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The Draupadi Phenomenon – A oddisi dance drama on women’s rights


The Draupadi Phenomenon – an Oddisi composition – by noted dancer Sanchita Bhattacharya makes use of mythology to discuss the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2006. The composition represents modern day woman and urges the society to let women live their lives with freedom and dignity.

The dance drama uses Draupadi of Mahabharata as story teller to enlighten the audience about the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2006.



The Hindustan Times reports
"The Draupadi Phenomenon is something close to my heart. The 3,000-year-old Odissi dance and the 5,000-year-old Draupadi character from Mahabharata have culminated to tell the story to remind everyone that it's high time women got their rights to live by their own choices. Women should be allowed to live their lives on their own terms. Stop deciding for them," said Sanchita.
The character of Draupadi in Mahabharata is that of one of the most wilful woman in literary history who, ironically, was never allowed to live her own life according to her choice.