Tribe Verified

Mythological Epics Retold Through Classical and Martial Dance

byRakesh Sai BabuTravels across India for performances; Studio in IndirapuramStarts from65,000 per performance (up to 15 mins)View full gallery

I bring India's ancient epics to life on stage, fusing the martial power of Mayurbhanj Chhau with classical grace to narrate stories like the Ramayana and Maheswara.

A vibrant group pose from our production 'Maheswara'. This piece is a tribute to Lord Shiva and blends the masculine energy of Chhau with the grace of Bharatanatyam.

A performance of 'Mahishasur Mardini' in the Mayurbhanj Chhau style. This piece depicts the fierce battle between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasur.

A clip from 'Maheswara', showing the dynamic interplay between male and female dancers. The choreography fuses Chhau and Bharatanatyam to tell the stories of Shiva.

A performance of 'Aigirinandini', a powerful piece celebrating the divine feminine, or Shakti. The choreography uses the strong, grounded movements of Mayurbhanj Chhau.

A close-up of a dancer portraying Lord Krishna, complete with a feathered headpiece. My work often involves detailed character studies from Hindu mythology.

A Mayurbhanj Chhau performance by my female students. This piece, telling the story of Mahishasur Mardini, showcases the power and grace of the feminine form in a martial style.

A clip from our production 'Shakti', where male dancers use swords to perform an intense, warrior-like sequence from Mayurbhanj Chhau.

A glimpse into the 'Maheswara' production, showing the full troupe on stage in New Delhi. The performance combines different classical styles to honor Lord Shiva.

A group photo of the 'Maheswara' cast, highlighting the mix of male Chhau dancers and female Bharatanatyam dancers in colorful costumes.

The male dancers of the 'Maheswara' production in a synchronized Chhau pose. Their powerful stance is characteristic of the martial dance form.

About Mythological Epics Retold

To truly narrate a mythological epic on stage, I balance the raw, masculine energy of Mayurbhanj Chhau with the disciplined grace of classical forms like Bharatanatyam. It is not just about the steps, but the visual storytelling—the way a trishul is held or the precise moment a battle sequence shifts into a moment of divine peace—that creates the narrative impact for the audience.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe