Collaborative and Experimental Bharatanatyam Choreography
Namaskara. Art grows when it interacts with different perspectives. Here, I showcase my collaborations where Bharatanatyam meets contemporary movement, puppetry, and psychology to form entirely new narratives.
Announcing 'Tatsama Tadbhava', a collaboration between my Chithkala School of Dance and Abstratics Creative Dance Company. This project was a fusion of Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance.
The official poster for 'Tatsama Tadbhava', a production exploring the archetypes of human behavior through two distinct dance forms.
A promotional image for 'Tatsama Tadbhava', featuring the lead choreographers. This collaboration was a journey of mutual learning and creative exploration.
A powerful image from 'Tatsama Tadbhava', showing the contrast between the classical and contemporary forms. The choreography explored the space between these two worlds.
The full cast of 'Tatsama Tadbhava'. It was a wonderful experience bringing together dancers from both my Chithkala school and Abstratics for this unique production.
A powerful image from 'Tatsama Tadbhava', showing the contrast between the classical and contemporary forms. The choreography explored the space between these two worlds.
A composite image from 'Tatsama Tadbhava', contrasting the raw energy of the contemporary section with the expressive grace of the Bharatanatyam segment.
About this collection
When I approach a collaborative project, I do not just look to fuse different dance styles; I search for a shared language that allows the classical structure of Bharatanatyam to communicate with contemporary forms. If you are planning an experimental production or looking to push your artistic boundaries, know that my process is rooted in the depth of abhinaya while being entirely open to the interplay of new technologies, themes like psychology, and multi-disciplinary teams.
My work in experimental choreography is driven by the belief that Bharatanatyam is a living, breathing medium. It is not limited to the traditional repertoire. Take, for example, 'Tatsama Tadbhava', a production created in collaboration with the Abstratics Creative Dance Company. We explored Carl Jung's archetypes—the Shadow, Anima, Persona, and the Self—using a blend of classical geometry and contemporary fluid movement.
How I Structure Collaborative Projects
- The Narrative Core: Every experiment begins with a strong concept. Whether we are tackling social issues, climate change, or human psychology, the story dictates the movement.
- The Musical Dialogue: Even in fusion projects, I insist on working with a live music team. The synergy between a vocalist, a mrudangist, and the dancers is where the energy for improvisation arises.
- Technical Integration: I work closely with lighting designers and stage teams to ensure the physical space supports the narrative shift, especially when merging forms that require different stage setups.
Why Collaborate?
If you are a dance school, a theatre group, or an individual artist looking to create a performance that defies traditional categorization, let us talk. I have worked with puppeteers and contemporary dancers to find the 'Tatsama' (same) and 'Tadbhava' (evolved/derived) elements in art. My role is to maintain the discipline of the classical form while ensuring the artistic expression remains authentic and relevant to today's audiences in Bengaluru and beyond.
Praveen Kumar
Namaskara, I am Praveen Kumar. I lead Chithkala School of Dance, where we treat Bharatanatyam as a language that thrives when it converses with other artistic forms. Whether we are staging thematic productions or diving into contemporary fusion, I am always seeking that spark where different creative worlds intersect.
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