--- title: "Artistic Bharatanatyam Portraits & Thematic Photoshoots in Delhi" description: "Explore artistic Bharatanatyam portraits and thematic photoshoots by Tanya Saxena. Blending Indian classical dance with storytelling, perfect for unique conceptual projects." canonical: https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/artistic-portraits-thematic-photoshoots last_updated: 2025-09-22 --- # Artistic Bharatanatyam Portraits & Thematic Photoshoots Tribe Verified · Professional Bharatanatyam artist, Delhi NCR based. By [Tanya Saxena](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer) · Performs across Delhi NCR and travels pan-India · ₹28K Per Performance (up to 30 mins) (estimate) Part of [Bharatanatyam Performances](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/gallery) 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. ## Photos and videos - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/625736fc-e136-4857-b5f2-a808e8774de4) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6b27a958-3d28-4540-b483-997aa3846ba6) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5a026855-00c5-45da-8fac-5c20c9afdf3c) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cac0608c-d582-493a-bdff-f34f31d99643) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5b311a90-e0fd-4d31-afd6-e5b5596a0750) - [Video: 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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/664e3742-526c-4919-9c0a-06d886812af8) - ![A dynamic, joyful leap captured during a Holi photoshoot. The explosion of organic colors mirrors the vibrant energy of the festival and the dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/31e16aae-5b5b-4406-bf77-43fc81765551) - ![A reclining pose amidst the dry branches, covered in Holi colors. This image captures a moment of abandon and connection with the natural landscape during the spring festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/683778a3-9c57-4963-b353-d776dd831411) - [Video: An exploration of a verse from the Soundarya Lahari celebrating Kamadeva, the God of Love, whose arrival is heralded by Spring. This was filmed in a beautiful, sunlit room.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/be05cf67-cace-4ffc-9e46-c33a106648e4) - ![Dancing to Rabindranath Tagore's song 'Momo Chitte' in the studio. The song speaks of life's dualities, like birth and death, dancing side by side in rhythm.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/424b73a8-02a6-4be9-b073-d14023ccb93b) - ![A pose of complete surrender and joy from my interpretation of 'Momo Chitte'. Tagore's work is a constant source of inspiration, a wealth of a different kind.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c2388859-370c-47cd-9d16-6cf18c39ffe0) - ![A studio portrait capturing a moment from my dance to a Rabindrasangeet. Connecting my Bharatanatyam practice with my Bengali heritage is deeply fulfilling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f504c3b-2b11-4644-b715-dcf1f6d409b7) - ![A beautiful moment of serendipity, dancing to Tagore's music on his birth anniversary, Tagore Jayanti. This was part of a duet performance celebrating his work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/30874311-3c90-499f-b2e7-0c8a1e0bb666) - ![The poster for a tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, where I presented two songs from his magnum opus, the Gitabitan.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2504390-356d-4ed0-ac03-3c12db53cdf3) - ![A portrait from a shoot where I explored the idea of 'aharya' (adornment) with minimal makeup and jewelry. It made me question how much of our identity as dancers is tied to our costume.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f88e0f84-1880-4225-a7e2-00a82b1c8757) - ![An artistic shot with a focused hand gesture, blurring the background. This photo plays with perception, a theme I am constantly exploring in my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/218477e8-d1db-4e3e-83a8-2be7aeab7ba8) - ![A creative perspective on the lotus hand gesture, or 'padmakosha hasta'. This photoshoot was a chance to feel free and still feel very much like a dancer.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b3dae23a-4122-4e24-9330-a61a2341f481) - ![A quiet, reflective black and white portrait. These moments of introspection are as much a part of my dance practice as the physical training.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2f7650d-afd2-40bb-b72f-43ec7d7d16c7) - ![Striking a pose at a Lakshmi temple in between SPIC MACAY workshops. The architecture of temples, with their dancing sculptures, is a constant source of inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/642fd463-7622-4670-9df6-19e89cca1a09) - ![A graceful pose on the steps of a marble temple in Uttarakhand. The serene environment provided a beautiful contrast to the dynamic energy of the dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3e930ed6-2449-47e6-a8af-daafa9f4949c) - ![Another photo from an impromptu session at a temple. The joy of dance is finding moments to connect with the art form wherever you are.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0081fed9-e13b-40d0-8fa9-37d4893f1103) ## About Artistic Portraits & Thematic Photoshoots 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. ## About 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. [See all of Tanya Saxena's services](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer) ## More from Bharatanatyam Performances by Tanya Saxena - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/featured) - [Ikshana: A Bharatanatyam Perspective on Climate Change](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/ikshana-a-bharatanatyam-perspective-on-climate-change) - [The Creation of a Goddess: A Navratri Photo Story](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/the-creation-of-a-goddess-a-navratri-photo-story) - [Solo Recitals: The Classical Repertoire](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/solo-recitals-the-classical-repertoire) - [Sonar Bangla: Celebrating Bengal's River Culture](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/sonar-bangla-celebrating-bengal-s-river-culture) - [Pehchaan: An Exploration of Art & Identity](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/pehchaan-an-exploration-of-art-identity) - [Collaborations & Experimental Works](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/collaborations-experimental-works) - [Behind the Scenes: Process & Pedagogy](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/behind-the-scenes-process-pedagogy) ## More services by Tanya Saxena - [Dance Production & Choreography](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography) - [Classical Dance Education](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/classical-dance-education) ## Similar work from other experts - [The Art of Storytelling: Conceptual and Theatrical Dance Photography](https://mytribe.in/shreyasigopinath/modeling/the-art-of-storytelling-conceptual-theatrical) by Shreyasi Gopinath · Modeling · Available for shoots across Delhi NCR and India - [Kathak Artistic Portraits and Visual Storytelling](https://mytribe.in/eshanisathe.kathak/choreography-performance-services/artistic-portraits) by Eshani Sathe · Choreography & Performance Services · Takes projects in Mumbai, Pune, and across India - [Artistic Dance Collaborations and Conceptual Photoshoots](https://mytribe.in/salonis/live-performances-event-entertainment/artistic-collaborations-photoshoots) by Saloni Saraf · Live Performances & Event Entertainment · Performs across Mumbai, London, India & the UK - [Creative & Conceptual Photography](https://mytribe.in/nikhilportraitvision/portrait-photography/creative-conceptual) by Nikhil's Portrait Vision · Portrait Photography · Studio in Varanasi; Travels across India & Dubai for shoots - [Bharatanatyam Photography: Capturing Grace and Motion](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/the-art-of-dance-photography) by Sushmitha Suresh · Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography · Travels for performances in Bengaluru & Chennai; Online choreography available - [Classical Dance Portraits & Artistic Moments](https://mytribe.in/adithiashok/dance-choreography-services/additional-work-portraits) by Adithi Ashok · Dance Choreography Services · Travels across Bengaluru and India ## Book To book Tanya Saxena, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Tanya%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20artistic%20portraits%20on%20mytribe%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20a%20thematic%20photoshoot%20for%20my%20upcoming%20project.)