Lec-Dems: Making Classical Dance Accessible
Bharatanatyam is not just visual; it is intellectual. My lecture-demonstrations bridge the gap between performance and appreciation, unpacking the stories, emotions, and rhythm for every audience.
A moment from my SPIC MACAY presentation at Amity International, Gurgaon. The goal of these lec-dems is to make classical dance engaging for young students.
Demonstrating abhinaya during the SPIC MACAY lec-dem. I break down complex expressions and stories to make them relatable for the audience.
With students and faculty at Amity International after the performance. The interactive Q&A sessions are always a highlight of my school outreach programs.
A group photo with my accompanying musicians and the school hosts. A successful lec-dem is always a team effort.
Snippets from a SPIC MACAY program at Delhi Technological University, where I performed and interacted with engineering students about the art and science of Bharatanatyam.
The official poster for my 'Virasat 2025' recital at the Delhi Technological University, presented by SPIC MACAY.
An announcement for my Bharatanatyam performance at Yashmay World School, in association with SPIC MACAY.
Expressing a moment of 'bhava' during the 'RASA SUTRA' lec-dem at Calcutta University, where I highlighted the use of Sanskrit in my repertoire.
A thoughtful moment during the Q&A session at Calcutta University. The engagement with scholars and students was highly fulfilling.
Using hand gestures, or mudras, to explain a concept from a Sanskrit text during my 'RASA SUTRA' presentation.
About Lec-Dems: Making Classical Dance Accessible
These are not dry academic lectures. When I walk onto a stage for a lec-dem, I bring my musicians with me to demonstrate how the Tala (rhythm) and Raga (melody) breathe life into the choreography. It is a live conversation where I break down the Abhinaya (expression) and the Sanskrit texts behind the dance, ensuring that whether you are a student, an engineer, or a corporate professional, the beauty of the performance resonates with you immediately.
My practice at Natya Vriksha is rooted in the guru-shishya parampara, and I view the stage as a classroom. A lecture-demonstration is a specific format where I demystify the complexities of classical dance. We move away from the separation of a standard proscenium theatre. I speak directly to the audience, explaining why a specific Mudra (hand gesture) is used or how the Mridangam player follows the dancer’s footwork.
I travel with a live acoustic ensemble, typically a Nattuvangam or vocalist and a Mridangam player. Using recorded tracks diminishes the spiritual and technical connection of the performance. By keeping the music live, I can pause, slow down a passage, or repeat a rhythmic sequence to show exactly how the dance is constructed.
I have presented these across diverse environments, from the tech-heavy halls of Delhi Technological University to the Sanskrit departments of Calcutta University. The Q&A segment is often the most revealing part of these events, as it allows us to discuss everything from the history of Indian aesthetics to the role of the arts in modern education. Whether the setting is a school or a cultural conclave, the focus remains on making the art form accessible and meaningful for the current generation.
Geeta Chandran
I see dance as a dialogue, not a monologue. My sessions are about inviting you into the world of Bharatanatyam, stripping away the mystery, and sharing the sheer joy of our traditions through stories and live music.
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