![](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/05/10647183_10152755960356054_3526598700631957867_n.jpg)
![Photo: Mudra Dance Studio's](https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/06/gyaanvillage1-2.jpg)
When faced with tragedy, Namita Khanna Nariani dealt with it the only way she knew how -- through dance. Nariani runs a classical and contemporary Indian dance school in Aurora called Mudra Dance Studio. She says she was inspired to create Mudra's latest production, "Gyaan," after two studio members and a friend took their lives. "Gyaan" means "truth through knowledge" in Sanskrit, and is a departure from Mudra's standard more light-hearted repertoire. It grapples with difficult topics, like suicide, rape and violence. The production debuted last fall, and returns to the Lakewood Cultural Center this weekend.
![Photo: Mudra Dance Studio, Namita Khanna Nariani and her daughter, Eishita](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/06/img_1732-1.jpg)
Nariani and her daughter, Eishita, spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner about the show and Mudra's origins.
More:
- See "Gyaan" at the Lakewood Cultural Center Aug. 14 - 16
- Learn classical and contemporary Indian dance at Mudra Dance Studio
- Watch a trailer from "Gyaan"