--- title: "Behind the Scenes: Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography" description: "Get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of Bharatanatyam dancer Tanya Saxena. Explore choreography, performance logistics, and dance pedagogy." canonical: https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/behind-the-scenes-process-pedagogy last_updated: 2025-09-22 --- # Behind the Scenes: The Bharatanatyam Creative Process Tribe Verified · Performed at the Mariinsky Theatre, Russia. 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) A glimpse into the life of a dancer, from the whirlwind of international tours and meticulous rehearsals to the simple joy of finding a new movement in the studio. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Part one of my vlog from the Festival of India in Russia. This video documents the whirlwind of preparation, from assembling a 15 person team in 36 hours to intensive rehearsals before taking flight.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d06e4bf4-30fc-48da-808a-cccfd8c54c13) - ![A personal photo from our tour to Russia. Four years prior, I was a tourist watching ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre; this time, I was there to perform Bharatanatyam on its stage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d4b2bfc-bfc6-4460-8fcb-ebb529aca849) - ![The bare stage of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking and daunting. It was an incredible challenge and honor for our team to perform there.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3d5084cb-7ffb-4383-8e53-6654f2d3de6d) - [Video: After a SPIC MACAY workshop demonstration, I was inspired by the dancing sculptures at a local temple in Ratlam. I could not resist trying to replicate some of the beautiful poses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0e76f879-053a-4049-b1dd-546adb8e4446) - [Video: A fun, spontaneous 'jathi' or rhythmic sequence in the studio. It's wonderful to have time to just dance without an agenda, purely for the joy of it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eb2e97e9-4880-4488-8188-a70f802c8911) - [Video: Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with my dance team. Festivals are a wonderful opportunity to connect our practice with devotion and celebration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/95e73db2-df5f-4385-8aaa-0f18c2cc25b4) - ![The poster for 'Aharya', a work-in-progress piece I presented at the AMI Arts Festival. This piece questions how audiences perceive dance and the role of costume and adornment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/41c5b3b0-c88d-47c9-90bc-ea3472c7c0f5) ## About Behind the Scenes: Process & Pedagogy Managing a production is less about the spotlight and more about the coordination behind it. For my recent international tour, I assembled a 15-person team, managed complex travel logistics, and directed rehearsals. It is rarely as glamorous as the stage lights suggest, but that rigorous preparation is exactly what makes a performance feel seamless. ### The Creative Workflow My work often begins with a question rather than a movement. Whether I am exploring themes like the climate crisis or Bengal's river culture, I spend months researching, composing, and collaborating with musicians. A show is not just dance, but a collective effort involving lighting technicians, costume designers, and fellow artists. ### Pedagogy & Workshops Beyond the main stage, teaching is a core part of my practice. I conduct Bharatanatyam workshops where the focus is on demystifying the art form. We look at the history, the abhinaya (expression), and the mathematical structures behind the tala (rhythm). My goal is to make the classical repertoire accessible to students of all levels, moving past mere imitation to true understanding. ### What to Expect When you book a production with me, you are engaging with a long-term process. For group shows, I handle the choreography, technical cues, and musical synchronization to ensure the narrative is clear. If you are looking for a performance that challenges traditional boundaries while remaining grounded in classical technique, I am always happy to discuss how we can adapt a performance for your venue and requirements. ## About Tanya Saxena I approach Bharatanatyam as a student first and a performer second. My work, whether solo or in a large ensemble, is an attempt to bridge classical technique with contemporary inquiry. I focus on storytelling and discipline, ensuring that every performance brings an authentic piece of our tradition to the stage. [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) - [Artistic Portraits & Thematic Photoshoots](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances/artistic-portraits-thematic-photoshoots) ## 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 - [Behind the Scenes of Bharatanatyam Choreography](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/the-creative-process-behind-the-scenes) by Indira Kadambi · Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography · Based in Jigani, Bengaluru; Travels across India for shows - [Behind the Curtain: The Creative Process of Bharatanatyam](https://mytribe.in/adithya.pv/bharatanatyam-choreography/the-creative-process-behind-the-curtain) by Adithya · Bharatanatyam Choreography · Studio in NRI Layout; Travels across Bengaluru & India - [Bharatanatyam Choreography & Rehearsal Process](https://mytribe.in/praveenkumardance/bharatanatyam-performances/the-journey-of-creation-rehearsals-workshops) by Praveen Kumar · Bharatanatyam Performances · Performs across Bengaluru & travels pan-India - [Behind the Art: My Bharatanatyam Journey and Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/shreyasigopinath/dance-performances-productions/behind-the-art-my-journey-process) by Shreyasi Gopinath · Dance Performances & Productions · Available for performances across Delhi NCR and India - [Behind the Scenes of Bharatanatyam Rehearsals](https://mytribe.in/chandrangeeta/bharatanatyam-performances/behind-the-scenes-the-practice-and-the-process) by Geeta Chandran · Bharatanatyam Performances · Available for performances across Delhi NCR and pan-India - [The Creative Process Behind My Choreography](https://mytribe.in/divthedancer/dance-choreography-services/the-creative-process-my-dance-journey) by Divya Hoskere · Dance Choreography Services · Studio at Kanakapura Road; Travels across India ## Book To book Tanya Saxena, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Tanya%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20the%20Behind%20the%20Scenes%20page%20and%20I%20would%20love%20to%20chat%20about%20booking%20a%20performance%20for%20my%20event.)