Sacred Earth Stories: Connecting Ancient Earth Mythologies with Current Climate Issues

Sacred Earth Stories connects mythologies of the earth from different cultures to current global issues of sustainability and climate change. Traditional Bharata Natyam dance of India, spoken word commentary, traditional gestures, rhythm, and live world music merge to create a stunning dancescape linking the past and present.

In many ancient cultures and their mythologies, the earth is personified as a life-giving goddess. Dramatic stories of her capture and subsequent release feature greedy kings, wise creatures. Sacred Earth Stories redefines these tales through current issues of deforestation and pollution. It takes it further and urges a respectful alliance with the earth that can further development and still protect its resources for the next generation.

Inspiring stories of Bhoomi Devi, Mother Earth from Indian mythology; Gaia of Greece, primordial Earth goddess; and Pachamama, the Andean goddess of Fertility and Abundance are woven into the narrative of Sacred Earth Stories, creating a richly layered cultural and artistic experience.

Accompanying this original choreography led by Artistic Director, Anuradha Naimpally, is an original music score played by some of the finest musicians in Central Texas including Ashwini Gore-Deshpande on vocals, Amie Maciszewski on sitar, Jason McKenzie on tabla/kanjira/doumbek, and Srivi Balaji on mridangam. This creates a beautiful soundscape for the visually stunning dance by the Austin Dance India ensemble including Anuradha Naimpally, Soumya N. Ashok, Preya Mangalat Patel, Sreenidhi Tupuri, and Sanjana Aluru. Spoken word commentary brings it together making it accessible to all audiences.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Austin Creative Alliance and City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Emma Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Community partners are Citizens Climate Lobby and Rainforest Partnership.

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