The Wheel of Choices: Epic Bharatanatyam Dance Drama
A powerful retelling of the Mahabharata where tradition meets theater. We blend complex Bharatanatyam rhythms with narrative storytelling to explore the weight of destiny and dharma.
The official announcement for my production, "The Wheel of Choices." This dance drama is my interpretation of the Mahabharata's timeless lessons on dharma and karmic destiny, presented with my senior students and fellow artists.
A teaser for "The Wheel of Choices," giving you a feel for the epic scale and emotional depth of the story of Karna from the Mahabharata.
A close-up of my portrayal of Karna at the 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival. Capturing his internal conflict and nobility was a profound experience, especially on such a historic stage.
The full troupe on stage at the Khajuraho Dance Festival. Performing "The Wheel of Choices" with my dear friends and students at such a prestigious event was a dream come true for all of us.
The stage design and lighting are crucial for setting the mood. Here, you can see how we use focused lighting to create dramatic moments and guide the audience's attention during "The Wheel of Choices."
A scene depicting the complex relationship between characters in "The Wheel of Choices." My student portrays Draupadi, interacting with my character, Karna, in a moment of dramatic tension.
The powerful character of Draupadi, born of fire, portrayed with incredible strength and spirit by my student, Paromita. Her performance brought a vital energy to the production.
My talented student Nidhi playing the challenging role of Duryodhana. It is incredibly rewarding to see my students embody such complex characters with conviction and skill.
My dear friend Mahalakshmi portraying Kunti. Her dedication to the role, especially while managing a baby at home, was truly inspiring and added a deep layer of emotion to the production.
The audience's response at the Khajuraho Dance Festival was overwhelming. Hearing how the story and emotions of "The Wheel of Choices" resonated with them is the ultimate validation of our work.
About Grand Productions: The Wheel of Choices
We design these large-scale productions to be fully accessible, even if you are not familiar with the technical nuances of classical dance. Before each segment, we provide verbal introductions in English and Hindi to deconstruct the mythological context, ensuring the narrative remains engaging and easy to follow for every audience member in the hall.
Bringing a production like 'The Wheel of Choices' to the stage is a labor of love that extends far beyond the dance steps. It is a 60 to 90-minute theatrical experience that involves an 8 to 12-member ensemble, including guest male artists who bring dynamic energy to the warrior roles. My approach is to take the traditional Margam format and expand it into a full-scale drama that can captivate an audience at venues ranging from intimate Delhi auditoriums to international festivals in France.
We pay meticulous attention to the production aesthetics to ensure the story takes center stage. This includes custom lighting design to underscore dramatic shifts in the plot, professionally recorded soundscapes featuring classical scores and war effects, and period-specific costumes that distinguish roles like the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Whether it is portraying the internal conflict of Karna or the fiery spirit of Draupadi, the goal is to make the Mahabharata feel immediate and human.
Because this is a large-format production, it works best for cultural festivals, large corporate functions, or venues with substantial stage infrastructure. If you are planning an event where you want to go beyond a standard performance and offer your guests a complete storytelling experience, this production serves as a powerful centerpiece. We work closely with our hosts to adapt the staging to their venue's technical capabilities.
Shreyasi Gopinath
I am Shreyasi Gopinath, a classically trained dancer and founder of SGDA here in Delhi. My goal is to make ancient epics breathe on stage, using Bharatanatyam not just as a performance, but as a medium for genuine storytelling that leaves the audience moved.
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