Mother, let’s dance to politics

UK-based Hofesh Shechter brings his explosive dance work, Political Mother, to Delhi, asking us to walk the thin line between patriotism and power, belonging and bondage

The gesture of raising the arms is ceremonial, ancient and open to interpretation

When he travels to different countries with his most famous work, UK-based Hofesh Shechter does not add any local elements to it. “The obsession with power and control is so universal that we can stage the dance anywhere and it will echo,” says the 39-year-old about Political Mother. Since Shechter first presented this piece in 2010, Political Mother has become his business card, primarily for its uncomfortable questions about the most hallowed of sentiments — belonging, “whether it is to a nation or to rock and roll”. Last week, the Hofesh Shechter Company kick-started Impulse 2, British Council’s annual festival of dance, in Delhi, the dancer-choreographer speaks about the work. Edited excerpts:

Anatomy of Leadership

I like the connection between the words ‘Political’ and ‘Mother’. Israel, Germany and so many countries are referred to as the Motherland and the leaders are like fathers. Our sense of emotional attachment begins with our home and our parents. We feel we owe them everything and we must give back. On this sentiment is based the idea of a group, a tribe and a nation. This is a fortune to many leaders and, as we strive to fulfil our emotional sense of belonging, our stories take a turn towards power and control. Human beings not only want to lead, they are also obsessed with being led and told what to do. Political Mother is not an entertaining piece, though there are entertaining elements in it; our aim is to challenge people into questioning their deepest beliefs.

Folk and Free

Political Mother presents different characters, from politicians and rock stars to soldiers to prisoners. The beginning is almost a ceremonial dance; it is really ancient. People gather together, they lift the spirits up and it is almost spiritual. I love a simple gesture that is present in many cultures, of lifting the arms in the air. It can be read in so many ways — are they praying or greeting, are they reaching for god or are they submitting to something greater than themselves, are they lifting their arms because they have gained victory or are they surrendering to a benign or a hostile power? When the audience is confused, they ask questions. The folk forms come from Israel, Japan and Romania among others, but oppression is told through contemporary moves that draw upon classical forms but are ‘undescribed’ and free. I have created contemporary gestures to relate to the sensations I feel. Unlike classical kathak or ballet, contemporary dance is unpredictable and you never know what is going to happen next.

Sound Energy

Music defines a lot of the energy. This time, I had an idea to steal a groove from a Peter Gabriel song and record it. This miserable recording grew into what now sounds like ‘the end of the world’. Peter himself wouldn’t know it was inspired by him, and I am not sure he’d want to. I listened to masters during my classical piano training in Israel, so there is also classical works and a little Bach in Political Mother.

Baggage from Israel

Being Israeli comes with baggage. I grew up in a country where I saw conflict first hand and it will essentially inform my work. I saw a separation of two nations and a big separation inside each nation. There is a conflict between Israel and Palestine and, within Israel and Palestine, there are many groups with their ideas of belonging, pride and power. Israel is an extreme place so you get to question what it means to want to control other people. You wonder what is freedom. Growing up in this extreme environment infiltrates the work and its dynamics. Yet, this work is not autobiographical; I am trying to use the emotions to make a universal piece. It deals with questions but not with place and time.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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