Gateway Dance Theatre is proud to bring back its innovative production, Shakuntala, by Kalidasa. It tells the story of a young woman, Shakuntala, who is raised in a secluded abbey and falls in love with a monarch, King Dushyanta, whom she meets in the forest. This classic Indian play was written in 5th Century CE by Kalidasa, who is regarded as the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist. Shakuntala is considered his masterpiece. In 1789, it became the first Indian play to be translated into a Western language. Shakuntala’s love story has endured through the ages, spreading through Europe and other continents, with adaptations in various languages as dance/dramas and operas – traditional and contemporary. In 2015, it was staged as a rock opera at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

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Shakuntala is a perfect example of GDT’s vision, which aims at integrating and enhancing the arts across Iowa. The organization seeks to advance an arts movement in Iowa that encompasses global cultures and supports the sharing of resources and experiences among all communities. 

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Shakuntala

Performances July 9th, 2022, 7:30 pm

at Westminster Presbyterian Church 

4114 Allison Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50310

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We would like to share our heartfelt gratitude with Iowa Arts Council and Bravo for giving us the arts grant this year, as without that we would not have been able to bring this production to life. So thank you very much!