Zohra Segal (1912-2014) was an epitome of versatility and lived a life marked by defying conventions with elegance. Born as Sahibzadi Zohra Begum Mumtaz-ullah Khan in an aristocratic Muslim family in Saharanpur, she shattered societal norms at a time when it was unheard of for women to step out of prescribed roles.
Since Zohra’s passing, her daughter, renowned Odissi dancer Kiran Segal, has been organizing an annual event as a tribute to her mother’s artistic legacy. “I launched the festival in 2016. Art was what defined her. So, the remembrance event is dedicated to her passion for acting and dance,” Kiran explains. This year, the Zohra Segal Trust, in collaboration with the India International Centre and supported by the Raza Foundation, is set to present the annual Zohra Segal Festival of the Arts at the IIC in Delhi.
Reflecting Zohra’s spirit, the festival’s lineup is as eclectic as it is intriguing. The festival will kick off with a performance of Fado, a genre of music that originated in Portugal and has been adopted by Goan artists. This combination of music and poetry, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011, is known for its melancholic tone. Traditionally, Fado singers were never invited to perform, which lends an air of authenticity to the performance. This time, Shrushti and Swaraa Prabhudessai will present Fado, accompanied by guitarists Franz Schubert Cotta and Sherwyn Correia.
Reflecting on Zohra’s career, Kiran shares a moment of nostalgia through a photograph of her mother, taken years ago. The festival’s second day will highlight the journey of Lavani, a vibrant folk dance from Maharashtra, tracing its evolution from the 1800s. This narrative will be presented by Kali Billi Productions and Savitri Medhatul, featuring three dancers who will perform in the traditional storytelling format. Zohra Segal’s years in Mumbai, particularly her time at Prithvi Theatre as a dance director, make the focus on this Maharashtrian dance form pertinent.
. When she and her husband Kameshwar had to relocate to Bombay from Lahore in the 1940s due to political unrest, it was Prithvi Theatre that offered Zohra her first breakthrough in the dance department. “In those days, they were called dance directors, not choreographers,” Kiran notes.
Over the years, the Zohra Segal Festival of the Arts has presented a diverse array of performances, ranging from theatre in various languages to qawwali, dastangoi, and dance. Past editions have also featured a stunning performance by Bengali ‘dhak’ artists, which received widespread acclaim. The festival’s unique curation reflects Zohra’s penchant for bringing lesser-known art forms into the spotlight. “She herself loved all the attention she got,” Kiran adds, recalling her mother’s love for the limelight.
Zohra Segal’s multifaceted talent extended beyond dance and acting. She was also a skilled poet, and her recitations were always well-received. However, many are unaware of her accomplishments in London, where she spent more than two decades making a name for herself on British television and in films. When she returned to India in 1987, settling in Delhi with her daughter Kiran, she focused primarily on Hindi films, continuing her acting career until her death in 2014.
“My mother considered herself a citizen of the world,” Kiran reminisces. Zohra’s education spanned continents; she studied at Queen Mary in Lahore before traveling to Germany to learn under dance pioneer Mary Wigman. She also spent time in Almora, working with Uday Shankar’s group, before settling in various cities, including Lahore and Mumbai, due to the demands of her career and marriage.
One remarkable aspect of the Zohra Segal Festival of the Arts is that it is non-ticketed and entirely supported by donations from well-wishers. This community-driven approach underscores the enduring impact of Zohra’s life and work on both the artistic community and her admirers.
The festival, scheduled for this weekend, promises to offer an enriching experience filled with diverse performances, all while keeping Zohra Segal’s legacy alive and celebrating her indomitable spirit.
