6 to 8 feet of depth to accommodate the blocking and character shifts. I also include a post-performance interaction, as the research behind these texts often sparks deep questions from the audience.
Divya Ravi
I am Divya Ravi. For me, dance is a way of digging into stories that often get lost, especially the forgotten voices of women from the past. When I step on stage as 'VitthāMāi', I am not just performing; I am inviting you into a conversation about devotion, motherhood, and the messy, beautiful reality of faith.
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