BURLINGTON, MA– Boston poetess and artist Poppy Charnalia and Kathak dancer Shelley Chhabra will present a dance-poetry drama at the 17th Annual Woman of the Year Awards Gala on Friday, May 17, at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA. The gala is organized by INDIA New England News and produced by The Mishra Group.
Ms. Charnalia said the program will bring a confluence of Hindi and English poetry and dance drama amalgamated to express the reflections of a woman as observed by her and by the world.
Ms. Charnalia, a talented poet and a visual artist from Lexington, MA will enliven this feminine reflection through the tapestry of her words. Her art and poetry often contiguous, express her passionate thoughts on human relationships, equality, love and her sacred indulgence in nature.
The poem ‘Mein’ or ‘Me’ rattles the more subtle layers of female oppression the social system fosters. ‘Mein’ implies ‘Me’ and ‘You’ both; igniting a self-reflection from both genders.
Ms. Charnalia’s poignant poetry will take on an elegant, dynamic human form. Kathak dancer Ms. Chhabra will eloquently express in dance, the oppression, disdain, anguish, resilience and hope experienced by women regardless of their ethnicity, culture or religion.
Ms. Chhabra is a student of Gretchen Hayden, who is founder of the Chhandam Institute of Kathak Dance. Ms. Chhabra has been teaching, performing and training in Kathak since 1998 .
The performance will be further amplified by audio music from Ustad Amzad Ali Khan and Shri Jayanta Banerjee. Maya Koorapaty will also amplify the poetry/dance with Manjeere (cymbals) and potent ‘Abhinaya’. She notably joined the first Chhandika Youth Ensemble. Kathak and the Chhandika community is a second home to her.
Ms. Chhabra and Ms. Charnalia are dedicating this poem and performance to all the strong women and their daughters Ella Devi Chhabra and Preanshi Charnalia.
“The performance aims to provoke thoughts and stir souls on the significant issue of human and gender equality,” said Ms. Charnalia.
