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Productions

VELLAAYI

PC: Roy Photographs

“Vellaayi” is a Bharatanatyam production that celebrates the life of a warrior, whose voice and anklets reverberated in the banks of Cauvery and the hallowed streets of Srirangam. Based on a book written by Thiru. Raja Saravanan, this solo production is about the historical legend of Vellaayi, a temple dancer of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. Set during a period of Mughal invasion and unrest, this work recounts her act of extraordinary sacrifice to protect Lord Ranganatha. Her final act—one of courage, devotion, and self-sacrifice—became inseparable from the history of the temple itself and is remembered through the Vellai Gopuram.This production salutes and honors a woman whose dance became an act of resistance! Video Link: https://youtu.be/9fE9JooKbe8

NER KANNADI

Ner Kannadi’ is a solo Bharatanatyam showcase that is an exploration of contemporary Malayalam poetry. This production delves into both well known characters from Indian mythology/history and celebrating nature itself. Presented in a Margam format, it delves into the psyche of "Nangeli" to understand what it means to be a woman- then and now; tries to realise who Radha really is, beyond her association with Krishna ("Radha..Njaan?!), indulges in a lullaby that goes beyond to empower ("Taaraattu") and culminates with a ode to Mother Nature through the strong verses of the celebrated poet/activist Smt. Sugathakumari teacher ("Marathinnu Stuti"). Poetry has been taken from Smt. Sugathakumari teacher's works and also new poetry specifically written for the pieces based on Dr. Janaki's ideas/thoughts and translated to Malayalam. Evocative music has been specially composed for all the pieces. Video link: https://youtu.be/-ECM1iPrPmo

PC: Moments by Priyanka

WHEN SHADOWS SING

PC: NMACC

‘When Shadows Sing’ is an evocative solo Bharatanatyam showcase that delves into the inner landscapes of female voices long silenced by history. Presented in the classical Margam format, this performance weaves together a rich tapestry of contemporary Tamil poetry. Through a moving exploration of themes like conflict ("Avalum Naanum"- the trauma and resilience of an acid attack survivor), disrespect ("Moodevi"), and lost love ("AbhisArikA"- an exploration of the emotional turmoil of a young bride caught amidst the Sri Lankan civil war), it illuminates how these voices find profound beauty and resilience through self-love and empowerment. Each verse resonates deeply, guiding you through a transformative journey where the shadows of the past are illuminated by the light of self-acceptance and strength. Video link: https://youtu.be/YP0LZYyACw8

Āmuktamālyada

"Āmuktamālyada" is a new solo Bharatanatyam production that brings to life the myriad experiences of "Āndāl ", the young Tamil poet and the only female saint among the Vaishnavaite saints, the Āzhwārs. Through the brilliant words and poetic imagery woven by the great poet-king, Sri Krishnadevarāya, this production takes us through the erotic and sacred mysticism of Āndāl and her unwavering deep love for Lord Ranganātha. Loosely based on the Mārgam format, this production takes us through a journey from Āndāl as a young child to her divine union with the Lord. This is a rare production which is based on an epic poem written in pure Telugu by a mighty emperor of what we know as the Kannada land today, about the divine girl hugely celebrated in today’s Tamil land! Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceQAJyWNye8

PC: Mr. Varun Khanna

yoni

PC: Mr. Kishore Gumaste

"YONI" is a new solo production that explores the myriad shades of the female energy. This is a conversation to create an awareness about what the female energy actually is as represented in various Indian traditional texts. YONI questions our (mis)understanding of the female existence today, one that is seen with the colored lenses of sexuality, gender and other extrinsic factors that have been carefully imposed over many thousands of years. Through Bharatanatyam and the spoken word in English, YONI is a dance-theater production. Video link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkYUUp6mX6gjMhP22wRgOfoIegVwZgo49

UNRAVELLED

"Unravelled" is a new solo production that explores the unseen layers of the iconic Draupadi. What is it about this woman that has captured the imagination of poets and writers for so many centuries? So much so that she is the only mortal woman from the Indian epics who is worshipped as a Goddess - Draupadi Amman. Through Bharatanatyam and the spoken word in English, UNRAVELLED is a dance-theater production. Video link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkYUUp6mX6ggikkCiN3CwjJ7nFoEtj1eg

PC: Mr. Kishore Gumaste

SAMAH

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PC: Mr. Govindarajan

"Samah"- For many centuries, two intertwined streams of thoughts have flourished giving rise to ecstatic poems that highlight the mad desire to live (and perhaps die) for a divine bond beyond the worldly realms. Voices that echo an unquenchable love for the divine and sometimes where the love itself becomes divine! Barring religion, caste, language, social standing or economic status, these poems advocate emotional restlessness and a very intimate expression of the individual self. In this modern era of religious intolerance and turmoil, Samah explores intense and beautiful poetic works of Sufi poets like Kabir, Rumi, Amir Khusrau, Raskhan, Bulle Shah and Bhakti poets like Surdas, Vidyapati, Mirabai, Kanhopatra, Andal.

Antaryatra -
The Journey Within

"Antaryatra - The Journey Within" explores the journey of the human mind. The performance begins with the neutral mind which is fulfilled and is at peace - a mind devoid of strong emotions. Through the course of the performance, various emotions are explored revealing the complexities of the human psyche. As the performance draws to a close, the mind transcends physical limitations to unite with the eternal consciousness.

VOICES

"Voices" is a celebration of the incredible human accomplishment of creating magic with words. The title Voices comes from the idea that the words in a poem start first as the Poet's voice. Those words are then interpreted by readers in their own voices in different ways. Dancers and musicians interpret poetry through movement and sound. Voices explores unusual verses by several poets including Pablo Neruda, Amir Khusrau and Jaishankar Prasad.

PC: Mr. Prakash Bala

Samviksana -
An Exploration

"Samviksana - An Exploration" is a margam-based performance that includes traditional items from the Bharatanatyam repertoire. The centerpiece is a varnam that describes the love of a nayika for her Lord. The production showcases the beauty of the Bharatanatyam vocabulary through precise rhythmic movements as well as brings out the emotive aspects that are central to this dance form.

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Accolades

Nadanamamani - Shriram Award of Excellence awarded by Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai, India
Yagnaraman Award of Excellence awarded by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, India
Vasanthalakshmi-Narasimhachari Award awarded by Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, India
Rohini Krishnan Endowment Prize (Guru KJ Sarasa Memorial Award) awarded by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, India
NCA Excellence Award awarded by Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust, Chennai, India
Sathya Nrithya Sundaram awarded by Bharatanjali Trust, Chennai, India
Nritya Shiromani awarded by Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangh, Cuttack, India
Singar Mani awarded by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, India
Outstanding Contribution to Dance Award awarded by Lions Club, Chennai, India
Kala Rathna awarded by Bhairavi Fine Arts Society (Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival), Cleveland, USA
MetroDC Dance Award, Washington D.C., USA
Dance Connect Commissioning Project Award, Washington, D.C., USA
Strauss Fellowship for Choreography, Virginia, USA
Doordarshan Graded Artist, India
ICCR Empanelled Artist, India

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