Ikshana: Climate Change through Bharatanatyam
A dance-drama that moves beyond entertainment to explore the climate crisis through the precise geometry and expressive storytelling of Bharatanatyam.
The official promo for 'Ikshana', a dance drama that narrates the story of climate change. The video captures the expressive range of the performance, from depicting nature's beauty to the anguish of its destruction.
A scene from 'Ikshana' where we use group choreography to represent the interconnectedness of our ecosystem. This production was a journey of intense collaboration and brainstorming with a wonderful team of dancers.
This poignant tableau from 'Ikshana' depicts humanity's relationship with Mother Earth. One dancer, isolated, represents the planet's suffering, while the group embodies the collective that depends on her.
A formation from 'Ikshana' creating a visual metaphor through Bharatanatyam. The use of levels and symmetry in this group choreography helps tell a complex story about our environment on stage.
A close-up on the expressive storytelling, or 'abhinaya', within 'Ikshana'. Here, we convey the narrative of loss and consequence, using facial expressions and gestures central to Indian classical dance.
A behind the scenes look at the rehearsal process for 'Ikshana'. This clip shows the dedication and emotion that goes into preparing for a thematic dance drama about saving Mother Earth.
An artist spotlight created for the 'Ikshana' tour. It was an honor to lead this project and work with such a talented team to bring this important conversation to the stage.
The official poster for the multi-city tour of 'Ikshana', a new perspective on climate change through Bharatanatyam. We performed in Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi.
An announcement for our premiere performance of 'Ikshana' in Pune. The artwork beautifully captures the essence of the show, weaving together nature, industry, and the dancer as a witness.
It was a wonderful feeling to see this 'Houseful' announcement for our show in Pune. The audience's response to our artistic exploration of climate change was truly heartening.
About Ikshana: A Bharatanatyam Perspective on Climate Change
I do not just put on a show. I choreograph a conversation. For Ikshana, we do not rely on flashy sets because the point is to use the Bharatanatyam idiom to show how our environment is connected to our daily lives. If you are hosting a large event or conference, keep in mind this is an ensemble performance that requires a 45-minute technical sound check, not a background act.
The word 'Ikshana' translates to perception or the act of seeing. This production was born from a desire to address the climate crisis not through data, but through the human experience.
Why this production works
We move away from standard repertoire to address specific themes: the scientific, humanitarian, and psychological facets of our changing environment. My team and I blend traditional Bharatanatyam vocabulary with contemporary narrative structures. We use group formations to represent the interconnectedness of our ecosystem, and we rely on 'Abhinaya' (expressive storytelling) to depict the human impact on nature.
Technical Requirements for Hosts
This is not a plug-and-play performance.
- Space: We require a clean stage area to accommodate a 5-dancer ensemble.
- Sound: We work with studio-mastered synchronized audio tracks. A dedicated sound check of at least 45 minutes is mandatory to ensure the narrative's audio clarity is maintained.
- Lighting: We provide a standard lighting cue sheet which requires basic stage focus and wash capability.
Where we perform
While this production has toured major venues from Pune to Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi, it is adaptable for corporate events, university festivals, and cultural summits. We don't just dance; we engage with the audience on why this matters. If your event aims to spark conversation or encourage reflection, this thematic production provides a substantive framework to do so.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
61
Thematic Bharatanatyam Dance Productions
13
The Wheel of Choices: Epic Bharatanatyam Dance Drama
Thematic Bharatanatyam Group Productions
Thematic Bharatanatyam Productions
8
Grand Indian Classical Dance Productions & Choreography
Thematic Bharatanatyam Solo Productions
Looking for a different kind of performance?
Explore other thematic dance productions or classical dance recitals.
More from Bharatanatyam Performances by Tanya Saxena
More services by Tanya Saxena