Devotional Classical Dance & Storytelling Performances
I believe dance is a spiritual bridge, a way to inhabit the timeless stories of our traditions. Here are moments where music, movement, and devotion blend to bring the tales of Krishna, Shiva, and Meera to life.
In this choreography, I explore the pure devotion of Meera for Krishna. We use a beautiful juxtaposition of actions, showing Meera's offerings of love and Krishna receiving them, a concept that applies to the devotion in all our lives.
Lifting the Govardhan mountain was Krishna's way of uplifting the needy and protecting his people. This story comes alive in our 'Goverdhan Leela' production, a powerful tale of faith and divine protection that we perform with our stunning dancers.
The 'Tribhangi' or three-deflection posture of Krishna is iconic in Indian art and sculpture. In this piece, I decode the beauty and grace of this posture through minimal yet expressive movements, capturing the divine playfulness of the Lord.
I am so proud of our senior Kathak dancers for presenting this Shiva Sthuthi with such clarity, strength, and love. It is a joy to see them perform this powerful composition, bringing the energy of Lord Shiva to the stage.
When a Gopika comes to complain to mother Yashoda about Krishna's mischief, she can't stop giggling. This piece of abhinaya is a playful exploration of the divine mischief of Krishna and the affectionate exasperation of the Gopikas.
The Rasalila is always an elevating experience, a celebration of divine love between Krishna and the Gopis. Performing this piece on the eve of Vaikunta Ekadasi, we feel ever grateful for the gift of celebrating the Lord through dance.
We were thrilled to premiere our 'Goverdhan Leela' production at the ISKCON Temple in Bangalore. It is always a special blessing to perform for devotees of Lord Krishna and celebrate his glorious life through dance.
Our senior dancers are seen here beautifying the beautiful Krishna through a piece from Krishna Karnamrutham. It is a joy to present these devotional works, blending Kathak and Bharathanatyam to tell the stories of Hari and Hara.
Rehearsals for our 'Goverdhan Leela' production are filled with energy and devotion. Here, our dancers work together to bring the story of Krishna lifting the mountain to life, a tale of collective faith and divine grace.
Performing at the ISKCON temple for the Silver Jubilee Brahmotsava was a blissful experience. Sharing our art in such a sacred space, surrounded by devotees, fills us with immense gratitude and happiness.
About Devotional Storytelling & Performances
We believe the soul of a devotional performance lies in the preparation, not just the final steps. For every production, we collaborate with literary scholars to select authentic lyrics and work with musicians to create original scores using live instrumentation, ensuring our Abhinaya (expression) lands with the emotional depth the story requires.
Bringing Epics to Life
Our approach to devotional dance goes beyond performing steps. It is about understanding the Rasa (aesthetic delight) of the story. Whether we are portraying the playful mischief of Krishna, the deep devotion of Meera, or the powerful energy of Shiva, we focus on the narrative arc.
We structure our productions—like our recent work on Goverdhan Leela or Krishnaa—to function as full theatrical experiences. This involves:
- Research & Lyrics: Working with scholars to select authentic Sanskrit or Kannada poetry that anchors the movement in tradition.
- Original Audio: Moving away from pre-recorded tracks, we often collaborate with composers like Praveen D Rao to create fresh, resonant soundscapes.
- Theatricality: We use stagecraft, lighting cues, and formations to ensure that whether we are performing in a temple setting like ISKCON or a large auditorium, the story remains intimate and accessible to the audience.
Where We Perform
Our commitment to Nritya Seva (service through dance) takes us to diverse spaces. From large-scale temple celebrations like the Silver Jubilee Brahmotsava in Bangalore to intimate cultural festivals, we adapt our choreography to the energy of the venue. We believe the sacred atmosphere of a temple adds a layer of depth to the dancers' expression, creating a unique connection with the audience that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
If you are planning an event, festival, or a special celebration, we welcome the opportunity to craft a performance that honors these stories with the respect and artistry they deserve.
Nirupama Rajendra
For us at Abhinava, dance is a thirty-year conversation between tradition and the divine. We do not just perform; we live the epics, pouring the lessons from our Gurus into every gesture to share the beauty of our heritage.
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