---
title: "Shikhandi: The Inner Quest – Thematic Bharatanatyam by Himanshu"
description: "Book Dr. Himanshu Srivastava's Shikhandi, a thematic Bharatanatyam production. Explore this research-backed dance-theatre show on gender, identity, and mythology."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/shikhandi-the-inner-quest
last_updated: 2025-09-22
---

# Shikhandi: The Inner Quest – A Thematic Bharatanatyam Production

Tribe Verified · Over 100 shows performed across India.

By [Himanshu Srivastava](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa) · Based in Delhi NCR; performs across India · ₹45K per performance (estimate)

Part of [Bharatanatyam Dance Performances](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/gallery)

A research-backed 75-90 minute dance-theatre production exploring gender identity, sacrifice, and resilience through the epic lens of the Mahabharata.

## Photos and videos

- ![A press clipping from my performance in Chennai. The article discusses the fusion of different Bharatanatyam forms, highlighting my production "Shikhandi" as part of the festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d46f4176-305a-410d-92bc-b95b9773d578)
- ![This article from DT Next covers the Bandish Arts festival in Chennai, where I presented "Shikhandi." It's always rewarding to see the media engage with the deeper themes of my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d801477e-a007-4c8f-b1da-946831b26ef1)
- [Video: An invitation to the Bandish Arts festival in Chennai. I was delighted to present "Shikhandi: The Inner Quest," a production curated beautifully by Swati Athmanathan and Santanu Roy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1171a362-7b1b-495c-9a85-cd2cbb7b9efd)
- [Video: Presenting "Shikhandi" in Chennai. This is a riveting story of a great warrior that transcends body and gender, forcing us to look at our own society and the stories of "the man in the woman and the woman in the man."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ed87a51d-c511-4b96-94b0-9ce6b8f8a0a1)
- ![A promotional poster for "Shikhandi" at the Bandish Arts festival. The description captures the essence of the production: a tale of courage, hope, despair, revenge, and self-acceptance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/46741b1d-868e-4c38-a089-21a8629dacd5)
- ![Another poster for my performance of "Shikhandi" in Chennai. This production is very dear to me, and I am always honored to share its special message with audiences.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6db1d683-5151-4aee-931f-b40b2f196fb2)
- ![It was an honor to be invited to present "Shikhandi" at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in Delhi. Bringing this story to a department of Liberal Arts sparks important conversations about dance, philosophy, and history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ca510922-033f-40ba-9109-5def5c490687)
- ![A powerful moment from "SHIKHANDI - the inner quest," captured during a World Dance Day celebration. The performance was met with a standing ovation, a moment of deep connection with the audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8517ab94-dc5d-4052-977d-6061b4981821)
- ![Blowing the conch shell to signal the start of the battle. This moment from "Shikhandi" is filled with determination and the weight of a destiny forged through many lives.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d29ea2e-9496-425a-8147-6601c2197a88)
- ![A stance of readiness and resolve from "Shikhandi." The character's journey is one of immense strength, and I try to convey that power in every movement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf8e3481-50f9-4c1a-b523-3aed6717ca57)
- ![The grace and power of Bharatanatyam come together in this moment from "Shikhandi." It is a story that requires both masculine and feminine energies to be told truthfully.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c44148d0-09b8-4e6e-85b4-e72686ff5db2)
- ![This poster for the World Dance Day Celebration in Trichy highlights my production "Shikhandi." The quote from The Hindu, noting that the solo "achieved epic proportions without being loud or imposing," is something I deeply cherish.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7452a29e-ad53-4e5d-ad86-cdadcb386582)
- ![Performing "Shikhandi" at the Delhi Literature Festival, moderated by the veteran artist Dr. Rama Pandey. It was a blessing to present this work in such a prestigious forum.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7439f253-9439-48c2-8fae-2266386ae048)
- ![A wide shot of the performance at the Delhi Literature Festival. Performing in an open-air amphitheater creates a unique connection with the audience, and I am grateful for their warm reception on a chilly Delhi afternoon.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/62ddc64d-f38f-4924-b033-597191449d3d)
- ![An invitation to the Delhi Literature Festival, where "Shikhandi" was approaching its 100th show. Each performance of this production is a memoir, and I am filled with gratitude for the journey.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/116e5a55-119b-4391-930d-6506f1d32806)
- ![I was pleased to be a speaker and performer at the COLLECTIVE educators' conclave in Delhi. I presented "Shikhandi" as a medium for "embedded education," a way of learning through art and storytelling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/89afa11d-1502-4831-bcff-b27bc2094659)
- ![A moment from my performance of "Shikhandi." This production is not just a story but a tool for education, sparking discussions on identity, society, and our shared history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/18e2ba7a-b869-43aa-84a5-fa7449fbfd0c)
- [Video: Gearing up for a performance of "Shikhandi" in Chennai. The process of getting into character, both physically and mentally, is a crucial part of my preparation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0dd41091-baad-4ed5-a1c5-e9dd5db0213a)
- ![Announcing the 51st show of "Shikhandi" in Bangalore. It was a special milestone, and I was grateful to the Shambhavi School of Dance for inviting me to be part of their Celebrate Dance Series.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/73214bc8-bf23-4e68-8140-fc89522e3e92)
- [Video: This production has marked its 50th show, and my gratitude flows for everyone who has been a part of this pledge. "Shikhandi" is a journey of fury, love, and war, and I am thankful to the community that helped me build this character.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fc72d517-c62f-4f3f-83ae-68ff4c63af02)

## About Shikhandi: The Inner Quest

My production of *Shikhandi* is a 75-90 minute dance-theatre experience that demands more than just technical precision. It requires a 5-piece live orchestra—comprising a Vocalist, Mridangam, Violin or Flute, Veena, and Nattuvangam—to truly bring the mythological narrative to life. This is not a standard recital; it is a research-backed dialogue on identity, crafted for audiences who seek intellectual and emotional depth beyond the traditional stage.

### A Narrative Built on Research
Every movement in *Shikhandi: The Inner Quest* is the result of years of inquiry into ancient texts and shastras. Unlike traditional Bharatanatyam performances that focus purely on the Margam repertoire, this production functions as a lecture-performance hybrid. It delves into the story of a warrior who transcends body and gender, challenging the audience to introspect on the 'man in the woman and the woman in the man.' 

### Technical and Logistical Requirements
To maintain the integrity of the performance, I do not perform this production on recorded tracks. The live musical ensemble is critical to the 'jugalbandi' between movement and sound. As this is a theatrical production, it requires:
*   **Dedicated Lighting:** A technical script involving spotlights and specific shadow cues to emphasize the narrative shifts.
*   **Custom Production:** Specialized character makeup, tribal-influenced costumes, and specific props are managed by my team to ensure the aesthetic remains grounded in the period of the epic.

### Where This Fits
I have performed *Shikhandi* across India, from the amphitheaters of Delhi University to specialized arts festivals in Chennai and Bangalore. It is ideally suited for:
*   **Literary and Cultural Festivals:** Where the narrative depth resonates with academic audiences.
*   **University and Liberal Arts Forums:** Providing a bridge between performance art and sociological discussion.
*   **Private and Public Theatres:** Where a controlled lighting and sound environment is available.

Whether you are hosting an event in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, or Chennai, I ensure the production is tailored to the venue's capacity while keeping the core narrative of courage and self-acceptance intact.

## About Himanshu Srivastava

For me, dance is a form of scholarship. I do not just present a sequence of steps; I deconstruct the epics to ask uncomfortable questions about societal norms, whether I am performing in a university amphitheater or a cultural festival.

[See all of Himanshu Srivastava's services](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa)

## More from Bharatanatyam Dance Performances by Himanshu Srivastava

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/featured)
- [The Abandoned Gopi: The Legend of Gopishwar Shiv](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/the-abandoned-gopi-the-legend-of-gopishwar-shiv)
- [Un-Eklavya: The Riddle of the Thumb](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/un-eklavya-the-riddle-of-the-thumb)
- [Margam & Classical Repertoire](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/margam-classical-repertoire)
- [Collaborative Works & Dance Theatre](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/collaborative-works-dance-theatre)
- [The Creative Process: From Research to Rehearsal](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/the-creative-process-from-research-to-rehearsal)
- [Workshops, Lec-Dems & Educational Outreach](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/workshops-lec-dems-educational-outreach)
- [Press, Reviews & Audience Acclaim](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/press-reviews-audience-acclaim)
- [Inspirations: Temples, Texts & Travels](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/inspirations-temples-texts-travels)

## More services by Himanshu Srivastava

- [Fine Art & Painting Services](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/fine-art-painting-services)
- [Educational Workshops & Lectures](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/educational-workshops-lectures)

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## Book

To book Himanshu Srivastava, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaste%20Himanshu%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20booking%20the%20'Shikhandi'%20production%20for%20an%20event%20in%20%5BCity%5D.%20Could%20you%20please%20share%20your%20availability%20and%20technical%20requirements%3F)