Live Dance Performances
Available across Chennai
I perform Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance acts, mixing tradition with personal stories, and tailor each show for events with live music and custom choreography.
Pricing Guide
Solo Invocation Performance (Recorded Audio)
Performance Details
- Duration: 10 to 15 minutes of curated high-energy repertoire.
- Acts: Selection includes an Invocation, Pushpanjali, or a fast-paced Tillana.
- Themes: Custom selection to match the event (e.g., Ganesha for auspicious beginnings, Durga for empowerment).
Production & Logistics
- Audio: Performance done to high-definition, pre-recorded classical tracks.
- Appearance: Full traditional Kanjeevaram silk costume, stage makeup, and temple jewelry.
- Engagement: Includes a brief meet and greet or photo opportunity with the artist post-performance.
Full Margam Recital (Live Orchestra)
The Experience
- Duration: 45 to 75 minutes.
- Format: Full 'Margam' (traditional repertoire) or thematic production.
- Styles: Includes technical 'Nritta' (pure dance) and expressive 'Abhinaya' (storytelling based on mythology).
- Narration: Artist provides English introductions for each piece to bridge the gap for non-classical audiences.
Live Ensemble
- Team: 5 professionals including the lead dancer and 4 top-tier musicians.
- Instruments: Vocals, Mridangam, Nattuvangam (Cymbals), and Violin or Flute.
Visuals
- Attire: Authentic Kanjeevaram Silk costumes with traditional fan pleats.
- Jewelry: Full Temple Jewelry set (Headset, Kemp stones, Jimikki).
Group Dance Spectacle (Lead + Troupe)
Performance Scale
- Cast: Shreema Upadhyaya (Lead) plus 3 to 4 trained Bharatanatyam artists.
- Duration: 30 to 45 minutes.
- Choreography: Intricate group formations and synchronized movements drawing from acclaimed productions.
Production Elements
- Audio: Studio-quality pre-recorded tracks ensuring perfect tempo and sound.
- Costuming: Color-coordinated costumes for the supporting troupe with the lead dancer in a distinct, complimentary palette.
- Themes: Focus on visual storytelling and geometric patterns.
- Preparation: Includes costs for dedicated group rehearsals prior to the event to ensure synchronization.
About Live Dance Performances
What Dance Means To Me
People see the big stage moment, but honestly, it’s all built on endless hours of practice, self-doubt, and sometimes injuries that make you rethink everything. I’ve learned to love the whole process - the tough rehearsals, the tiny wins, and the days when nothing goes right. Trusting my journey has turned each performance into something real, not just glitter.
What You’ll See On Stage
My dance is rooted in Bharatanatyam, but there’s more. I mix my classical training with my experiences as an actor and just being a regular woman juggling life in Bengaluru and Chennai. You’ll catch:
- Full-length Bharatanatyam solo acts (Margam) and energetic group numbers
- Dance storytelling shows for events - from brand launches to family gatherings, I tweak my pieces to fit your vibe, be it all tradition or a bit of glam
- Contemporary improvisational dance that pushes past the usual boundaries
Why I Dance
Each piece I perform tells a story, often crafted by my Guru, Sri P. Praveen Kumar. I love exploring themes like the cosmos, the fierce and gentle sides of the divine feminine, or timeless tales of Sita and Rama. My heart’s in the expressive side - abhinaya - where I get to dig into emotions from love to valour.
Teamwork & Sound
Even solo, I’m never really alone. The best shows have live music - vocals, mridangam, violin, flute - that take the vibe to another level. My Guru’s choreography is the soul behind what I do.
Where I Perform
I’m mostly in Bengaluru and Chennai, but I travel across India and abroad for shows. Every performance is a big commitment, and I love sharing that energy with new faces.
Meet your Expert
Shreema Upadhyaya
931 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Hey, I’m Shreema. Dancer, actor, model, sketch artist when the mood hits, and if you offer me chai, I’m yours. Been learning Bharatanatyam since I was four - my guru Praveen Kumar, he’s shaped everything. Ten years back, I wouldn’t have believed where I’d land. It’s been wild: survival, tiny dreams, disappointments, hope. I’m still figuring it out, honestly. Trusting the process, being kind to myself, and loving every bit of this journey.
My Work
What I do - I perform Bharatanatyam at events, act in films, and model. Sometimes all at once!
The real story behind the art - Grace on stage? Sure. But it’s mostly sweat, injuries, self-doubt, and some scheduling nightmares. Worth it, though.
My style - Dance means perspective. I mix traditional Padams with improv Bharatanatyam acts, sometimes giving mythology a modern twist.
Beyond just dance - I've danced on stages from UK to Saudi. Also acted in films like Ponniyin Selvan 2. Each one, a new adventure.
