Ikshana: Climate-Conscious Bharatanatyam Productions
A multi-city dance production that uses the geometry of Bharatanatyam to explore the climate crisis, blending scientific inquiry with classical storytelling.
The official promo for 'Ikshana', a Bharatanatyam dance drama that narrates the story of climate change. The production examines the crisis from scientific, humanitarian, and psychological perspectives, showing how dance can be a powerful medium for social awareness.
A dynamic scene from the 'Ikshana' stage performance. This highlights the ensemble choreography, where each dancer contributes to a larger, unfolding story about our planet's struggle and resilience.
A close-up from 'Ikshana' depicting a moment of narrative tension. My choreography focuses on using detailed abhinaya and character interaction to convey complex emotional arcs within the larger theme of environmental consciousness.
This tableau from 'Ikshana' represents the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Creating such formations is a key part of my choreographic process for group productions, aiming for visual impact and narrative clarity.
A powerful formation from 'Ikshana' showcasing the use of symmetry and levels in my ensemble choreography. The lighting and composition are integral to the storytelling, creating a distinct mood for each segment of the production.
A behind the scenes interview where I answer key questions about 'Ikshana'. I explain the concept, the tour details, and my vision for making the performance accessible to a wide audience, reflecting my commitment to art for social impact.
As the Artistic Director, I explain the intellectual framework of 'Ikshana'. The production uses Bharatanatyam and folk influences to explore the economic, social, and environmental facets of the climate crisis.
About this collection
Creating 'Ikshana' required me to rethink how 'Abhinaya' could represent abstract concepts like melting glaciers or rising sea levels. It was not just about the choreography; it was a deep dive into environmental data, which we then translated into the precise, emotive movements of Bharatanatyam.
The production of 'Ikshana' serves as the blueprint for how I approach large-scale, thematic commissions. It moves beyond standard performance to combine academic research, original musical scores, and ensemble training. For this project, I collaborated with writers, musicians, and environmental researchers to ensure that the narrative remained grounded in scientific reality while retaining the aesthetic integrity of a traditional dance drama.
We utilize a multidisciplinary approach for these productions. This includes developing a complete storyboard, composing original soundtracks, and training ensemble dancers to maintain specific spatial formations that represent the interconnectedness of human activity and the natural world. From a technical standpoint, managing a touring production of this scale involves detailed lighting plans, stage spacing, and sound design that I oversee personally to ensure the vision translates across different venue types, whether at the Chinmaya Mission in Delhi or open-air settings. If you are looking to commission a dance production that blends rigorous intellectual research with classical form, this is the methodology I bring to the table.
Tanya Saxena
I approach dance as a form of academic inquiry, always looking to bridge history with the questions we face today. Whether I am investigating the climate crisis or exploring identity, my work is rooted in rigorous research and collaborative storytelling. I am just as likely to be found buried in books as I am performing on stage.
Looking for dance choreography or productions?
Browse through other dance services and performance styles.
More from Dance Production & Choreography by Tanya Saxena
More services by Tanya Saxena