Artistic Bharatanatyam Portraits & Thematic Photoshoots
Beyond the stage, I use photography to explore narratives and emotions. These images are a visual extension of the stories I tell through dance, from the playfulness of Holi to the philosophical depth of Tagore's poetry.
A short video exploring 'Shringara', the emotion of love, through the concept of Manmatha or Cupid's arrows. It is fascinating to find such open expressions of female desire in songs from the 16th century.
A full-body shot from my photoshoot in the woods, capturing a classic Bharatanatyam pose. The natural setting provides a serene backdrop to the dance form's inherent grace.
Seated in a forest grove, this pose evokes a sense of being one with nature. For me, Bharatanatyam is a way to connect with something ancient and elemental.
An 'abhinaya' piece telling a legend about the origin of Holi, where Radha playfully colors Krishna's face. It's a beautiful story about transcending the boundaries of skin color.
Getting ready to play Holi in this short, expressive video. The festival's legends, like the burning of Holika, remind us of the victory of good over evil.
A celebration of Holi, the festival of spring and colors. It's a time for joy, but also a reminder to be conscious of our impact on the earth as we celebrate.
A dynamic, joyful leap captured during a Holi photoshoot. The explosion of organic colors mirrors the vibrant energy of the festival and the dance.
About this collection
When I am not on stage, I work with photographers to strip away the grandiosity and find the quiet truths in dance. Whether it is the vibrant playfulness of Holi or the stark simplicity of 'Aharya' (the ornamentation of the dancer), these shoots are my laboratory. They allow me to pause, reflect on the specific verse or poem I am currently interpreting, and explore how the body speaks when the music stops and the camera is the only audience.
Photography has become an essential medium for me to bridge my research and my movement. While a live performance is ephemeral, these portraits allow me to freeze a moment of 'Abhinaya' (expression) and dissect it.
My approach to these thematic shoots is rarely about simply documenting a costume or a pose. Instead, I try to lean into the concept of 'Chinamayi esheche mrinmoyi rupe'—finding the eternal in an earthen form. For example, during my recent series on Holi, I did not just want pretty pictures. I wanted to use organic colors and natural settings to reflect on our relationship with nature and the origins of these spring legends.
Similarly, when I shoot pieces related to Rabindranath Tagore's work, like 'Momo Chitte', I am not just recreating a dance. I am engaging in a visual inquiry. A recent reading of Adya Rangacharya’s analysis of the Natya Shastra made me question how much of our identity as dancers is tied to our costume. Does the process of getting ready transform us, or are we just revealing who we already are? These questions often inform the styling, the minimal makeup, or the specific handloom sarees I choose to wear in these sessions.
If you are looking to collaborate on a project that seeks to blend Indian classical aesthetics with conceptual storytelling, these portraits should give you a sense of my visual language. I am not looking for generic dance photography. I am interested in themes, academic rigor, and the 'why' behind the movement. Whether you want to explore mythological themes, delve into the climate crisis, or capture the intimacy of a solo recital, I am open to discussing how we can create something meaningful together.
Tanya Saxena
I am Tanya. I see dance not just as performance, but as a lens to view history, mythology, and the complexities of human identity. I am just as likely to be found researching an ancient text as I am rehearsing on stage, constantly trying to bridge the gap between tradition and the modern world.
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