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Pehchaan: Bharatanatyam Performances Exploring Identity

byTanya SaxenaTakes projects across Delhi NCR and pan-IndiaStarts from45,000 per piece (5-7 mins)View full gallery

Pehchaan is where my identity meets my art. It is a thoughtful exploration of the dancer and the individual, using Bharatanatyam to ask questions that traditional performance often leaves unanswered.

A clip from my solo performance 'Pehchaan', which explores the theme of identity in art. The choreography is set to original Hindi poetry, showcasing my interest in creating new lyrical works for the Bharatanatyam repertoire.

A moment of contemplation from 'Pehchaan'. My solo work often grapples with the idea that art is not just something I do, but something that gives me purpose and shapes my identity.

This image captures a moment of imbalance, reflecting the internal struggle between comfort and growth as an artist. 'Pehchaan' was an exploration of these very moments of vulnerability and strength.

A joyful pose from 'Pehchaan'. The performance chronicles the journey of an artist, from surrendering to the form to finding a unique voice within it.

An expressive moment from 'Pehchaan', where I use abhinaya to convey the internal symphony of an artist's soul. The lighting design is crucial in my productions to enhance the emotional landscape of the performance.

This promotional video for 'Pehchaan' uses the metaphor of the Ship of Theseus to question the nature of identity. It reflects the philosophical inquiry that forms the foundation of my conceptual work.

The process of 'becoming' the dancer, or aharya, is a central theme in 'Pehchaan'. This video explores how the act of getting ready for a performance is a transformation in itself.

In this video, I discuss the concept of 'Surrender' in 'Pehchaan'. I explore how an artist must first surrender to the form before they can reconcile their personal identity with their artistic one.

This clip explains the feeling of 'Displacement' that I explore in 'Pehchaan'. It questions how a modern artist navigates the timeless, idealized world of the classical Nayika, or heroine.

Here, I talk about 'Acceptance' as the final stage in the journey of 'Pehchaan'. It's about finding and embracing my own unique voice within the tradition of Bharatanatyam.

About Pehchaan: Exploring Identity Through Art

When I perform 'Pehchaan,' I often think of the Ship of Theseus—if you replace every part of the ship over time, is it still the same vessel? That is how I view dance. In every piece, I am constantly questioning how much of my true self I bring to the stage and how much I transform to become the character. It is not just about executing the steps; it is about finding the vulnerability and honesty in that transformation.

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