Son of the Wind
A traditional dance drama based on India’s ancient epic, the Ramayana
Created and choreographed by 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.
Booking Information: Carrie Jennings, Company 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
Son of the Wind Touring History
Ford Theaters – Performance, Los Angeles, CA
Kimmel Cultural Campus – Performance at Agama Festival, Philadelphia, PA
Royal Open House, Mumbai – Performance at Bhramara Festival of Dance, Mumbai, India
ODC Theater – Performance, San Francisco, CA
Green Music Center – Performance, Sonoma, CA
Show Information
Run Time: 120 minutes
Cast: 18 dancers, 6 musicians
Original Score: Jayanta Banerjee
Lighting Design: Dave Robertson
Sound Design: Neil Skacel
Technical Rider: Click here to download
Original Cast
Dancers: Seibi Lee, Rachna Nivas, Rukhmani Mehta, Seema Mehta, Joanna Meinl, Cimeron Ahluwalia, Sarah Morelli, Shefali Jain, Poonam Narkar, Ahana Mukherjee, Sonali Toppur, Ria DasGupta & apprentice dancers
Sitar & Composition: Jayanta Banerjee
Vocals: Debashish Sarkar
Sarod: Ben Kunin
Tabla: Kalinath Mishra
Pakhawaj: Satyaprakash Mishra
Narration: Dr. Kasturi Rumu DasGupta
Leela Dance Collective
23650 Community Street
Los Angeles, CA 91304
P: 323.457.4522
E: info@leela.dance
