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Hayavadana
Around the World in 80 Plays

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! With the COVID-19 health crisis continuing to escalate in India, we wanted to share some ways you can donate to support relief and aid efforts: Give IndiaIAHV ; Salaam Baalak Trust ; Delhi Youth Welfare Association ; Goonj ; Ketto Relief FundUNICEF


Don't miss Hayavadana

Hayavadana. by Girish Karnad. In Association with Why Not Theatre.

BUY audio drama NOW

Love is imperfect, identity can be deceiving, and perfection is dangerous. Padmini is in love with two friends, Devadatta, a poet, and Kapila, a blacksmith, but the familiar love triangle is turned upside down when the men’s bodies are mysteriously switched. One of India’s most popular plays of the 20th Century, Hayavadana reinvents an iconic myth into a powerful search for wholeness. Read the Playbill.

> Explore the 9 other plays from India to round our your Around the World in 80 Plays experience

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Choose, and audiences enjoy unlimited access to the audio drama from the premiere date until April 20, 2022. You will receive an email with a link to log into your account and listen to an embedded audio file through your computer or device.

Purchase a Passport Subscription and enjoy all eight productions! Around the World Passport


CBC IDEAS - INDIA in-depth Podcast

IDEAS is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. Using Hayavadana as a launching-off point, host Nahlah Ayed sits down with artists to discuss the cultural context to understand this Indian drama, and what it might have to say to our contemporary Canadian context. FREE

LISTEN & LEARN MORE


EXTEND YOUR STAY

THE SIT DOWN - interview with miriam fernandes

Director of Hayavadana, Miriam Fernandes, sits down with Emma Stenning to discuss how this fantastical play is a meeting of Ancient and Contemporary and the East and West as it weaves together ancient Indian theatre traditions, all while remaining so relevant to audiences right now.

Recorded early 2021 with Soulpepper's previous Executive Director.


Cameron's Picks

CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, Cameron Bailey, recommends his top Indian film for you to check out.

Gully Boy by Zoya Akhtar.

LEARN MORE

Recorded early 2021


Restaurant Recommendations from Toronto LiFE

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INDIAN CUISINE OFFER FROM TORONTO LIFE

Dive into the world of Indian myths and cuisine with Door2Door Fresh’s curated Hayavadana collection. Created in partnership with Toronto Life Insider to celebrate the premiere of our audio drama Hayavadana – this curated collection includes everything you need to get started with Indian cooking.

Enjoy 25% off Indian cuisine delivered right to your door through the TL Insider Chef's Pantry. Simply apply promo code TLINSIDER at checkout. 

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Spotlight from TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS - Anosh Irani

Keeping in touch, both figuratively and physically, is a challenge during times of isolation; while physical touch – and what we touch – is now a source of fear and anxiety for many. The Dutch phrase “skin hunger” has come to prominence in recent months, encapsulating these feelings.

For the 2020 Festival, TIFA presented Skin Hunger: a new writing commission featuring original works by internationally renowned writers, in reflection on what we’ve all felt and suffered during the COVID-19 crisis. Featured here is Indo-Canadian writer Anosh Irani, reading his Skin Hunger piece, titled Ezekiel’s Scorpion.

Book Recommendations from Toronto International Festival of Authors


JLF Toronto - 2020 festival highlights

The Jaipur Literary Festival in Toronto has been an important showcase for South Asia’s unique literary heritage and Canada’s diverse literary legacy, while also celebrating the richness of its landscape, people and cultures. Learn more about the Festival here.

The 2020 JLF Toronto Festival was held online, and features an incredible line-up of authors and talks.

Watch Now


SPOTLIGHT FROM SMALL WORLD MUSIC -Toronto Tabla Ensemble

The Toronto Tabla Ensemble beautifully integrate the mastery of the tabla with so many different rhythms, sounds and flavours from around the world. It's been a pleasure to work with them and see them expand their organisation to serve our community and youth.

Toronto Tabla Ensemble (TTE) is a unique and multifaceted arts organization dedicated to promoting the North Indian classical art of tabla. The organization is led by founder and artistic director Ritesh Das, who oversees the organization’s artistic vision, educational curriculum, and production activity. Since 1991, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble has mesmerized audiences using the rhythms and grooves of North India to collaborate with music and dance from around the world. The organization also established the Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble (TTYE) with the aim of becoming one of the elite pre-professional training and performance groups for youth percussionists aged 8-16.

Explore on SOUNDCLOUD


ART ATTENTION FROM THE AGO

The Art Gallery of Ontario shares two pieces of Indian art from their collection, The Taj Mahal and Gardens, Agra, from the Entrance Gate (1865) & The Taj Mahal, Agra, from the Fountain (1865), from Indian Views, Samuel Bourne

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Explore Arts and Culture

National Museum - New Delhi
New Delhi
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Heritage Transport Museum
Gurgaon
Read More Visit
Archive of Indian Music
Bangalore
Read More Visit
The Royal Opera House, Mumbai
Mumbai
Read More Visit
Taj Mahal
Agra
Read More Visit
Delhi Photo Festival
New Delhi
Read More Visit

The Theatrical Canon - india

9 OTHER PLAYS CURATED BY SOULPEPPER ARTISTS AND LOCAL SCHOLARS TO READ AND ENJOY! INQUIRE ABOUT THESE TITLES AT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OR LIBRARY.

Ghasiram, the Officer
By Vijay Tendulkar
Read More More
Shakuntala
By Kalidasa
Read More More
Silence! The Court is in Session
By Vijay Tendulkar
Read More More
Harvest
By Manjula Padmanabhan
Read More More
Charandas Chor
By Habib Tanvir
Read More More
Jasma Odhan
By Shanta Gandhi
Read More More
Mahabharata
By Vyasa (New Adaptation by WhyNot Theatre)
Read More More
The Post Office
By Rabindranath Tagore
Read More More
The Little Clay Cart (Mrcchakatika)
By Śūdraka
Read More More

 

Soulpepper’s Around The World In 80 Plays series has become essential for theatre lovers. Imagine a mini international theatre festival for the ears, intellect and soul.

- NOW Magazine

During this “great intermission” from live theatre, I find myself constantly coming back to mythology. I have always loved the big, universal questions that myths ask of us and the magic they invite into our lives, so the chance to work on Girish Karnad’s Hayavadana has been such a joy. Inspired by an 11th century myth, Hayavadana takes all the ingredients of a great story; love, friendship, jealousy, the gods, comedy, tragedy, and weaves them into an irreverent and poetic reflection on the theme of identity. What a gift to be able to share this story with an audience right now.

- Miriam Fernandes, Director

All around the world and throughout history, humans have acted out the stories that are significant to them, the stories that are central to their sense of who they are, the stories that have defined their communities, and shaped their societies. When we talk about classical theatre we want to explore what that means from the many perspectives of this city. This is a celebration of our global canon.

- Weyni Mengesha, Soulpepper Artistic Director


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