Reimagining the Margam: Contemporary Bharatanatyam Choreography

This Javali is a piece I reconnected with recently, and it was a case of the students teaching the teacher! I learned it back from a video of a class I taught, a beautiful reminder of how art is a continuous cycle of learning and sharing.

Some compositions are pure lyrical delights. This piece, set to the Nachiyar Thirumozhi, asks, "Do his coral lips smell like the lotus or camphor? Do they taste sweet?" It's a beautiful exploration of sensory details in poetry.

A performance of "Prabho Ganapathe," a playful and profound choreography I learned from my guru. It's a joy to perform this piece, which celebrates the wisdom and strength of Ganesha.

This Varnam is a beautiful example of how our festivals are lessons through metaphors. It tells the story of the Vennai Thaazhi Utsavam, where throwing butter at the deity symbolizes the surrender of the ego.

The flower is a perfect representation of the spiritual and the sensual. This Kalyani varnam explores that beautiful paradox, a theme I am constantly drawn to in my choreographic work.

This Kalyani varnam explores the idea of Cupid's five flower arrows. The nayika, or heroine, in this piece has a wonderful swag; she is unfazed and unabashed, a joy to portray.

This Ashtapadi is set to Raga Desh, a choice that makes it a fitting ode to the glorious celebration that is Radha, even in her separation. It’s a refreshing take I learned from my teacher, Mavin Khoo, inspired by the Odissi tradition.

This Shuddha Saranga thillana features motifs symbolizing the unison of Radha and Krishna. It's a beautiful, high-energy piece that I had the honor of choreographing for a digital production.

This piece, "Chinnanjiru Kiliye," is a tribute to a beloved pet who passed away. Dance can be a way to process grief, and this choreography crystallizes a bittersweet memory of playing hide-and-seek, turning personal experience into art.