Stories of Gods & Devotees in Bharatanatyam
Beyond the tales of Krishna, my repertoire brings the emotional landscape of Lord Shiva, the unwavering faith of Meerabai, and the strength of Sita to life through expressive abhinaya and rhythmic nritta.
A vibrant Shiva Stuti, a dance in praise of Lord Shiva. This piece, choreographed by my guru, is full of energetic nritta and showcases the powerful and dynamic aspects of Bharatanatyam.
As we awaited the arrival of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, I was reminded of the stories my mother told me. This is a small dance offering to Sri Ramachandra, the embodiment of Dharma.
Exploring the 'shringara' between Rama and Sita from the Ramayana. This excerpt portrays Sita reliving the moment Rama effortlessly lifted the divine bow at her svayamvara, a story of love and strength.
This piece portrays the unwavering faith of Meerabai. When sent a snake instead of a garland, her blind love for Krishna transforms it, showing that faith is the only way to be free of suffering.
A moment of complete surrender, bowing down to the divine soul of Meerabai. Portraying such great devotees on stage is a humbling and deeply spiritual experience for me.
A glimpse into a production based on the life of the great composer Tyagaraja. Here, I am portraying a devotee in the court, experiencing the divine presence of the saint.
About this collection
These performances rely entirely on a live Carnatic orchestra, which is the heart of the experience. Because I have a vocalist, mridangam player, and violinist right there on stage, we can improvise and shift the intensity based on the audience energy, ensuring no two shows are ever identical.
My dance practice is deeply rooted in the Natyashastra, and these stories are how I share that research with the world. Whether it is the powerful Shiva Stuti, which focuses on energetic footwork and dynamic poses, or the devotional surrender of Meerabai, each piece is a blend of technical precision and emotional storytelling.
The Repertoire
I structure these performances to balance two main elements:
- Abhinaya: The art of emotional expression. This is where I portray the internal world of characters like Sita or the saint-poet Tyagaraja, helping the audience connect with the humanity of these figures.
- Nritta: Pure, rhythmic movement. This brings the excitement and physical discipline of Bharatanatyam to the forefront, particularly in items like Shiva Stuti.
Why This Works for Events
These stories resonate because they are about universal human emotions: devotion, resilience, longing, and strength. They work beautifully for cultural festivals, corporate events that want a touch of Indian heritage, or private gatherings where you want to foster a sense of contemplation.
What to Expect
- Live Music: I perform with a 4 to 5-piece live ensemble (vocal, nattuvangam, mridangam, flute/violin). This creates an acoustic richness that recorded music cannot replicate.
- Visuals: I use traditional temple jewelry and high-grade Kanjeevaram silks, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of classical dance.
- Spoken Context: To ensure everyone feels included, I often provide brief, spoken word introductions in English or Kannada to explain the context of the poetry and verses, making the experience accessible to those new to classical art.
Divya Hoskere
I am Divya, and for me, dance is family, faith, and stories. Amma's tales of the Ramayana and the guidance of my guru, Praveen Kumar sir, have shaped the way I present these sacred narratives on stage. I see my performance not as a show, but as an offering of bhakti.
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