Son of the Wind
A dance ballad based on India’s ancient epic, the Ramayana
Artistic Direction: Seibi Lee, Rachna Nivas, and Rukhmani Mehta
“The Artistic Directors of Leela Dance Collective have chosen an ambitious mission,
to honor ancient traditions and bring them forward, made relevant to the present.
There is no question that they are successful.”
— Mary Pat Cooney, LA Dance Chronicle
About Son of the Wind
This tour-de-force kathak dance drama brings to life the hidden hero at the heart of the great Indian epic, Ramayana. Hanuman, son of the celestial female spirit, Anjana and Vayu, the mighty wind god, proves to be an integral force behind the rescuing of the kidnapped princess Sita, through his mischievous ingenuity and indomitable vigor. It is Hanuman’s actions that leads to the victory of Ram, King of Ayodhya, over the arrogant and powerful King of Lanka, Ravan.
Told through dramatic storytelling, powerful movement, and exquisite costume design and lighting, this production exposes the contemporary relevance of a timeless story while capturing the hearts of all.
Musical CastSitar & Composer: Jayanta Banerjee |
FundersNational Endowment for the Arts
|
Show Information
Run Time: 120 minutes
Cast: 18 dancers, 5 musicians
Original Score: Jayanta Banerjee
Lighting Design: Dave Robertson
Sound Design: Neil Skacel
Technical Rider: Click here to download
Booking Information:
Carrie Jennings
Bookings Manager
bookings@leela.dance
775.560.2598
What Audiences Are Saying
“With its technical brilliance, emotional power, and reverent yet creative reinterpretation of sacred epic, ‘Son of the Wind,’…was world-class transnational dance theater that celebrated Indian performance traditions even as it innovated within them and challenged cultural stereotypes.”
— Dr. Philip Lutgendorf, author of Hanuman’s Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey
“Featuring a cast of all female kathak dancers, “Son of the Wind” is a powerful force, as it turns history on its head by presenting a full cast of women playing both male and female roles, adding another dimension to women’s capabilities as defenders and warriors, bringing a contemporary spin to India’s ancient epic the Ramayana.”
— Valerie-Jean Miller, Broadway World Los Angeles

Selected Press
7 Things to do in LA LA Times
Son of the Wind Feature Broadway World
Bhramara Festival of Dance – A unique festival of classical dance to enthral Mumbai Daily News LA
Los Angeles Premiere of Son of the Wind DNA India
All You Wanted To Know About Classical Dance The Hindu
Epic Tale from the Ancient Indian Ramayan Takes Flight in San Francisco KQED
Innovating Within a Tradition, Leela Dance Collective’s Son of the Wind ODC Dance Stories
Two Dances and a Conference By Philip Lutgendorf South Asian Popular Culture
Leela Dance Collective premieres new work at the Green Music Center Press Democrat
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Leela Dance Collective
23650 Community Street
Los Angeles, CA 91304
P: 323.457.4522
E: info@leela.dance