Traditional Solo Bharatanatyam Recitals in Delhi
My solo recitals are a deeply personal conversation between the dancer and the divine, rooted in 35 years of tradition and soulful storytelling.
A moment of storytelling from my 'Moham' recital. Through abhinaya, I convey the emotions of the character, using my eyes, face, and body to express love, longing, and devotion without saying a word.
Here, I am looking towards the divine, a common theme in Bharatanatyam where the dancer communicates with the gods. This pose, part of a narrative piece, shows a moment of prayer and surrender.
An inviting gesture during a performance. This open and welcoming posture is part of a piece that invites the audience into the story, sharing the joy and beauty of the dance.
A black and white photograph capturing the pure joy of dance. Even without color, the emotion of the performance shines through in this moment of expressive abhinaya.
This is a view from the wings, a student's perspective of me performing a Meera bhajan. It captures the energy and flow of a solo piece as I move across the stage, lost in the story of devotion.
Exploring the sringara rasa, or the emotion of love, through subtle expressions. This is the core of abhinaya, where I use my face as a canvas to paint the feelings described in the poetry and music.
Visualizing classic compositions in the studio. Before a piece ever reaches the stage, it is born from these moments of quiet contemplation and creative exploration.
This is a still from a feature by Ashirvachan, calling me 'Bharatanatyam's Leading Light'. It is an honor to be recognized for my dedication to this art form, which is my life's passion.
Abhinaya, or expression, is the soul of my dance. Here are a few quiet moments where I explore different emotions, from playful mischief to deep contemplation, bringing the characters and stories of my performance to life.
This is the heart of my performance, a moment of connection with the audience. Dressed in traditional temple jewellery and a silk sari, I use Bharatanatyam mudras, or hand gestures, to begin telling a story.
About Solo Recitals: The Art of Abhinaya & Nritta
When I perform, I bring a full 4-piece live Carnatic orchestra—vocalist, mridangam, flute, and nattuvangam—because the music is the heartbeat of every piece. We arrive 60 minutes early for a mandatory sound check, so you never have to worry about the technical flow of the event, whether it is a corporate gala or an intimate home gathering.
Authentic Bharatanatyam is not just about the steps. It is about 'Abhinaya', the art of expression. In my solo recitals, I use my eyes, hands, and body to convey complex emotions like longing, devotion, and joy, creating a story that resonates with audiences even if they are new to the classical form.
My performances carry the legacy of my mother and guru, Smt. Jamuna Krishnan. Whether it is an 'Alarippu' to open the space or a 'Varnam' that serves as the centerpiece of the recital, every movement is guided by the compositions she passed down to me.
What to expect from a solo recital:
- The Experience: A 60 to 90-minute traditional repertoire tailored to your event, from invocatory pieces to rhythmic 'nritta'.
- The Ensemble: I believe live music is non-negotiable. My senior accompanying artists bring the precision of Carnatic music to the stage, which provides a level of energy that recorded tracks simply cannot match.
- Technical Needs: To ensure the magic happens seamlessly, I require 5-6 microphones and a secure green room with mirrors for makeup and costume preparation.
I wear traditional temple jewellery and Kanjeevaram silk dance sarees, ensuring that the visual experience is as rich as the performance itself. If you are looking for an artistic centerpiece that brings grace and tradition to your venue, I would be happy to discuss how we can bring this to life for your guests.
Ragini Chandershekar
Dance for me is a way to keep my mother and guru, Smt. Jamuna Krishnan, alive in every movement. At Kalangan, we don't just teach steps; we share the heart, history, and emotions of Bharatanatyam, inviting you into our dance family.
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