Five Girls - Women of Strength

Panchkanya : Women of Strength © 2020 by Mihika Sengupta is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Panchkanya literally means five maidens - Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Tara, and Mandodari and each Kanya has its own natural element attached to them. Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama; Draupadi, wife of five Pandavas; Sita, wife of Lord Rama; Tara, wife of King Bali and Mandodari, wife of Ravana - all of them had gone through humiliation and obstacles throughout their lives but were strong enough to stand for their dignity and self-respect and exercised their agency. Aligning with the characteristics of the Panchkanya's and their natural element, Mihika has assigned and connected five real-life women to them, who share with us their share of strength and hardships and how they are sailing through it. The whole piece has been weaved together with a few small dance performances in between introducing the elements and also with a narration binding the whole story. This film is an amateur attempt to celebrate womanhood, strength, vigor, enthusiasm, and the zeal to live and love life. Interestingly, this film has been made by an all-women crew.