Meera - Beyond Devotion

MEERA – Beyond Devotion

Meerabai is celebrated as a legendary poet and the most ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. But is it fair to define her solely by her poetry or sanctify her only as a saint? Meera – the Saint, Meera – the Poet, and Meera – the Woman—these are three distinct facets of her identity, each shaping her extraordinary journey.

The play Meera – Beyond Devotion challenges the conventional image of Meera and brings forth a deeper, more complex portrait. At its core is the story of a Kathak dancer preparing for a performance on Meerabai. As she immerses herself in Meera’s life, what begins as artistic research transforms into a personal awakening. She becomes captivated by Meera’s courage, her defiance of societal norms, and the bold choices she made in a time when women had little to no agency.

Through her exploration, the dancer uncovers uncomfortable questions—ones that challenge the widely accepted narratives. Meera stood against the practice of Sati, rejected rigid social customs, and fearlessly followed her spiritual path, inspiring generations of women. But was her devotion a conscious spiritual pursuit—or an escape from a world that refused to accept her?

In 16th-century Rajasthan, when women were expected to remain silent and confined, Meera sang Krishna bhajans and danced in public, inciting scorn from those who saw her as immodest and shameless. Why was it so hard for society to accept a woman who chose her own path? Was it because she did not conform to the image of the “ideal woman”?

Was Meera a feminist? And if she was, what was her idea of feminism? Was it resistance, surrender, or something that lay between the two?

As the protagonist of the play grapples with her own conflicts—about her art, her identity, and her place in the world—she feels an inexplicable pull toward Meera’s story. A mysterious connection draws her in, leading her to wonder: What is it that keeps Meera alive, even today?

Meera – Beyond Devotion is not just a retelling of history—it is a search for answers. It questions whether we are truly free today, and what freedom really means. The dilemmas that Meera faced centuries ago still resonate in our present. Did Meera find the answers she was looking for? And if we truly look within, isn’t a part of Meera still alive in each of us?