Naga Mandala: An Intense Theatrical Bharatanatyam Production
A stark, moody exploration of storytelling through dance. Naga Mandala pushes the boundaries of traditional Bharatanatyam with cinematic lighting and raw emotional depth.
A moment from 'Naga Mandala' where light is used as a narrative tool. The single beam of light on the hands creates a focal point of intense drama.
A clip from the 'Naga Mandala' unplugged performance at the Punyah Dance Festival. The use of smoke and minimal lighting creates a raw and powerful atmosphere.
A black and white shot from 'Naga Mandala' that captures the stark, dramatic lighting we use. The interplay of light and shadow is central to this production's aesthetic.
An intimate and powerful moment from 'Naga Mandala'. This black and white photo highlights the raw emotion and physical storytelling of the piece.
A motion-blur photograph from 'Naga Mandala' that conveys a sense of turmoil and intensity. The expressive face of the dancer is the center of the storm.
A scene from 'Naga Mandala' where the dancers' hands are illuminated by a single flame. This symbolizes the central themes of the story.
A black and white portrait of me during 'Naga Mandala'. The focused light and shadow create a sense of introspection and power.
About this collection
This isn't just dance, it's a theatre production. Because we rely heavily on specific lighting plots and shadow play to build the atmosphere, we require a professional proscenium stage with a solid light and sound rig to get the Naga Mandala aesthetic right.
Naga Mandala is one of my most ambitious works. It moves away from the typical presentation of classical dance and dives into the shadows. We use minimal, stark lighting to guide the audience’s eye, letting the dancers’ silhouettes and expressions do the heavy lifting.
The Punyah Dance Company brings this to life with a full ensemble of 8 to 12 performers. It is a synchronized effort. You won't just see solos, you will see intricate group formations that shift and evolve, much like the changing narrative of the story itself.
For event organizers, please note this is a large-scale setup. It requires a proper theatre or auditorium space to manage the cues for our lighting designer and the positioning of our 6-piece live music ensemble. It is an intense, visceral experience. If your event space allows for total darkness, that is where we shine brightest.
Parshwanath Upadhye
I'm Parshwanath, and I don't just choreograph, I build worlds. My company and I treat every performance like a piece of living theatre, blending the rigor of Bharatanatyam with the drama of the stage. If you're looking for a performance that holds the audience in a trance, that is exactly what we do.
Looking for something else?
Find other dance productions, solo recitals, or workshops by me.
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