Featured Performances and Artistic Collaborations
A look at the different stages I have called home, from living rooms and black box theatres to iconic festivals. Here is a selection of the music, storytelling, and cross-cultural projects that define my work.
Performing at the historic Mysore Palace is always a profound honour. Sharing the stage with such wonderful artists against a backdrop of incredible heritage creates a magic that I cherish deeply.
A powerful moment from 'The Vanishing Elephant', a theatrical production I was privileged to be a part of. This show, which made it to Broadway, blended puppetry, music, and storytelling to explore the rights of all living beings.
Performing "Prayer To The Cloud" live with the brilliant German cellist Andi Otto. Our collaboration blends my Kannada vocals with his unique sensor-extended cello, creating a sound that is both rooted in tradition and experimentally modern.
Lost in the music at the Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava. This black and white photograph captures the pure joy and connection I feel when I perform, a moment where everything else fades away except the song.
This is from 'Desdemona Roopakam', a chamber opera that combines Hindustani, Carnatic, and Folk music. We often perform it in intimate settings like this Home Kutcheri, making the powerful story feel personal and immediate.
Singing the timeless Bhavageethe 'Kaanada Kadalige' at the Ballari Utsav in front of a sea of over one lakh people. It is a humbling experience to feel the collective energy of so many people connected by a single song.
A quiet moment at home, singing Gopalakrishna Adiga’s celebrated poem 'Yaava Mohana'. These informal sessions are my way of staying connected to the poetry and music that form the foundation of my art.
About Featured
Whether I am performing for an audience of one lakh at the Ballari Utsav or in an intimate living room during a Home Kacheri, the core remains the same: genuine connection. Every stage, from the Mysore Palace to a New York theatre, requires a different energy, and my approach is always to tailor the sound and the narrative to fit that specific space and the people in the room.
My work is defined by what I call sangama, a confluence of people, ideas, and musical styles. It is rarely about a single performance. Instead, it is about creating a dialogue between the old and the new. You will see this in projects like my collaboration with German cellist Andi Otto, where we blend ancient Kannada vocals with sensor-extended electronic cello. This is not just music; it is an experiment in how traditional poetry like Bhavageethe can resonate with modern global sounds.
Beyond music, my practice extends into experimental theatre. Works like 'The Vanishing Elephant' or 'Desdemona Roopakam' are not traditional plays. They are multi-sensory experiences that weave together puppetry, lighting design, and narrative in ways that challenge both the performer and the audience. I believe that a story needs the right vessel, whether that is a full orchestral setup for a wedding of 500+ guests or a quiet corner in a home where we can strip away the microphones and just share a song.
Technically, these productions vary in their requirements. A large-scale concert involves a 5 to 7 piece band, dedicated sound engineers, and precise rehearsals to ensure the folk rhythms and classical melodies land perfectly. Conversely, my intimate theatre productions often require black box settings and specialized lighting teams to focus on the nuances of the performance. If you are planning an event, understanding the scale of your venue is the first step in deciding which of these formats suits you. I am always happy to discuss how we can adapt a performance to your specific space, ensuring that the art remains authentic and alive.
Pallavi MD
I’m Pallavi. I don’t just perform; I tell stories through singing, acting, and directing. My work is a constant conversation between old poetry and new sounds, and I always bring a team of brilliant artists along for the journey.
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