DESI DIARY
SAWITRI CELEBRATES 21 YEARS OF INDIAN THEATRE IN CANADA
Co-founders and Artistic Co-Directors Jasmine Sawant and Shruti Shah of the Sawitri Theatre Group.
Sawitri Theatre Group celebrated 21 years of presenting thought-provoking and provocative theatre recently.
Co-founders and Artistic Co-Directors Jasmine Sawant and Shruti Shah welcomed everyone in its newly renovated workspace, AN1 Studios. The renovations were made possible with $180,000 in funding through two grants from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
Members of the theatre group and friends and families gathered over refreshments and traded stories of their connection with Sawitri.
An AV presentation highlighted clips form past productions and elicited laughs as well as comments like, “Oh, my, I forgot I looked like that!”
Jasmine Sawant shared a fun story about being mistaken for Ms Sawitri – even so many years after inception of the group.
“It is an acronym, as you all know, and stands for South Asian Women's Intercultural Research Initiative,” she said. “But people assume I must be Sawitri!”
She also spoke about the Sawitri in Hindu mythology who had fought for her husband’s life and wrested him from Yama, the god of death, as being the inspiration behind the name.
“Her strength, her resolve to succeed against all odds, that guides us as a women-centric theatre group.”
Sawant, Shah, and members of the team shared the highs and lows, the triumphs and the challenges over the years.
“The Sawitri Theatre Group has long been a beacon of arts and culture in Ontario, sparking creativity and building connections through its remarkable productions,” said Deepak Anand, MPP for Mississauga-Malton. “Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Sawitri is set to transform its AN1 studio into a state-of-the-art space that will nurture artistic expression, create meaningful social and economic opportunities, and further enrich the vibrant arts community in Mississauga-Malton and across Ontario.”
Personal tributes from cast and crew from Sawitri’s theatre productions highlighted the role it has played in building a community and nurturing the next generation of performers.
One young man said he’d called Sawitri late one night when he was feeling particularly vulnerable and alone as a new immigrant.
“Jasmine ma’am, whom I thought must be Sawitri at that point, let me talk for close to two hours. She didn’t know me, but she understood my need and I am ever so grateful.”
Another recalled his debut with Sawitri – as a dead body.
“There I lay on the stage, covered in a white sheet, my nose stuffed with cotton swabs – authenticity! – and Jasmine was to look for personal belongings before they took the body away. My wallet was on the wrong side, she would have had to turn her back to the audience while getting it, and so, under the sheet, I switched my wallet to the other side, and no one was the wiser.”
How the body and his “wife” managed to control their giggles is another story!
Many spoke about how the Sawants feed everyone, before and after performances.
Fittingly, the celebration of this milestone felt like an intimate family gathering, with everyone the group has nurtured over the years sharing their memories. Anecdotes that made us laugh out loud and brought tears to the eyes.
Guests left with lovely swag bags with Sawitri merchandise. If you see me with a bright red flask, you’ll know where I’ve been!
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Sawitri Theatre Group deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come.”