SKY TRAIN: Tibetan Women on the Edge of History by Canyon Sam

Local PEN award winning author Canyon Sam has travelled from the United States to Tibet and everywhere in between to document, and bear witness, to the largely unknown history of Tibetan women.  In the text, SKY TRAIN: Tibetan Women on the Edge of History, Sam thoroughly weaves histories of nations, spirituality, and cultures–revising and creating a body of work that bring together “herstories.”

In this segment, contributor R.J. Lozada attempts to navigate the many narratives and literary terrain with Canyon Sam.

JANAKI: Daughter of the Dirt

This September 16 -18, come join Lalitha as she walks the line between myth and reality with the help of her personal superhero, Janaki.

But who is Janaki?  She is the heroine of an ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana.  She is the most perfect woman who’s ever lived.  She is untouchable.  Or so we thought. Her story, it turns out, is more than a story.  It is the battle song of people from the north colonizing the south, of priests chanting a code of servitude, of men demanding women walk through fire.  But it is also the story of resistance.  Can Lalitha learn the striking truth about her ancestors in time to save herself?

Contributor Preeti Shekar interviews playwright Virali Golkadas about the process and layers of this new perspective on a traditional tale.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/27773275 w=400&h=265]

“Janaki – Daughter of the Dirt” | World Premiere | 16 – 18 September from Siren Theatre Project on Vimeo.

Join host, R.J. Lozada  (the only man) on this very special woman show.

The post APEX Express – September 15, 2011 appeared first on KPFA.