"The Yoginis’ Oracle" a reading by Stella Dupuis and "The dance of the Yogini" by Madhura at The Attic, 36, Regal Building, CP > 6:30pm on 17th October 2012

Time : 6:30 pm

Entry : Free (Seating on First-Come First-Served basis)

Place : The Attic, 36, Regal Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001 
Landmark : On Parliament Street close to 'The Shop' showroom & next to the 'Kwality' restaurant
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Metro : Nearest Metro Station - 'Rajiv Chowk' (Yellow Line and Blue Line)

Event Details : “The Yoginis’ Oracle” a reading by Stella Dupuis and “The dance of the Yogini” by Madhura.
Tantric scholars have written about yoginis as independent, outspoken women with a gracefulness of spirit. They are the sacred feminine force sometimes represented by enlightened, passionate, spiritual women with deep insight. The core of the tradition of the Yoginis was introduced by Matsyendra-Pada (Matsyendranatha, The Lord of the Fish) around the 8-9th century.
Often yoginis are worshipped collectively and together, each one is enshrined in an individual position in a circular temple open to the sky. There are many temples of the 64 yoginis spread throughout India.
The teachings of Matsyendra-Pada in his Kaulajñananirnaya were aimed at empowering all men and women to develop their own capacities to deal with the challenges of life and how the energy of the Yoginis (our own energy) is integral to the process of transformation. The path was beyond gender and caste and therefore threatened the male dominated Brahmins who in the 11th century were able to diminish the influence of Yogini knowledge. 

Stella Dupuis, the indefatigable collector of Yogini folklore (this is her 4th publication on the subject) has published 64 cards with a handbook entitled The Yoginis’ Oracle, with original drawings. It can be a powerful divinatory and guiding tool (like Tarot cards) that suggest how to deal with different situations. She talks about her journey and her passion for the Yogini cult.
Her friend Madhura presents a dance in the Kathak style depicting some of the traits – power to destroy demons, strength to accomplish the state of yoga, sensuality and many other characteristics  found in the statues of the yoginis in Central and Eastern India.
Stella Dupuis is a Swiss novelist born in Panama. She studied marketing and advertising in Switzerland and Sweden before launching a successful business career in Latin America and Europe.  Since becoming a writer ten years ago she has published four novels in Spanish and English.  In her work she depicts a yearning for a spiritual destiny that transcends blind commitment, stereotypes, or religious fanaticism. For many years Stella has also been teaching Yoga and meditation in many countries. She is the author of  Memoria de viento, Madrid 2003; (English version USA 2005, In the wake of the wind); La Puerta de Jade, Madrid 2006; Teli-Ka Mandir, Madrid 2006; (English version USA 2006), The Yoginis Temples of India, Varanasi 2008; In the Belly of the Fish, Varanasi, 2010; The Kaulajñanirnaya (commentary on the esoteric teachings), New Delhi, 2012.

Madhura Phatak was brought up in Pune and became a student of her Guru Padamshri Shovana Narayan while studying at JNU in Delhi. She has been awarded the best dancer award of the Sahitya Kala Parishad as well as the Singar Mani title of the Sur Singar Parishad in Mumbai.  She is a graded artiste of Doordarshan and is also empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Recently she was awarded the Guru-Shishya Parampara Award 2012 by CNN-IBN. 
Madhura has worked extensively in the past three years with Haveli Sangeet and Dhrupad, wherein she has explored the medium of Kathak in dialogue with this ancient form of Hindustani singing. She has also conducted workshops at Goethe Centre, Trivandrum for children to discover dance as an instrument of balance.

Related Events : Talks | Women | Classical Dance | Dance