Explore poetry in motion through dance and music dialogues
See how movement and melody intertwine in my collaborations. We explore the deep, quiet conversations between the dancer and the singer on stage.
The poster for our 'Mandala' performance at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. This production is a poetic journey in music and dance, directed by my guru, Leela Samson.
A wide shot of the 'Mandala' stage, showing the stark, minimalist setup. The focused spotlight emphasizes the intimate connection between me, the dancer, and Chandana, the musician.
A moment of quiet contemplation during 'Mandala'. We used the poetry of saints like Kabir, who wrote, "Where are you searching for me? I am within you!", as the core of this production.
Performing a piece from 'Mandala' with musician Chandana Bala Kalyan. Her voice becomes a partner in the dance, guiding my movements and shaping the emotional landscape of the story.
A performance still from 'Mandala'. The production has traveled to several cities, and with each show, the chemistry and conversation between the music and dance deepens.
Taking a bow with my incredible collaborator, Chandana Bala Kalyan, after a performance of 'Mandala'. Her musicality and spirit are the soul of this production.
A moment of storytelling from 'Mandala'. The piece explores the journey from worldly love to spiritual realization, using the poetry of Indian saints as our guide.
An artistic shot from 'Mandala', capturing the mood of introspection. The lighting design by Gyandev is crucial in creating the sacred, circular space that the performance inhabits.
Another perspective on 'Mandala', where the dancer is a silhouette against the musician's vibrant presence. It speaks to the idea of music being the source from which movement emerges.
An excerpt from 'Mandala', where I interpret a folk-based composition. This piece showcases a lighter, more playful side of the production's emotional journey.
About Poetry in Motion: Dance & Music Dialogues
Bringing live music and dance together on one stage requires more than coordination. It asks for a shared rhythm, where my movements react to the vocal inflections of the singer in real-time. This is not a performance to a pre-recorded track. It is a live conversation where the music breathes, and I follow that breath.
In projects like 'Mandala', we strip away the excess. There is no large ensemble or heavy set design. It is just the dancer and the musician, creating a shared space where the poetry of saints like Kabir and Meera Bai becomes the anchor. When I interpret lines such as 'Where are you searching for me? I am within you!', the movement is not just literal; it is an internal response to the vocal phrasing and the singer's intent.
The technical aspect is where the dialogue truly happens. We have spent months selecting texts and refining the transitions to ensure the performance flows seamlessly. For the lighting, I work closely with designers to ensure the focus remains on the interplay of the silhouette and the voice. This requires consistent rehearsal, not just of steps, but of timing. Every venue is different, from the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai to smaller cultural spaces, and adapting the choreography to the specific acoustics of each room is a vital part of my process. If you are looking for a performance that moves beyond traditional choreography to become an intimate dialogue between art forms, this is the essence of my work.
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