Follies of God
Raghav Handa
In the eye of a maelstrom where violence rages at the edges of perception, Krishna shouts: “Fight for the sake of duty. What you can destroy deserves to perish. Don’t get involved”. Set on a battlefield, the sacred text of Bhagavad Gita has inspired both Gandhi’s non-violence movement and the Third Reich’s program of genocide. Follies of God is an embodied exploration of the seduction of violence – where we confront our own struggle for self-mastery amidst the seduction of violence and the lure of power over others.
Performer and Choreographer: Raghav Handa
Collaborator and Sound Artist: James Brown
Design: Justine Shih Pearson
Cultural Consultant: Shashi Handa
Dramaturg: Vicki Van Hout
Read more about the 2022 Keir Choreographic Award
Read interview with Soo-Min Shim for Performance Review
Book a KCA Half Pass [Week 2] to see just 4 of the 8 KCA works (30 June—2 July) including:
Slip — Rebecca Jensen
Exoticism — Lucky Lartey
As Below, So Above — Joshua Pether
Follies of God — Raghav Handa
Raghav Handa is trained in modern and Indigenous contemporary dance and draws on the principles of Indian Kathak to create multifaceted, engaging explorations of modern Australian identity. His works challenge cultural and contemporary norms by navigating the “preciousness” and complexities that surround traditional hierarchies. By utilising his Indian heritage to create spaces that foster robust discussion and risk taking, he encourages his audience to come to their own conclusions rather than imposing his own. His creations are novel, engaging and often playful, but he also likes to play with fire!
The Keir Choreographic Award 2022 Commissions:
The Keir Choreographic Award is a partnership between Dancehouse, The Keir Foundation and the Australia Council for the Arts, with presenting partner Carriageworks.
Raghav Handa would like to thank Vitalstatistix Adelaide and the Department of Theatre and Performance studies – The University of Sydney.