On August 23, 2023, Mesma Belsaré will take to the stage at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Jersey, portraying Jatayu in a captivating dance-theatre piece as part of a festival of short plays. Directed by Maya Kulkarni, this performance beautifully melds the intricate movements of bharatanatyam with the rich storytelling of theatre, bringing to life a character that embodies both bird and hero.

For Belsaré, this role is like returning home. As a young girl, she was enchanted by her mother’s handwritten Marathi plays, and those stories deeply influenced her artistic journey. Now, as she prepares to embody Jatayu, she invites the audience into a magical realm where myth, movement, and transformation come together—an artistic world she has dedicated her life to creating.

In the ancient epic Ramayana, Jatayu is a figure defined by his immense sacrifice. As an elderly vulture, he sees Ravana abducting Sita, the beloved wife of Rama. Despite his age and weakness, Jatayu bravely confronts the mighty demon king, risking everything to protect her. Though he suffers cruel injuries that lead to his demise, Jatayu plays a critical role in telling Rama about Sita’s fate, providing essential information for her rescue. This embodiment of courage, which overcomes limitations, makes Jatayu a rare literary symbol—demonstrating loyalty and selflessness that transcends his physical form.

Belsaré is no stranger to crossing boundaries herself. Constantly moving between New York, New Jersey, and India, she is a talented painter, dancer, choreographer, and actor. Her art defies simple labels. She has been recognized with the 2024 Individual Artist Fellowship for Painting from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Mid Atlantic Arts for her IndoFuturist work, which explores the intersection where ancient mythology meets the modern technological world.

With this fellowship, Belsaré has experimented with collage and painting, creating figures that represent a blend of humanity and technology. Influenced by classical art yet resonating with the unease of contemporary life, her work challenges easy categorization.

As a trans artist, her unique experiences inform her vision and art. Belsaré understands what it means to exist in a space of fluidity. Her hybrid figures, embodying multiple identities, reflect her own navigation through societal expectations. These creations champion the idea that identity isn’t just a label to fit into; it can be fluid and expansive.

Through her art, Belsaré reimagines mythological stories, often highlighting gender-non-conforming perspectives. This approach feels personal, allowing her to carve out space for herself and others who feel caught between differing worlds. Her art celebrates the beauty of ambiguity, capturing the essence of life’s complex moments.

Inspired by tantric imagery—not just for its beauty but for its deep wisdom about transformation—Belsaré’s figures embody the concept of change as a tremendous force. Long before modern terms like “metamorphosis” were coined, the ancient teachings spoke of transformation as a spiritual pathway. Her pieces embrace the uncanny, where familiar forms evolve into something entirely new.

Belsaré’s figures also dig into a pressing question in her work: What does it mean to be human in a world where the definition of humanity is constantly changing? Rather than providing answers, her art serves as a thought-provoking exploration of these profound themes.

One of her favorite techniques, collage, reflects the complexity of life. Unlike painting, where mistakes can be corrected, collages celebrate permanence. Once a texture, colour, or image is placed, it remains a part of the work. This mirrors life perfectly—our past experiences cannot be erased, but we can rearrange them in meaningful ways.

Belsaré’s recent work, Yakshi Pramoda, chosen for an upcoming exhibition at Studio Montclair, draws from the Yakshini figures found at the Sanchi stupa, a significant site of Buddhist heritage in India. Struck by the grace and vitality of these carvings, she captures their essence in her art. The Yakshinis symbolize fertility and abundance, reflecting a blend of cultural narratives that contrasts with more rigid interpretations of spirituality often presented today.

Her dance continues to break new ground, combining traditional bharatanatyam elements with contemporary themes. Having trained since 1987 under esteemed teachers and now guided by Kulkarni, Belsaré’s style is sharp and expressive, challenging established norms. Her works, such as Chinnamastā and Medea, showcase her ability to fuse classical dance with modern narratives, exploring themes of liberation, betrayal, and identity.

As the only recognized trans Bharatanatyam artist in North America, Belsaré also lends her platform to elevate the voices of South Asian trans and queer individuals. In co-founding organizations like Samvād Boston, she creates spaces for those often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Mesma Belsaré’s journey unfolds as a dance of transformation, where art becomes a medium to challenge norms and invite new conversations around identity. As she prepares for her performance of Jatayu, she welcomes everyone to join her on this incredible journey, where the fusion of myth and modernity ignites something truly special.

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