NARI SHAKTI by NANDA: A Tribute to Indian Womanhood in the Heart of Dubai

In Dubai, a city known for its dynamic culture and grand celebrations, the Indian community staged a remarkable show titled NARI SHAKTI, celebrating the essence of womanhood through classical dance.

This event, featuring over 100 artists in 15 performances, showcased the thematic Bharatanatyam dance production AGNI KANYE, which narrates the life of Draupadi, a pivotal character from the Indian epic Mahabharata.

This production, led by Iswarya Bharadwaj, the founder of NANDA Performing Arts Centre and Gulf Indian Performing Arts & Music Society (GIPAMS), left an indelible mark on the audience.

The showcase was not just a dance performance but a testament to female empowerment, as the entire event was conceptualized, organized, and executed by women.

They created most of the props and costumes themselves, demonstrating creativity and resourcefulness. The Indian People's Forum (IPF), alongside Trescon, SkyBlue Media, and several other organizations, supported this grand event.

This initiative highlights the significant role women play in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, showcasing their strength and talent in the artistic domain.

AGNI KANYE served as the night’s centerpiece, captivating the audience with its vibrant costumes, compelling narrative, and mesmerizing choreography. It told the story of Draupadi, showcasing the triumph of good over evil through the medium of Bharatanatyam dance.

The performance featured a diverse range of dancers, from the young aged five to the experienced aged fifty, illustrating the art form's inclusivity and its power to bridge generational gaps.

The event also celebrated other influential women, bestowing the title of NARI SHAKTI upon Karthika Vaidyanathan, Puja Unni, and Renuka Parameshwar.

These women were recognized for their contributions to society and their embodiment of feminine power, mirroring the spirit and resilience of Draupadi. This recognition underscores the event's commitment to celebrating women's achievements in various fields, particularly the arts.

NARI SHAKTI underscored the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) position as a global center for arts, culture, and diversity. The event showcased the UAE's ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and tolerant society, welcoming artistic expressions from all corners of the globe.

This aligns with the nation's vision of nurturing a vibrant cultural scene where creativity transcends age, nationality, and background.

Iswarya Bharadwaj's story is a testament to the UAE's nurturing environment. Having grown up in a modest Indian family in the UAE, Iswarya's journey to global recognition, including over 50 awards and performances on more than 500 international stages, showcases the UAE's supportive framework.

Her achievements highlight how the UAE's visionary leadership has created opportunities for artists to thrive and inspire others.

Iswarya Bharadwaj aims to leverage the arts for broader societal benefits. She envisions launching corporate wellness programs powered by the arts, focusing on the arts as a medium for personal and organizational development (PODs), and counseling aspiring artists on building careers in the arts.

Iswarya's ambitious goals include performing for the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, paying homage to their leadership in promoting inclusivity, tolerance, and women's empowerment through the arts.

The NARI SHAKTI event not only celebrated Indian culture and womanhood but also highlighted the UAE's role as a beacon for global arts and diversity.

It showcased the power of the arts in bringing people together, transcending cultural and generational divides, and empowering women to showcase their talents and make significant societal contributions.