Behind the scenes of my dance journey
Dance isn't always about polished perfection. Sometimes, it is just a raw, quiet moment of connection between the music, the camera, and me.
A close-up shot from my 'Tere Bin' Kathak fusion video shoot. So much of the storytelling in Indian classical dance comes from the expression, or *abhinaya*.
Taking a moment to rest between takes during a video shoot. The final video is just a small part of the whole creative process.
A silhouette pose against the window from my 'Tere Bin' fusion shoot. I love playing with light and shadow to create different moods in my dance pieces.
A happy, spontaneous moment from my 'Butter' collaboration with tabla artist Shobhit Banwait. You can see the joy and creative energy we shared during this session.
A still from a studio performance in New York. This pose captures the feeling of faith and openness that we wanted to convey in the piece.
Another still from my duet to 'Mai Ne Men'. This image shows the connection and shared joy between two dancers, which is what makes collaborations so special.
A behind the scenes photo from a recent dance video project. It's always lovely to find beautiful, quiet spots to sit and reflect between shots.
Another detailed shot capturing the mood and traditional jewelry from a Kathak fusion performance. Every detail contributes to the final story.
A full-length pose from the 'Tere Bin' shoot, showcasing the graceful lines of Kathak against a beautiful architectural backdrop.
About Behind The Scenes
People usually see the final performance, but these moments capture the reality of my process—the hours of lighting checks, the spontaneous laughter with collaborators, and the vulnerability of dancing in empty studios. I believe dance is a conversation, and the time spent setting the scene is just as vital to the storytelling as the final footwork itself.
When I film a piece, whether it is a Kathak fusion number or a collaboration with a tabla artist, I am not just thinking about steps. I am thinking about how to suljha (untangle) the emotions I am currently carrying. Dance is, for me, a way to process life.
My Creative Process
- The Story: I don't start with technique; I start with how a track makes me feel. For my 'Mai Ne Men' piece, it wasn't about the perfect angle. It was about capturing that specific feeling of isolation and faith I experienced while moving to New York.
- The Collaboration: Working with artists like Shobhit Banwait is pure joy because there is no pressure to be perfect. We respond to the music, not the choreography, which keeps the energy authentic.
- The Space: Lighting and location matter to me. You will often see me experimenting with window light or architectural spaces to find a mood that matches the song.
If you are interested in creating your own performance piece, we will spend time discussing the abhinaya (expression) so it feels personal to you, not like a copied routine. I love bringing these behind-the-scenes details into my private lessons, teaching you how to treat every routine as your own unique piece of storytelling.
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