The Creative Process: Inside My Choreographic Work
Dance isn't just about the final bow. It is the research, the late-night studio sessions, and the collaborative sparks that happen long before the stage lights go up. Here is a look behind the scenes at how a concept becomes movement.
A moment of beautiful synergy on stage with a fellow artist. Collaboration is at the heart of my practice, and the dialogue between dancers, and between dancer and musician, is where the magic happens.
A dynamic duet moment from the production *Sarvasya*. The interplay between two dancers creates a unique energy, allowing for complex storytelling and visual harmony.
A throwback to a performance in the UK. The smoke and lighting create a mystical atmosphere, transforming the stage and highlighting the dancer's form. Every element of a production contributes to the story.
This abhang has my heart. Here, I'm exploring how to infuse the essence of folk art traditions into a classical piece. The marriage of folk and classical is a splendid retreat for the dancing body.
Dancers became friends, and friends became dancers. A beautiful outdoor photoshoot with fellow dancer Utthara Unni, celebrating our shared passion for the art form.
A full circle moment, collaborating with two wonder-women in my life, singer Gayathri Venkataraghavan and illustrator Upasana Govindarajan, on a beautiful Pillai Tamizh poem. This is the beauty of multidisciplinary art.
Another capture of the dynamic interplay between two dancers in *Sarvasya*. Creating these moments of connection and contrast is a key part of my choreographic work.
A behind-the-scenes look at filming a digital work. Here we are discussing the lighting, deciding to keep it in the "red zone" to build the emotional tension of the scene. Every detail matters.
A rehearsal video for an upcoming performance. This is where the hard work happens, refining the movements and connecting with the music and poetry.
Another shot from the "Vriksha" photoshoot with Utthara Unni. The natural setting provides a beautiful backdrop for the classical forms of Bharatanatyam.
About The Creative Process
When you commission a piece, you aren't just paying for steps; you are paying for roughly 20 hours of research-backed development. I start with the text—often decoding Pāli, Marathi, or Tamil poetry—before we even touch the music. If you want something that feels personal, be prepared to talk about what stories actually matter to you. I don't just choreograph; I build a narrative arc from the ground up.
My creative process is built on the belief that a dancer must be a researcher first. Before I teach a single adavu, I spend weeks immersed in the literature—whether it's the philosophical depth of Buddhist Nuns' Pāli texts or the raw devotion in Marathi Abhangs. This ensures the movement vocabulary isn't just aesthetic; it’s grounded in meaning.
How We Work Together
Whether you are looking for a solo Bharatanatyam piece or a full-length thematic production, my approach remains collaborative.
- The Narrative Foundation: We start with a concept or a text. I help curate the research, translating obscure verses into a language the body understands. This is where we decide the emotional tone of the piece.
- Music and Soundscape: I work closely with musicians to ensure the music isn't just a background rhythm. We develop the Raga and Tala structure to support the emotional intent of the story.
- Technical Rigor: From designing lighting cues that shift with the scene's tension to writing detailed Nattuvangam scripts for your orchestra, I take care of the structural heavy lifting.
My studio practice—my Riyaaz—is a way of life. It’s demanding, yes, but it is also where the discovery happens. I don't believe in rigid formulas; I believe in breaking down traditional boundaries to find fresh movement vocabulary that still respects the classical grammar.
If you are a dancer looking for a unique repertoire, we can start with a 6-8 hour masterclass to refine your Abhinaya and body mechanics. If you are a producer, we can build a cohesive script and ensemble movement from scratch. Let's create something that feels both ancient and urgent.
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