Stay Safe
Short movie, 2020
Sold as an NFT in favor of UNICEF to support COVID-19 vaccination in India (details here)
Synopsis
This video has scored hundreds of thousands of views, shares and likes across the world. It was also covered by many media and was broadcasted on India’s official TV channels.
In Indian classical dance, one is supposed to make “gestures toward” the audience (“abhinaya” in Sanskrit). But in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the best gesture one could make toward the Other is “barrier gestures”. These are simple yet vital steps we should take to stop spreading the virus and save lives. Let’s spread the word about the “barrier gestures”! Stay safe!
Credits
- Concept: Mahina Khanum & Avishai Leger-Tanger
- Choreography: Mahina Khanum
- Video: Avishai Leger-Tanger
- Original music: © Association Lezarts Media / Mahina Khanum, Vijay Tambe (composition & flute), Ramprasad Gannavarapu (mardala), Aparna Deodhar (sitar)
- Location: our sweet confined home!
Media
“Stay Safe” featured by OneIndia
French Odissi dancer Mahina Khanum’s video on Covid protocols went viral last year, with people across the world applauding her unique presentation.
Breaking coronavirus barriers: Odissi Gurus go online to teach students (The New Indian Express)
“A France-based artiste Mahina Khanum took the internet by storm as she uploaded a video of spreading awareness on the outbreak using steps of Odissi.”
“Stay Safe” featured on major Thai channel TNN16
The creation by Avishai Leger-Tanger and Mahina Khanum was featured in a TV show by TNN16.
From mudras to a message (The New Indian Express)
“With my husband Avishai Leger-Tanger, who is a digital artist, we didn’t really think twice about this video. After the lockdown was implemented in France, we had the urge to keep on dancing and say something useful and positive.”
Avishai Leger-Tanger is a digital artist whose work is inspired by the classical arts of India. His creations in collaboration with the renowned Indian classical Odissi dancer Mahina Khanum made the headlines in India and beyond.