Toronto-based Gitanjali Kola-nad has a lived a life immersed in Indian art, history and culture. She practised and taught bharata natyam for over 40 years, performing solo or choreographing shows in major cities across the world. Her work is often multi-disciplinary, arising out of collaborations with international artists from other disciplines. But dance is only one aspect of her creativity. She also practises and teaches the ancient martial art of kalaripayat, and is an award-winning writer of two non-fiction titles.
We caught up with her about her riveting debut novel Girl Made of Gold (Juggernaut), set in an older time in India when girls of lower castes were “married to the gods” as devadasis and left at the mercy of predatory temple priests.
In your new book, there is an element of sexual slavery for the devadasis. However, many today including dancer Aranyani Bhargav present India’s devadasis as enviable figures – women with sexual independence and individual freedom. What is your take on this image of devadasis being glorified today?
This story is from the August 2020 edition of eShe.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of eShe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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