presented by Pratidhwani and ACTLab

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Devi

Dates: April 19-May 11
Run time: approximately two hours and forty minutes with one, 15-minute intermission
Location: Allen Theatre

Raised illiterate, married and abandoned at 12, then kidnapped at 17, Prafulya embodies the struggles of a girl born to poverty in 1800s India until a chance encounter changes her life forever. Devi [/they-vee/] is the story of a woman who rises to power against the rule of the British, quickly becoming the de facto ruler of the land, or The Devi (Goddess) Chaudhurani (Holder of the Land).

Beloved by her people, the Devi uses her position to run a parallel government that believes in equality, justice, and freedom, proving that a woman can be the protagonist in her own story, despite mens’ best efforts to make her invisible.

Devi is adapted for the stage from Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Devi Chaudhurani. Published in 1884, this text called for a resurgent India to fight against the rule of the British Empire with strength from within the common people. At a time when most women in India remained behind purdah and did not show their faces to men, Chatterjee’s work about a woman creating an ideal state lead by and for the people was revolutionary.

Pratidhwani brings history to the stage in a new, drama-dance by Moumita Bhattacharya. This production is presented in English and will feature eight Indian dance forms and 45 performers.

Cast

Production and Creative

Director, Moumita Bhattacharya
Producer, Amrita Bhandari
Assistant Producer, Aneetha Jayaraman
Stage Manager, Akshay Johar
Set Designers, Denise Campbell and Swati Srivastav
Light Designer, Zanna King
Sound Designer, Shailesh Ratadia
Costume Designer, Moumita Bhattacharya
Marketing Lead, Santanu Basu
Production Managers, Chavi Khare and Tanvee Kale

Pratidhwani Logo

Pratidhwani is a non-profit cultural organization based in the Seattle area, with a mission to promote and cultivate performing arts of the Indian subcontinent, by empowering performing artists. We do this by creating, discovering, and encouraging performing opportunities for artists of South Asian descent, and by providing the infrastructure they need to take advantage of performing opportunities. Pratidhwani is organized in four wings – Classical Music, Light Music, Dance, and Drama. http://www.pratidhwani.org/

Post-Show Talkbacks: 

Saturday, April 20
Friday, April 26
Saturday, April 27
Saturday, May 4
Monday, May 6
Friday, May 10
Saturday, May 11

This production contains some violence, intimate scenes and adult language.

ACT believes that our patrons can determine what is offensive for themselves, and what is appropriate for their children. We don’t create age restrictions but do our best to offer content advisories for each show. For detailed information about show content and possible triggers, please contact communications@acttheatre.org.

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