--- title: "The Scholarly Dancer: Research-Led Bharatanatyam Performances" description: "Discover research-led Bharatanatyam performances that integrate history and literature. Book a thematic dance production grounded in intellectual depth for your next event." canonical: https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/the-scholarly-dancer-research-in-motion last_updated: 2025-09-22 --- # The Scholarly Dancer: Research in Motion Tribe Verified · Performing artist with Sangeet Natak Akademi By [Tanya Saxena](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer) · Takes projects across Delhi NCR and pan-India · ₹45K per piece (5-7 mins) (estimate) Part of [Dance Production & Choreography](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/gallery) I view Bharatanatyam as a vessel for history and inquiry rather than just performance. If you are looking for thematic dance productions that integrate literature, history, and critical theory, let us create something intellectually resonant together. ## Photos and videos - ![A performance still inspired by a verse from the Kurunthokai, an ancient Sangam-era text. The cracked, desolate earth reflects the inner turmoil of the heroine, showing how I use landscape and historical poetry in my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/09e9043d-36fe-4957-978f-23b040363b81) - [Video: This exploration under a Banyan tree is a meditation on time and the history of Bharatanatyam. I often use my practice to grapple with questions of the past, its injustices, and our responsibility in the present.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/976f5880-f1e0-41ff-87dd-b4cf8b759076) - ![Celebrating Holi by recreating a pose from a Mughal miniature painting. This post is an example of my research into India's syncretic culture and how festivals and art forms have been shaped by historical exchanges.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/309f9e05-c289-47f1-8a9b-a40706ca51d6) - ![A photo that accompanied my reflections on the Natya Shastra. I constantly question the role of 'aharya' (costume and makeup) and whether it transforms us or is an extension of an identity we already possess.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2f7650d-afd2-40bb-b72f-43ec7d7d16c7) - ![An abstract shot from a photoshoot exploring the ideas of identity and aharya. My work is a continuous grind of reading, thinking, and finding ways to translate those ideas into movement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/218477e8-d1db-4e3e-83a8-2be7aeab7ba8) - ![Another perspective from the aharya series, focusing on the 'hasta' or hand gesture. Even without full costume, the identity of the dancer is present in the form.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b3dae23a-4122-4e24-9330-a61a2341f481) - ![The poster for my performance 'Aharya' at the AMI Arts Festival. This work-in-progress is a direct response to audience perceptions of dance, questioning how we 'look' at a performance and what we value.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/41c5b3b0-c88d-47c9-90bc-ea3472c7c0f5) - ![The poster for my ICCR Horizon Series solo performance. Performing at the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, a prestigious university for the arts, was a challenge and a delight, bringing my work to an audience of fellow musicians and dancers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d918d08f-bef8-4533-ad9d-eace5c0c3b99) - [Video: Beyond the stage, I engage in academic discourse. Here, I was invited by the National Institute of Disaster Management and Sangeet Natak Akademi to speak on using performing arts for climate action, sharing the research and process behind 'Ikshana'.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c6f6bc5e-44de-4ed3-a266-01439baa9efe) ## About The Scholarly Dancer: Research in Motion My research-based approach goes beyond choreography, focusing on scriptwriting, thematic development, and music curation that aligns with your specific event narrative. If you want a performance that challenges the audience while respecting the classical form, I begin every collaboration by mapping the intellectual core of your requirement. ### Dance as Active Inquiry Dance is often seen as a static performance, but I view it as an active inquiry. When you commission a project under this category, we do not just choose music and steps. We build a narrative foundation. ### The Research Process Whether you approach me with a specific literary theme or a vague concept about identity or social change, my first step is archival and academic research. I dive into ancient texts, such as Sangam poetry or the Natya Shastra, and cross-reference them with modern sociopolitical contexts. ### Beyond the Traditional Repertoire For clients interested in more than standard performance pieces, this research-driven method allows us to create productions that engage the intellect. * **Thematic Scripting:** We develop a cohesive story arc before a single step is choreographed. * **Multidisciplinary Integration:** My work often bridges Bharatanatyam with theatre, live western classical music, or spoken word poetry, depending on the story we need to tell. * **Visual Storytelling:** As seen in my 'Aharya' or 'Ikshana' productions, the costume, makeup, and stage design are curated to reinforce the academic thesis of the performance. This service is ideal for cultural festivals, institutional events, or private gatherings that seek a thought-provoking experience rather than mere entertainment. We can work together to translate abstract ideas into a structured, moving, and meaningful production. ## About Tanya Saxena I am an eternal student of the arts, viewing Bharatanatyam as a vessel for history and inquiry rather than just performance. Whether I am exploring ancient Sangam poetry or modern climate concerns, I approach every project with the rigor of a researcher and the heart of a storyteller. [See all of Tanya Saxena's services](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer) ## More from Dance Production & Choreography by Tanya Saxena - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/featured) - [Ikshana: Dance for Climate Action](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/ikshana-dance-for-climate-action) - [Pehchaan: Exploring Identity Through Art](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/pehchaan-exploring-identity-through-art) - [Cultural Fusions & Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/cultural-fusions-collaborations) - [The Creation of a Goddess: A Photographic Narrative](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/the-creation-of-a-goddess-a-photographic-narrative) - [Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/dance-production-choreography/behind-the-scenes-the-creative-process) ## More services by Tanya Saxena - [Bharatanatyam Performances](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/bharatanatyam-performances) - [Classical Dance Education](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/classical-dance-education) ## Similar work from other experts - [Featured Bharatanatyam Productions and Classical Repertoire](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/featured) by Himanshu Srivastava · Bharatanatyam Dance Performances · Based in Delhi NCR; performs across India - [Thematic Bharatanatyam Dance Productions](https://mytribe.in/praveenkumardance/bharatanatyam-choreography/thematic-dance-productions) by Praveen Kumar · Bharatanatyam Choreography · Studio in Basavanagudi; Travels across India for projects - [Thematic & Mythological Bharatanatyam Performances](https://mytribe.in/shreema_upadhyaya/live-dance-performances/the-storyteller-thematic-mythological-dance) by Shreema Upadhyaya · Live Dance Performances · Performs in Bengaluru, Chennai & across India - [Thematic Bharatanatyam Group Productions](https://mytribe.in/chandrangeeta/bharatanatyam-performances/thematic-productions) by Geeta Chandran · Bharatanatyam Performances · Available for performances across Delhi NCR and pan-India - [Cultural Narratives and Thematic Bharatanatyam Productions](https://mytribe.in/jayalakshmi.eshwar/bharatanatyam-performances/cultural-narratives-weaving-stories-through-dance) by Jayalakshmi Eshwar · Bharatanatyam Performances · Performs across India; Based at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi - [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%20was%20looking%20at%20your%20'Scholarly%20Dancer'%20research%20projects%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20a%20concept%20I%20have%20in%20mind%20for%20an%20upcoming%20event.)