Since its founding in 2014, Katradi, an initiative developed by Wind Dancers Trust in India and operating out of Chennai, has become a beacon for addressing overlooked educational topics through the transformative power of the arts. Katradi’s efforts are steered by its founder, Sangeeta Isvaran, who champions the cause of bringing vital yet neglected subjects into the educational sphere, recognizing that conventional teaching often sidesteps critical issues such as child sex abuse, reproductive health, and systemic studies on gender and caste. “We believe in kalai mulamma kali, which means art through education,” shares Sangeeta, emphasizing their dedication to nurturing an informed and empathetic society.
Katradi’s work spans different communities, focusing on women, children, and broader societal groups to instigate meaningful learning experiences. These efforts are articulated through a variety of projects that Sangeeta has described as aiming to bridge educational gaps by fostering community engagement. Among various social themes, environmental conservation, seen through the lens of community impact, holds particular significance for Katradi. The initiative aims to highlight what everyday individuals can do to contribute to conservation efforts and to educate communities about their integral role in environmental protection and sustainability.
A prime example of Katradi’s approach is the project titled “Shhh… Listen!”, commissioned by the Bengaluru-based Student Conference for Conservation Science (SCCS) to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Co-conceived by Sangeeta and Thilagavathi Palani, the founder of Sri Krishna Kattaikkuttu Khuzu, the theater piece underscores the urgent need for ecosystem preservation. Central to this year’s theme, “Wetlands Aren’t Wastelands,” the production adeptly addresses misconceptions about wetlands, frequently marginalized as derelict lands instead of critical ecological hubs. Sangeeta underscores that these areas are often ignored, degraded, and dismissed in favor of development projects, such as turning them into building sites.
“Shhh… Listen!” reflects Katradi’s ability to intertwine cultural storytelling with pressing societal issues, expertly achieving an engaging fusion of serious narrative with humor. The storyline involves frogs residing in a threatened marshland, with their antagonist depicted as a JCB—a metaphor for ever-advancing developmental pressures. Alongside, Yama, a deity representing truth and equilibrium, appears to communicate a profound message about humans’ contribution to ecological imbalance and self-destruction.
. The narrative powerfully articulates how human disconnection from nature fosters environmental degradation, reinforcing that humans are an intrinsic part of nature’s tapestry.
The play features a collection of original songs, each set to the rhythm of traditional performance arts such as kattaikkuttu—a rural theatrical form—oyilattam—a folk dance—and the refined discipline of Bharatanatyam stage plays. These artistic expressions are meticulously chosen to reflect cultural authenticity while embodying the narrative’s thematic depth. Sangeeta reveals plans to expand the reach of “Shhh… Listen!” post-commission, intending to incorporate it into educational outreach programs across schools for students to appreciate the interconnectedness of all natural entities, even within their vicinity such as the nearest tree.
Despite being rooted in Chennai, Katradi’s initiatives have journeyed far and wide, extending their impact to locales like Manipur, France, Mexico, and among Ukrainian refugees, all through the empowering conduit of theatre and arts. Their projects are anchored not just in education, but also in facilitating empowerment and resolving conflict within these diverse regions. Sangeeta, vividly recalling her project experiences in Madagascar’s Ranomafana Natural Park, reflects on how traditional art practices communicate and instigate change.
Emphasizing inclusivity, Sangeeta elaborates that Katradi’s composition spans various socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, castes, and physical abilities. In a testament to its principles, an upcoming performance in Bengaluru will see the debut of a quadriplegic artist, narrating the performance in English.
Katradi’s engagement with the arts as a conduit for education and social change persists with deep intent and integrity. Their performance “Shhh… Listen!” is scheduled for October 21 at the JN Tata Auditorium, IISc, offering an enlightening experience open to all free of charge, encouraging audience members to engage with and reflect on the deeper connections we share with our environment. To explore more about their groundbreaking work and upcoming endeavors, visit their website at www.katradi.org.
Published – October 20, 2024 10:00 pm IST
The Hindu MetroPlus
