“Bindis and Bruises” Uses Theatre and Dance to Take on Sexual Violence

Priya Narayan is a dancer and the creator of “Bindis and Bruises.” (Courtesy of Broadway World)
Priya Narayan is a dancer and the creator of “Bindis and Bruises.” Courtesy of Broadway World / Broadway World
Priya Narayan is a dancer and the creator of “Bindis and Bruises.” (Courtesy of Broadway World)
Priya Narayan is a dancer and the creator of “Bindis and Bruises.” Courtesy of Broadway World / Broadway World

“Bindis and Bruises” Uses Theatre and Dance to Take on Sexual Violence

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The 2012 gang rape of Jhoydi Singh in India made global headlines. The 23-year-old Delhi student died from injuries she sustained in the attack. 

There were mass protests in India and calls to change the way rape is viewed in Indian society. The story also caught the attention of choreographer Priya Narayan, who had seen how sexual violence was dealt with in the Indian-American community and Ellyzabeth Adler, executive director and founder of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. 

Adler is a rape survivor. The two have collaborated on a new multimedia performance called Bindis and Bruises. 

On Weekend Passport, they joined global citizen, Nari Safavi of Pasfarda Arts and Cultural Exchange, to talk about how their dance performance piece gives voice to survivors. 

Plus, Chicago has had a Chinese food scene for nearly 150 years. But food watchers says we’ve long lacked two key delicacies—great soup dumplings and hand stretched noodles. That’s set to change this weekend as the Indonesian-based Imperial Lamian (like onion) opens in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. WBEZ’s Monica Eng checked out a sneak preview and told us what to expect