About The Event
A bygone era of eccentric garage owners, princely car collections and early motoring comes alive as Kathak exponent Dr. Navina Jafa blends classical dance with Dastangoi.
The motorcar once symbolised more than a means of travel, it promised freedom, adventure and a glimpse of a rapidly changing world, inspiring generations of eccentric garage owners, proud collectors and motoring enthusiasts.
‘Udaan: Sair-E-Motorcar’ revisits this fascinating era through an inventive blend of Kathak and Dastangoi. Across four interconnected segments, the production marries the intricate rhythms and expressive abhinaya of classical dance with the narrative richness of live storytelling. Movement and voice evoke the romance of vintage automobiles, the grandeur of princely car collections and the vibrant personalities who helped shape India’s early motoring culture.
Bringing an unexpected subject into the Kathak repertoire, the work maintains classical rigour while exploring new creative ground. Refined footwork, vivid gestures and theatrical narration transform fragments of automotive history into scenes filled with wit, elegance and imagination.
Conceived and performed by Dr. Navina Jafa, with direction by Dr. Maya Kulkarni, the production reflects Jafa’s distinctive approach, where classical tradition and scholarly research find new expression through contemporary storytelling. The result is a spirited glimpse into a bygone world, narrated through rhythm, memory and movement.
This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.
