Tribe Verified

Cultural Narratives and Thematic Bharatanatyam Productions

byJayalakshmi EshwarPerforms across India; Based at Triveni Kala Sangam, New DelhiStarts from85,000 Per PerformanceView full gallery

Step into an immersive experience where Indian mythology and textile heritage meet traditional Bharatanatyam. My troupe and I create thematic performances that weave stories from our past with contemporary movement.

The official poster for 'Mix & Match: Mishranam evang Melanam', a multimedia dance production celebrating the textiles and sarees of India. The concept was to bridge traditions, mythology, and the craft of our weavers through dance.

Here I am performing a segment from 'Mix & Match', showcasing a traditional handwoven saree. The production was a journey across India, told through its iconic textiles and the stories they hold.

My students performing a sequence from 'Mix & Match' at the Triveni Kala Sangam Amphitheatre. The use of fabric as a prop is central to this production, creating dynamic visual patterns on stage.

A synchronized group formation from 'Mix & Match'. The dancers are wearing the iconic white and red-bordered sarees of Bengal, used here to create a sense of unity and grace.

This video montage from 'Mix & Match' highlights the variety of sarees featured from all 28 states of India. You can see glimpses of textiles from Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, each brought to life through dance.

A scene from 'Mix & Match' where my students depict the process of weaving. We used bamboo poles and the dancers' movements to simulate the workings of a loom, paying tribute to the artisans' skill.

A dynamic visual from 'Mix & Match', showcasing the vibrant choreography and costumes. This production combined the precision of Bharatanatyam with the flowing energy of folk traditions.

A collage showing two distinct moments from a grand production. The top half shows the colorful pageantry of our textile-themed show, while the bottom half depicts a powerful mythological scene.

The poster for our production 'Akhandalaya: The Unvanquished Rhythm'. This performance, presented during the Margazhi Mahotsav in Chennai, was an exploration of the eternal and powerful nature of rhythm in dance.

A dramatic moment from 'Akhandalaya', where I stand at the center of intersecting beams of light. The lighting design was crucial in this production to create a sense of cosmic energy and power.

About Cultural Narratives: Weaving Stories Through Dance

In my production 'Mix & Match,' we do not just dance; we honor the weavers of Bharat. We use actual handwoven sarees as central props rather than just costumes, incorporating the rhythmic motions of the loom into our choreography. It is a physical conversation between the dancer and the craft, requiring precise coordination to manipulate the fabric while maintaining the strict adavus of Bharatanatyam.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe