Ishita Presents I, SITA

Ishita Singla is an artist, performer, director, choreographer, and above all, a courageous creator. I met her about two to two and a half years ago, when I was planning a movie project. Through references and social media, we connected with her and gave her a few songs to choreograph. She prepared almost all of them with great dedication, but unfortunately the movie project fell through. I was very unhappy about it, and we apologized to her.

Time passed, and I kept noticing her dance workshops on social media. Then, about a year later, I suddenly saw an ad for Madhuban Performing Arts presenting a theatre production called I, SITA, directed by Ishita Singla. I couldn’t believe it. I bought a ticket right away, the show was in downtown Calgary.

The Grand Theatre show was packed. I was shocked after the show started—every aspect of that historical drama amazed me. It presented the past, present, and future through scene work, costumes, dialogue, dance, and storytelling all of which were brilliant. Since I have also performed on stage and directed many plays, I observed very keenly and from a critic’s perspective. 

Anyway, with huge singers, drama artists, and dancers, it was great. To me, it looked like a Broadway production—not less than that in any way. A year later, Ishita performed again with her big and talented team in Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton, at the Orange Hub Theatre. Once again, she made history and delivered a remarkable performance. The audience was incredible.

I have many things to say about Ishita Singla—whether as a writer, director, actress, dancer, or choreographer. She is already onto a new adventure called *Ajooba*. We Calgarians are all waiting for this next adventure!