In a world where many vital social issues remain overshadowed by mainstream educational systems, Katradi, an innovative initiative by Wind Dancers Trust in Chennai, India, has taken the lead in addressing these oversights through the power of art. Since its inception in 2014, Katradi has been unwavering in its commitment to educating communities on crucial topics often left out of standard curricula, according to Sangeeta Isvaran, the visionary founder of Katradi.
“Our ethos revolves around ‘kalai mulamma kali,’ which means art through education,” explains Sangeeta. “We are dedicated to educational efforts on subjects not typically taught in schools, such as child sexual abuse, reproductive health, gender, and caste issues, among others. Our work extends to a diverse range of communities, including women and children.”
Among their various projects, environmental conservation stands as a significant focus area. Sangeeta elaborates on their perspective: “Our interest in conservation is rooted in a community-centric approach. We aim to bring awareness to environmental issues and develop solutions originating from within the community.”
Recently, Katradi’s commitment to environmental education materialized in their production titled “Shhh… Listen!” The play was commissioned by the Student Conference for Conservation Science (SCCS) based in Bengaluru to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Co-created by Sangeeta and Thilagavathi Palani, the founder of Sri Krishna Kattaikkuttu Kuzhu, the play throws a spotlight on the necessity of protecting natural ecosystems.
The production centers around the theme of wetlands, articulated through a narrative featuring frogs living in a marshland as protagonists, while the antagonist is symbolized by a JCB, representing the relentless march of development—or what some might call progress. In a rather philosophical twist, Yama, the god of truth and balance, is also woven into the storyline, reminding audiences that the destruction of nature is a man-made calamity, not a divine one.
Despite the play tackling weighty themes, it incorporates a significant element of humor. “It addresses serious issues, but humor is an essential part of the play,” notes Sangeeta.
The originality of “Shhh… Listen!” extends to its music. The play features songs crafted specifically for this purpose, set against the backdrop of traditional art forms like kattaikkuttu (a rural theater form), oyilattam (a folk dance), medai nadagam (traditional stage plays), and Bharatanatyam.
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Though crafted for the SCCS, Sangeeta envisions “Shhh… Listen!” as a tool for broader educational outreach. “We hope to bring this performance to schools, helping children realize that ecosystems, like a tree outside their home, are not distant concepts but integral parts of our shared environment,” she says.
Beyond its Chennai base, Katradi extends its influence globally, operating in regions such as Manipur, France, Mexico, and even among Ukrainian refugees. Their work uses the arts not only for education but also for empowerment and conflict resolution.
In unpacking traditional forms, Sangeeta sheds light on kattaikkuttu’s distinctiveness from therekkuttu or street dance. Despite being an ancient form requiring extensive training, it has historically been overlooked and lacks the respect accorded to other classical forms.
Within Katradi’s efforts lies a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Their troupe is a testament to varied representation encompassing different genders, castes, communities, economic statuses, and abilities. Illustrating this commitment, their upcoming performance in Bengaluru is set to feature a quadriplegic performer making their debut, narrating the show in English.
“Art and drama have an incredible capacity to engrain messages in people’s hearts and minds,” asserts Sangeeta. “This emotional connection is crucial for meaningful change.”
“Shhh… Listen!” will be performed at the JN Tata Auditorium, IISc, on October 21 from 6 to 7 pm. The event is open to the public free of charge. To learn more about Katradi and their groundbreaking work, visit www.katradi.org.
