Commissions

Stemming from Tanusree Shankar’s belief that the eloquent expression of dance is universal, this project envisages the grammar of Indian dance going beyond the traditional and classical. Eight young practitioners of jazz, ballet, contemporary dance, Kathak, Odissi and Kalaripayattu come together under the guidance of Bharatanatyam guru Rama Vaidyanathan to present the well-defined movements of the classical style in a contemporary arrangement.

It takes years to master Bharatanatyam, but through ancient stories and philosophical metaphors, Rama Vaidyanathan acquaints the young dancers with the unparalleled beauty of the classical dance style. The extremely distinct, clear, precise and direct movements of Bharatanatyam will take on a fluid and contemporary vocabulary. Having enabled them to unlock the many rasas of Bharatanatyam, under Rama’s directives these eight dancers have together created three surreal pieces.