ALL-FESTIVAL PASS for $260, includes entry to all events, available until APRIL 4, 2008. Reservations can be made by calling (917) 582-4730 or by clicking here.

Pardah – a groundbreaking visual arts presentation to be exhibited as part of EnGendered, a multi-disciplinary arts festival on South Asian gender, religion and sexuality ENGENDERED HITS NYC’S LINCOLN CENTER APRIL 18-20, 2008 Artists whose work to be showcased include Ravinder Reddy, Julius Macwan, Theodore Mesquita, Molly Gochman, Ruby Chishti, and Stephan Weitzel NEW YORK, NY – March 25, 2008 – Nayikas today announced a full slate of visual artists whose work will be presented as part of EnGendered, a provocative examination of South Asian gender, sexuality, and religion to hit New York City April 18-20, 2008. EnGendered is an unprecedented festival that brings together performance, dance, theatre, film, and the visual arts to explore the complex realities of gender and sexuality in modern South Asia. The visual arts component of the festival is titled Pardah and includes some of the most influential and prolific artists from the South Asian diaspora, as well as artists from Europe and the United States.  Pardah is curated by Chitra Prasad Patel and Myna Mukherjee. Patel, who is also Associate Director of the festival, says of the exhibition, “Pardah documents the current social climate of South Asia and addresses the layered nature of a gender and sexuality discussion on the subcontinent. The artists and works were selected on their ability to capture these nuances and together weave a social and mythical narrative. I am pleased and excited that both emerging and established artists will be part of this most important, progressive dialogue.” The artists whose work will be presented at Pardah span modern and traditional art in all mediums.  They include: Ravinder Reddy, one of India’s leading sculptors, explores a figurative dialogue between traditional and contemporary identity Julius Macwan, Indian artist whose provocative work meshes culture, religion, and gender politics Theodore Mesquita, an internationally-acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist from India, whose work celebrates and records the culture of the body Molly Gochman, an American experiential artist who is creating two series for Pardah,including one inspired by Sita’s story from the legendary epic, Ramayana.  Ruby Chishti, a Pakistani artist residing in California whose work explores gender relationships and disparities in light of personal experiences and traditional beliefs Stephan Weitzel, a German artist whose work has been exhibited in Europe and India. In 2005, he exhibited He’s So Lovely, She’s So Lovely in India, an installation that will be renewed for Pardah. Other artists include Satyakam Saha, Amina Ahmed, Satadru Banduri, Raghava KK, Kavita Nayar, Viren Tanwar, Sundeep Bali, Rachana Nagarkar, Murali Cheeroth, Ayesha Seth, Sumakshi Singh, and artist-duo Taxi. Also exhibited at Pardah will be a collection of Mithila Paintings, a traditional form of art offering modern social commentary on the condition of women in rural India, contributed by the Ethnic Arts Foundation. Pardah will be exhibited at the Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It will open the festival on April 18th at 6 pm as part of Linga Sarita, the opening night event. Pardah is free to the public at all other times during the course of the festival. Engendered has been made possible by esteemed partner Indo American Arts Council. Major sponsors for the festival include Religare Arts Initiative, Intercultural Interdisciplinary Initiatives Fund, India Abroad, and Desiclub.com. PRESS/MEDIA CONTACT: Ashok Sinha 917 805-6586 (c) ashokvsinha@aol.com ABOUT NAYIKAS: Nayikas, a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit, is New York’s first resident classical Indian Odissi dance theater company.  Nayikas draws from feminist iconography present in the footnotes of Indian mythology, history and literature while preserving the essential spiritual core of the dance form.  The company is committed to finding new venues and the best professional opportunities for the dedicated, talented and socially conscious South Asian artist.  Inspired performances, high production values and outstanding performances are the aim of Nayikas presentations.  Established in 2000, Nayikas performance and production credits include sold out shows at Symphony Space, Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center,, Baruch Performing Arts Center, Brooklyn Museum of the Arts, Indian Consulate of New York, Rubin Museum, The MET, Chashama Theatre and Yale University.