[act-ma] 10/18 Music, Dance & Social Change w/ Indian dancer Mallika Sarabhai (Mon. 2pm)

[Martin Voelker]

Renowned Indian social activist and danseuse Mallika Sarabhai will present a performance followed by a conversation on the role of the arts in bringing about social change. 

Monday, October 18, 2010
2.00-3.15pm
Boston University College of Fine Arts (Room 500, 855 Commonwealth Ave.) 

Co-hosted by the Pardee Center in collaboration with the BU Center for the Study of Asia, the CAS Core Curriculum, the BU School of Music, the BU School of Theatre, and the BU School of Public Health. Her visit to BU is part of a larger tour of the USA sponsored by the Asian Cultural Council and DS Foundation.

The event will begin with a performance by Mallika Sarabhai (view one of her recent performances at a TED meeting, here), which will be followed by a panel conversation with her on the role of the arts in bringing about global social change. The conversation will also include Prof. Benjamín E. Juárez, Dean of the Boston University College of Fine Arts, Prof. André de Quadros of the Boston University School of Music, and Prof. Adil Najam, Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center and Professor of Global Public Policy.

Mallika Sarabhai is one of India’s leading choreographers and dancers, creating and performing both classical and contemporary works. She has a PhD in organisational behaviour and has been the co-director of the prestigious arts institution, Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, for nearly 30 years. She first came to international notice when she played the role of Draupadi in Peter Brook’s The Mahabharata for 5 years, first in French and then English, performing in France, North America, Australia, Japan and Scotland. Always an activist for societal education and women’s empowerment, Mallika began using her work for change. In 1989 she created the first of her hard-hitting solo theatrical works, Shakti: The Power of Women. Since then Mallika has created numerous stage productions which have raised awareness, highlighted crucial issues and advocated change, several of which productions have toured internationally as well as throughout India.