Kashida Phool by Chaina & Rakesh
A theatrical folk performance exploring the past, present and future of cross dancers from the Meena community of Rajasthan
“Mujhe bachpan se hi dance karne ka bahut shauk tha…”
“Jab tak mere paer chalenge main tab tak dance karungi…”
“Papa se chup chup kar jaata tha….”
Diluting the wall between the artists and their art, this evening presents Meena Community dancers Chaina and Rakesh in their pre-performance space. Theatrical intervention tools make use of their voices as the narrative to which they let their guard down, allowing the viewer to walk with them as they unveil their stories and veil their bodies.
Kashida Phool is a project close to our hearts. Working with folk forms in contemporary settings is something we have always been curious about. How do we make the folk relevant in today's times? How can their story trancend the form? How can we direct folk artists in studio settings under spotlights and stage cues?
Performed by Chaina Meena & Rakesh Meena, Voices of Folk tells the story of Meena community dancers and their story of becoming cross dancers. The performance explores the ideas of identity, gender fluidity, roles, society, community and family as two male bodies transform into female dancers; undressing and dressing on stage. The performance is stripped off their usual music and instead their story narrated in their own voices navigate us through their lives in the villages and places they come from.
Dancer Chaina Meena & Rakesh Dancer are cross dancers/boy dancers from
Meena community in Dausa, Rajasthan. They are men who like to dress as women to perform. As children they would often dress as women to dance in weddings and other gatherings as fun and later decided to pursue this interest professionally. They perform in religious yatras, community gatherings, meenawati dangal, for local youtube music video channels & weddings.
Concept and Direction by Shreeya Kishanpuria and Kamakshi Saxena | Sound editing by Gautam Gupta & Navya Sah | Curated by Supriya | In collaboration with Jaipur Virasat Foundation | Photos by Anshul Bandhiwal
KASHIDA PHOOL
The name Kashida Phool holds deep significance, rooted in the traditional dress of Meena community women. A distinctive element of their attire is the lugdi or odhani, adorned with kashida, delicate embroidery featuring flower motifs. This embroidered fabric becomes more than just clothing in the performance; it symbolizes the journey of Chaina and Rakesh themselves.
Just as kashida requires patience and skill to create beautiful blooms on fabric, the two artists have shaped their own lives through resilience and hard work. Their determination to live life on their own terms has allowed them to flourish. The dancers themselves are the kashida phool, the embroidered flowers, having created their own beautiful patterns through courage.
