Resistance | ചെറുത്തുനില്പ്

Swaroopa Prameela Unni

Reclaiming the body. Rewriting resistance.

Resistance | ചെറുത്തുനില്പ് is a bold solo dance-theatre work fusing Mohiniyattam (South Indian dance form) with spoken word, original music, and digital media. Challenging ideals of South Asian femininity, it explores women’s resilience against gendered violence through a powerful, culturally grounded lens. While rooted in South Asian experience, the work speaks universally to women across the world who navigate gender-based violence. Intimate and visually striking, the work transforms the body from a site of control into one of strength, memory, and defiance, offering a compelling experience for diverse audiences.

Reviews

She moves like a valley river does, placid and serene on the surface, but with strength and unswerving, powerful currents underneath.” – Hannah Molloy, Theatreview

The only performer on stage, Swaroopa, was graceful, yet strong, conveying a broad emotional repertoire to fit the multiple narratives unpacked during this 60-minute performance. – Hannah Goodman, Theatreviews Perth

Swaroopa demonstrates this burden by smearing paint on her face and arms during the show. I noticed after she wiped the paint off herself, traces of it remained etched into her skin, which I thought was a great metaphor for how trauma can change a person. – Marisa Quinn-Haisu , Weekend Notes

Technical

Venue Format
Black box
Outdoor space
Site-specific
Flexible

Touring Party Size

2

Location

Perth Metro

Available to Tour

From 1 June 2026

Artforms

Ballet and Dance

Audience

Adults - General
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People
d/Deaf and Disabled People
First Nations/Indigenous People
LGBTQIA+ People
Men
Older People
People in Regional/Remote Areas
Women
Young Adults

Duration

60 minutes

Get In

4 hour/s

Get Out

3 hour/s

Costs

Weekly Fee: $2 - 5k
Per Performance Fee: $2 - 5k

Company Contacts

Contact Name:

Swaroopa

Unni

Email: swaroopau@gmail.com
Phone: +61481129366

Company Bio

Swaroopa Prameela Unni is an Indian-born, Aotearoa and Australia-based dance artist, choreographer, and educator. Trained in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, her work explores identity, belonging, and feminist narratives through traditional and contemporary performance. She founded Natyaloka School of Indian Dance in Dunedin, where she developed a significant body of choreographic work and contributed to the local arts community. Now based in Boorloo/Perth, her recent performances include I AM, Perth Festival, Qtopia Sydney,Adelaide Fringe, The Blueroom Theatre Season and Fremantle Biennale 2025 . She is a 2025 Make A Start resident artist with Lucy Guerin Inc & 2026 resident artist at MJAC.