Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program alums Vaibu Mohan and Zach Catron (both cycle 31) presented their new musical SATI: GODDESS INCARNATE at the York Theatre hosted by Seth Christenfeld (cycle 23). The presentation took place in late January 2023.
In a rural village in India, an 18-year-old girl is burned alive on the funeral pyre of her deceased husband. The townspeople all stick to the same story: the girl went willingly and was not only blessed by the Mother Goddess, Sati, but touched—she was chosen to do this.
Sati: Goddess Incarnate is loosely inspired by the true story of Roop Kanwar, the last recorded case of the practice of sati—widow burning—in India, and tells a story that is yet to be told: Roop’s story. A headstrong and defiant girl, Roop is constantly at odds with what is expected of her. But she discovers a magical connection with Goddess Sati during the holy Navratri festival and sends her village into a frenzy. What happens when the people who laud you as a goddess turn against you?