INSPIRATION

VEIL OF JANKI BAI draws inspiration from the life of Janki Bai of Allahabad (1880-1934) who was the famous vocalist and courtesan who created history as the first Indian classical artist to record on the Gramophone and her recordings were so popular they created a lavender record as her signature.

She always wore a veil when singing and was known as Chhappan Chhuri, referring to the 56 scars from cuts on her face. It is not clear how she got the scars, but what is known is that she was a pioneer and a great artist.

A STORY FOR OUR TIMES

In spite of Janki Bai being the subject of great violence, ironically the expression “chhappan chhuri” has become synonymous with a

“Sharp tongued woman”. This piece seeks to reframe this story from a conceptual standpoint with a humanist lens, particularly in a time when women ’s and trans’ bodily self-determination are under open assault.

A POWERFUL SYMBOL FOR WOMEN

Janki Bai is a powerful symbol for women of all ages because she took her challenges and make them her superpower and became a history-making vocalist who was the first to record on the gramophone and whose records became so famous and popular, they printed a special edition lavender record as her signature.

VEIL OF JANKI BAI will utilize kathak dancers and live musicians, storytelling, poetry, multimedia, and song including traditional styles of thumri (a semi-classical vocal form known for its romantic and devotional themes) to tell a powerful and compelling story from history that relates to clearly to our current times.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES VEIL OF JANKI BAI - A STORY FOR OUR TIMES

$10,000 - Visionary

6 Tickets to World Premiere performance of Veil of Janki Bai
Invitation for 6 to special event with artistic creators on September 13, 2025, Name listed under Visionary Sponsor in program and on website
Special post-performance reception after Veil of Janki Bai at ODC Theater on November 9, 2025, Recognition in the press release distributed to the media (optional)

$5,000 - Ambassador

4 Tickets to World Premiere performance of Veil of Janki Bai
Invitation for 4 to special event with artistic creators on September 13, 2025, Name listed under Ambassador Sponsor in program and on website
Special post-performance reception after Veil of Janki Bai at ODC Theater on November 9, 2025

$2,500 - Advocate

2 Tickets to World Premiere performance of Veil of Janki Bai
Invitation for 2 to special event with artistic creators on September 13, 2025, Name listed under Advocate Sponsor in program and on website
Special post-performance reception after Veil of Janki Bai at ODC Theater on November 9, 2025

WHAT YOUR SPONSORSHIP SUPPORTS

Indian classical dance, and kathak specifically, deserves to be profiled in a professional manner befitting of the caliber of the art.

$34,000 - Artist Costs (Creative collaborators, performers, rehearsals)

$27,000 - Production Costs (venue rental, production staff & crew, lighting/sound design) $15,000 - Marketing (Publicist, printing, advertisements)

$8,500 - Artist, travel, hospitality, accommodations

$2,500 - Cost to coordinate and staff Kathak Classes for Domestic Violence Survivors $25,000 - Administrative, Oversight, Logistics Management

Total Costs $112,000

Total Income $42,000

(Ticket Sales $17,000, Grant Funding $25,000)

VEIL OF JANKI BAI

By Chitresh Das Institute

VEIL OF JANKI BAI