Page 36 - Dimple B Shah - Presentation-2019_Neat

TEMPLE OF LOVE – NEGOTIATING SACREDNESS
DLAB 2019, Charukola Faculty Fine Arts Dhaka University , Dhaka

The performance was based on Curatorial Concept of Text and Traditions
performed at Charukola Faculty Fine Arts Dhaka -
th
I attempted to explore the Time lapse going to back to past to 12 century
period in history of Karnataka the time of Bhakti moments and saints who
explored the existence of god/Spiritualism in their own way with new
philosophical approach. This period also mark important since we come
across one of prominent feminist Saint and poet Akka mahadevi who have
incredible contribution in poetry and bhakti moments.. She was bold to

even shed her cloths and worldly belonging and covered her bare body
with her long hair and walked the path of spiritualism in search of her Lord
Malikarjuna ( lord Shiva) and during this path she wrote exclusive 400
poems which even today stands for strong feminist voice of all times. Her
pomes had immense existential and philosophical approach which touched
me and gave answers to one questions about life and existence and created
a strong sense of individuality and importance of self. Through my body
performance act I tried to knit this time period and her poems in present

time through this spiritual poems I explored the identity of self and her
Spiritual devotion and have an insight of that period to understand how it
th
would be in 12 century and how courageous it would have been to shed
all cloths the worldly belonging and become one with her lord it would be
an courageous act even to this day. I performed some of shamanistic
Rituals from my region to engage and mediate my audience to enter in this
Spiritual journey and process through Akka Mahadevi’s Existential poems.
It was experiential performance for both for me and my audience to dwell
th
back in time.-Dimple B Shah 8 March 2019