CURRENT: O GHOSTLY ANCESTOR

O Ghostly Ancestor is a participatory performance / community ritual to explore ancestral imprints in our lives, honor the gifts of the Ancestors and the Land, and release what we no longer need. Currently in development by Parijata Performance Projects, OGA has already won support from MAP Fund, New York State Council on the Arts (Choreography Commission), Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (Creative Engagement / UMEZ), and Parks Foundation Green Fund Grant.

O Ghostly Ancestor integrates contemporary dance and experimental theater with martial arts and Gujarati circle dance, and it invites the participation of audiences, with the aim of connecting us with deeper aspects of ourselves, each other / the Community, our Ancestors, and the Land we occupy.

In O Ghostly Ancestor, we aim to foster a space of belonging for Witnesses, so on arrival, they are welcomed by peers and community members in the Community Cast. The performance is initiated with a powerful Warrior-Witch dance and invocations by invited Community Leaders / Elders. Each Performer-Activator dances solo with a large tree branch to evoke their distinct lineages, then explores ancestral imprints in their own experience. The performance concludes with a vibrant circle dance, and our Community Cast emerges to join the circle!

Audiences are offered multiple avenues to participate before and during the show: write an "I honor" or "I release" statement, make a drawing, place a branch or plant, join our circle dance. Performers / Community Cast guide and support audience members in all of these participation activities.