INDIA, December 29, 2011 (The Hindu): The vibrant energy of the “Mad and Divine” fills the air. Words, songs, and dances of India’s beloved female saint-poets transformed Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan on December 23, 24, and 25, at an event inspired by Dr. Anita Ratnam. “My purpose in ‘Mad and Divine’ was to bring these women from the past and juxtapose these iconic figures as inspirations to engage with their passion,” said Dr. Ratnam.
The agenda included morning sessions by cultural thinkers and scholars from across India and abroad interspersed with poetry and dance, and resonant evenings with performances exploring the theme of madness and divinity.
The keynote speaker, Shanta Serbjeet Singh, senior arts columnist and critic, described mystic saint-poets as “avadhuras,” i.e. “eccentric mystics,” and their “avadhurism” as “crazy wisdom.” Singh reminded the audience that the freedom we enjoy today was not available to saint-poets of the past who despite all odds produced remarkable creative work.