Mallika Sarabhai: Dance to change the world

The Story of the One-Eyed Monkey and Justice

Introduction to the Tale

• A one-eyed monkey observes a woman, a Sekhri, meditating in the forest. The woman is recognized as the wife of a famous Brahmin.

• Suddenly, Indra, the god, appears and assaults her while she remains indifferent to his presence. Afterward, he vanishes.

Seeking Justice

• The Brahmin husband realizes what has happened and seeks justice from higher gods. Vishnu arrives to hear his plea.

• The only witness is the one-eyed monkey who recounts events truthfully, leading Vishnu to judge that Indra must perform a sacrifice to atone for his sins against a Brahmin.

Consequences of Divine Judgment

• The outcome results in significant consequences: a horse is sacrificed, Indra's sins are absolved, but the woman suffers irreparably while the monkey feels confused about human notions of justice.

• Statistics reveal alarming rates of rape in India and low conviction rates for such crimes, highlighting systemic injustice faced by women.

Patterns of Injustice

• Observations on global patterns show marginalized groups often bear the brunt of legal injustices—aboriginal Australians, Indian Muslims or Adivasis, and African Americans in the U.S.—while those in power dictate narratives as "The Truth."

• The speaker questions whether society has become blind to these injustices despite being aware of them. Good morning! (Applause)

Power of Art in Addressing Injustice

• The speaker shares experiences telling this story over 550 times across various audiences; art resonates where lectures fail due to its ability to bypass prejudices and barriers.

• Historical figures like Hitler utilized art effectively for propaganda; similarly, modern media moguls understand its influence on public perception and behavior.

Personal Connection with Art

• Reflecting on childhood experiences with her mother’s choreography addressing dowry-related suicides among brides in Gujarat; this led to governmental inquiries into social issues through artistic expression.

Broader Health Issues Addressed Through Simple Solutions

• Millions die from waterborne diseases due to lack of clean drinking water; governments struggle with infrastructure solutions while simple methods remain overlooked due to profit motives not aligning with public health needs.

Innovative Water Purification Method

Chorus and Introduction to Clean Water

Importance of Clean Water

• The chorus emphasizes the process of folding a cotton sari to purify drinking water, highlighting traditional methods for ensuring safety.

• The speaker expresses concern over escalating violence in daily life, questioning societal responses to various forms of violence, including domestic and road rage.

Addressing Violence in Society

Understanding Violence

• The speaker challenges the audience to recognize that violence is a choice and can be redirected into non-harmful expressions.

• A metaphorical "gene" representing inherent violent tendencies is introduced, suggesting that aggression is part of human nature but can be managed.

Cultural Reflections on Violence

Historical Context

• The speaker references historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi, contrasting their legacies with contemporary gang violence and arms trade issues.

• A critique of modern civilization highlights the persistence of war and suffering despite advancements.

The Role of Art in Social Change

Art as a Catalyst

• Mainstream art forms like cinema have successfully addressed social issues; examples include the film "Rang De Basanti," which inspired youth activism.

• Popular media has shown potential for raising awareness about health issues, as seen with increased mammography rates following a soap opera storyline.

Integrating Arts into Future Planning

Need for Collaboration

• The speaker urges planners to view arts not as an afterthought but as essential for future development alongside science and economics.

• A call for reevaluation of strategies used over years indicates failure in creating a just world; more effective approaches are necessary.

A Whimsical Tale: The Whistling Princess

Storytelling as Empowerment

• A narrative begins about a princess who defies societal norms by whistling beautifully despite parental disapproval.

• The king's challenge invites princes to defeat her at whistling, setting up themes of competition and acceptance.