Behind-the-Scenes at Samarpana
This is where the magic happens when the lights go down and the rehearsals begin. Welcome to the heart of our Samarpana family.
A mandatory reel for Vijayadashami. Our dancers coming together in our kalari to celebrate the festival with a spontaneous performance.
Another impromptu Vijayadashami celebration, set to a beautiful 'Mookambika Sthuti' composed for our Guru, Padmashree Bharati Shivaji.
Highlights from our ensemble rehearsals in Guruvayoor. These sessions are filled with learning, fun, and experiences that we cherish.
A happy mirror selfie of our students. The synergy of coming together for weekend classes is infectious and builds a beautiful journey for all of us.
Unposted memories from Guruvayoor. An 'out of syllabus' fun dance reel showing the playful side of our talented dancers.
A spontaneous duet performed during Navaratri, depicting a beautiful 'krithi' by Saint Purandara Dasa about Goddess Lakshmi.
Glimpses from our "Ashtalakshmi" production rehearsals. We enjoy every bit of the creative process, working together to bring a concept to life.
The Samarpana family, seated together after a rehearsal. We are a dance and music ensemble that supports each other's artistic growth.
A collage of precious, natural moments from a trip to Thrissur. It's the journey together that makes every performance special.
The full team and our extended family after a program. It takes a village, and we are grateful for everyone's support.
About The Samarpana Family: Behind the Scenes
Our rehearsals in the Gottigere kalari are rarely just about strict technique. While we maintain a rigorous focus on Bharati Shivaji style posture and footwork, we prioritize the camaraderie that makes our ensemble performances fluid. We find that the laughter during our 'out of syllabus' breaks actually helps us connect better during the intense hours of Abhinaya practice.
Mohiniyattam is often viewed as a solo discipline, but here at Samarpana, it is a shared language. Whether we are prepping for an Arangetram or coordinating our next production, the energy we build in our Bangalore studio is what we carry onto the stage.
The Kalari Experience
Our studio, or 'kalari', is more than just a place for dance lessons. It is a space for the Samarpana family to grow. We focus heavily on the basics—Hastha Mudras, Chuvadusadhakam, and body conditioning—but we keep the environment informal and supportive. This helps students of all levels, from kids to adults, feel comfortable exploring the nuances of the art.
More Than Just Practice
When you see us in these photos—celebrating Vijayadashami, rehearsing in Guruvayoor, or sharing a meal—you are seeing the foundation of our performances. The synergy you see on stage comes from the hours spent bonding over music and movement.
Our Approach to Tradition
We teach the Bharati Shivaji style with deep respect for the tradition, but we believe that dance should be a joyful, living experience. Our 'Anubhavam' workshops and experimental jams allow us to explore the deeper, spiritual aspects of our art. If you are looking to join a community where you can learn the intricacies of Carnatic music and Mohiniyattam, while actually making friends in the process, this is the place to be.
Samarpana
We are Samarpana, a Bangalore-based family of dancers and musicians. We live for the quiet moments in our kalari and the shared energy of a stage performance, always dancing in the tradition of our Guru, Bharati Shivaji.
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