Mallika's story originally appeared in the Geneseo Scene as part of a larger story on the college's student ambassadors.
On stage, Mallika Shah ’17 stands in white, expressing anger and surprise with just her eyes, her hands and the way she stands.
She never says a word.
Off stage, she would spend six hours a day learning the ancient theater art “Kutiyattam,” to rely on gestures and emotion in the eyes, not speech.
Recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity, the practice is thousands of years old and the only surviving form of Sanskrit theater.
Shah spent three weeks last summer in an intensive workshop learning basics of Kutiyattam in its birthplace of Kerala, India, as a Frank Vafier ’74 Ambassador in Leadership.
Leadership is an important skill and trait to have, says Vafier, which needs to be developed. He created the ambassadorship to provide an opportunity to students to develop leadership.
“It was a very spiritual experience because all of the performances are based on Hindu scripture and mythology,” says Shah, of the experience. She wants to enter theater after graduation. “It was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.”
Shah joined all small group of students from all over the world for the workshop; she hopes to create ways to adapt the ancient art for younger audiences, as many people can’t read the gestures and signs anymore.
“I want to bring these performances to a more modern audience and let them see the richness of it,” she says, “so we don’t lose it.”