--- title: "Bharatanatyam Rehearsals and Creative Process at Vivartana Studio" description: "See the dedication behind Bharatanatyam choreography and rehearsals at Vivartana. Explore how we train for Arangetrams and professional dance productions in Bangalore." canonical: https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/behind-the-curtain-practice-process last_updated: 2025-09-06 --- # Behind the Curtain: Bharatanatyam Practice and Creative Process Tribe Verified · Active studio presence in Bangalore and Chennai. By [Sushmitha Suresh](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93) · Travels for performances in Bengaluru & Chennai; Online choreography available · ₹60K per performance (estimate) Part of [Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/gallery) A candid look at the hours of discipline, studio rehearsals, and creative planning that happen long before the stage lights turn on. ## Photos and videos - [Video: What I do versus what I show. A fun behind-the-scenes reel showing the hard work of photoshoots compared to the polished final images.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/17f2eb20-db21-470e-9f0c-6f3eed374f5a) - [Video: A vlog from our ambitious 'SHE' project. Starting at 4:25 AM on a festival day, this video documents the meticulous planning, rehearsals, and teamwork that went into the production.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e63d5fce-19bf-4ae0-a066-aaf8402d0ffc) - ![A quiet, contemplative moment captured in the wings, just before stepping onto the stage. The moments before showtime are filled with focus and anticipation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ddd79823-a022-4364-8ec8-0c6045e1f63f) - [Video: "Just have fun dancing." A black and white behind-the-scenes video from the 'SHE' production, capturing my instructions and encouragement to the dancers before the final take.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/66ceb97f-afad-4a81-a925-364ff146a07b) - [Video: A short reel from a beach photoshoot, showing the beautiful scenery and snippets of the dance against the waves. The full video is on my YouTube channel.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3a32974-8dd1-4e0e-a39f-08200e2582b8) - [Video: A warm welcome to my channel, Vivartana The Art Studio. Here I share a bit about what I do as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, and what you can expect to see.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f0b3cbe-ea61-4a9d-8558-7352c35fb2fe) - [Video: Playing with light, camera, and movement in the studio. This reel shows some freestyle movement and improvisation under a large softbox light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3a39db95-5c67-42e6-9326-f9cb918b7197) - [Video: A behind-the-scenes video showing the play of light and shadow during a studio shoot. It's fascinating to see how lighting can completely transform the mood of a dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e51b31d9-bb10-4bac-8a6f-1b91f2783ebd) - ![This is us. A candid moment of teaching in the studio, with the reflection in the mirror showing the student-teacher connection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a7a99cf3-4b35-474e-9a45-12f6c334d675) - ![A shot of me in my studio, a space for creation and choreography. The mirror reflects not just the dancer, but the endless possibilities of the art form.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d2038e7a-a350-4ef9-8589-7d289848a3d8) - [Video: A regular day at my studio, Vivartana. This is my space for practice, exploration, and quiet moments of creativity.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9ebd7ebf-5772-4201-8eb6-42b2097f276b) - [Video: Behind the scenes of a rehearsal with my stellar orchestra. This video shows the collaborative process of setting a dance piece to live music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90e8a1fa-c2b3-41cf-8de0-dd826bdcd710) - [Video: More behind-the-scenes moments from a rehearsal, showing the musicians, the Nataraja idol, and the focused energy in the room before a performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d8bc55a-d1b3-4718-b3db-d46f33ef2cca) - [Video: A glimpse into our rehearsal process. Here you can see me working with the vocalist and demonstrating movements to fine-tune the performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b9e38c5a-1b89-4c2d-93ce-dc5b9a23a1a0) - [Video: A video celebrating my dance journey on World Dance Day. This is a choreography I created to an old audio recording, showing how the art form evolves with the artist.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c310f2e-ff7c-45fa-91cb-ae10d5cc0ec7) - [Video: A behind-the-scenes reel from a shoot, capturing the small, candid moments of getting ready and finding the right expression before the camera rolls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b6c3e70f-ba49-4dc2-9a5f-7ecd7af68a78) - [Video: A fun collaboration in the making. This behind-the-scenes clip shows a group of us working on a fun Jathi piece, enjoying the process of creating together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f318bc29-3afb-4c3d-9013-428a2fda725f) - [Video: A spontaneous and fun jam session with a fellow dancer who visited my studio. It's always a joy to connect and create with other artists.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c2659dda-4863-4c28-8b2d-2294df3538ae) - [Video: A throwback to a virtual performance during the pandemic. This reel shows how we adapted to the times, creating beautiful digital content from different locations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ff8575eb-1d69-465a-be42-32cf7e7e3406) - [Video: A snippet from my practice of the Krishna Panchaka Mallari. This piece is pure joy, and I find something new in it every single time I dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/031ef4d4-e290-46f3-8c66-deaaafd02948) - [Video: On a rainy night, sometimes all you need is to move. This is an impromptu, therapeutic dance session in my studio, a moment of pure, unplanned expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9e3ef39e-3a37-4456-a171-1a19c1438798) - [Video: "Dance first. Think later." A simple practice session at my studio, focusing on the joy of movement and the natural order of expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/167c3bb6-62a0-433a-82cf-ad4c1de343ae) - ![Just popping in to say hello from my studio. A happy, no-filter moment in my favorite creative space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5d8dccf8-fa5b-4476-acc7-0300803984d8) - [Video: A practice reel from my studio. The clean space and natural light make it the perfect place to work on choreography and refine my technique.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a7143cc9-6c2d-475c-8687-74daa4f31352) ## About Behind the Curtain: Practice & Process Every performance you see on stage starts here on the studio floor, often with an all-women orchestra working out the rhythm. When we rehearse, we are not just practicing steps; we are blocking formations, tuning the audio, and refining the storytelling until it feels honest. If you are planning a production or need professional choreography, these sessions are where the foundation is built. At Vivartana, the process is as important as the final product. Whether it is an early morning start for a festival shoot or a quiet evening in the studio, the goal remains the same: honesty in movement. We focus on the granular details that make a performance stand out, from the synchronization of dancers in a group piece to the technical precision required for a solo Arangetram. ### How We Work **Rehearsal Environment** We believe the studio is a sanctuary for creation. Our spaces in Bangalore and Chennai are designed for full-body expression, featuring wooden flooring and mirrors to help dancers observe and correct their alignment in real time. **Orchestra Collaboration** For major performances, we prioritize musical synergy. We bring in specialized musicians for live Nattuvangam and percussion, ensuring the choreography is perfectly tethered to the rhythm of the orchestra. **Technical Preparation** From studio shoots to final stage runs, we handle the production details that performers often struggle with. This includes lighting setups, costume color coordination, and audio mixing for group tracks. **Frequently Asked Questions** *Do you offer studio rentals?* Yes, our Kodambakkam space is fully equipped with mirrors, audio systems, and changing areas, available for other artists to rehearse or shoot. *How do you approach ensemble choreography?* We focus on dynamic spacing and formations that utilize the entire stage. We want every dancer to feel empowered, not just present. *Can I book you for a specific production?* Yes, I work on everything from conceptualizing dance dramas to executing full-scale Arangetrams, providing the artistic direction needed to bring your vision to life. ## About Sushmitha Suresh I am Sushmitha Suresh, a Bharatanatyam artist based in Bangalore and Chennai. My studio, Vivartana, is my sanctuary for creation, where I work closely with my students and musicians to push the boundaries of this tradition. Whether you need choreography for a debut or professional training, I am here to help you find your rhythm. [See all of Sushmitha Suresh's services](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93) ## More from Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography by Sushmitha Suresh - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/featured) - [Solo Performances](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/solo-performances) - [Vivartana: Group Performances](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/vivartana-group-performances) - [Mentoring the Next Generation](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/mentoring-the-next-generation) - [The Art of Dance Photography](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/the-art-of-dance-photography) - [In the News: Announcements & Features](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/in-the-news-announcements-features) ## More services by Sushmitha Suresh - [Dance Studio Rental](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/dance-studio-rental) - [Stage Makeup Artistry](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/stage-makeup-artistry) - [Bharatanatyam Training](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-training) ## Similar work from other experts - [Behind the Curtain: The Creative Process of Bharatanatyam](https://mytribe.in/adithya.pv/bharatanatyam-choreography/the-creative-process-behind-the-curtain) by Adithya · Bharatanatyam Choreography · Studio in NRI Layout; Travels across Bengaluru & India - [Behind the Scenes: Preparation for Bharatanatyam](https://mytribe.in/preetha_dance/stage-performance-event-choreography/behind-the-stage-practice-preparation) by Preetha Arun · Stage Performance & Event Choreography · Studio in Whitefield & travels to venues across Bengaluru - [Behind the Scenes of a Bharatanatyam Performance](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-performances/the-journey-to-the-stage) by Divya Srikanth · Bharatanatyam Performances · Performs across Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kerala - [Behind the Scenes of Bharatanatyam Choreography](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/the-creative-process-behind-the-scenes) by Indira Kadambi · Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography · Based in Jigani, Bengaluru; Travels across India for shows - [Bharatanatyam Daily Practice: Rehearsals and Training Sessions](https://mytribe.in/parshwanath_upadhye/bharatanatyam-dance-training-workshops/behind-the-scenes-the-daily-practice) by Parshwanath Upadhye · Bharatanatyam Dance Training & Workshops · Classes at NRI Layout & Chikhale; Workshops across Bengaluru; Online sessions available - [Bharatanatyam Choreography & Rehearsal Process](https://mytribe.in/praveenkumardance/bharatanatyam-performances/the-journey-of-creation-rehearsals-workshops) by Praveen Kumar · Bharatanatyam Performances · Performs across Bengaluru & travels pan-India ## Guides - [Choreographers](https://mytribe.in/guides/choreographers-in-bengaluru): What a sangeet dance costs per song, how many rehearsals it needs, and home, studio or online. ₹2,500 a song online to ₹20,000 plus coaching for a studio routine. - [Bharatanatyam and Kathak classes for adults](https://mytribe.in/guides/bharatanatyam-and-kathak-classes-for-adults-in-bengaluru): Whether it's too late, which of the two to learn, what the first day costs and how long to the stage. ₹2,000 a month for two classes a week at one school. ## Book To book Sushmitha Suresh, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Bharatanatyam%20Performance%20%26%20Choreography%20by%20Sushmitha%20Suresh.) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. Put it in the link as `https://wa.me/916360004054?text=`.