A commitment to explore, enrich and promote the performing and visual arts of India, and to contemporize the rich tapestry of Indian creativity for modern audiences.
 

Adhirohana - The Ascent (1998)

Rooted in a single verse of a 9th century Sanskrit text, Soundarya Lahari, 'Adhirohana' captures a yogic vision of the universe once the Kundalini shakti - a storehouse of psychic energy - has been awakened.  Once roused from dormancy, the shakti passes through various organised centres of consciousness or chakras in its final journey towards pure consciousness.  Powerful serpentine imagery describes the penetration of each chakra as subtle states of consciousness are achieved.  The 6 chakras are, in order, earth, water, fire, wind, space and the intellect.  Once the kundalini shakti has crossed these levels of consciousness it 'descends', resulting in the attainment of spiritual freedom. 'Adhirohana' features Anita Ratnam in a solo performance which personifies an ascent to freedom from the acts, thoughts and deed that bind humanity to a life of perpetual struggle.

 

Gajaanana - The God of Good Things (1997)

The performing arts and Indian crafts merge with 'Gajaanana', a dance drama based on ancient Puranic narratives.  It brings to life the shlokas of Ganesha, the lovable elephant god, through Tamil folk dance, and Bharatanatyam.

Beautiful objects de art give an unusual, minimalistic setting to the production.  Lord Ganesha's trunk - made from palm leaves and hand-crafted beads stitched together  - forms the backdrop and sets the tone of the piece.  'Gajaanana', with its 15 member ensemble, brings on to one stage a startling array of art forms from the martial arts to Vedic chanting and modern dance.
 

Paanchajanyam (1993)
This work is inspired by the ancient 9th century Tamil verses Divya Prabhandham totalling almost 4,000 in number.  These deeply moving, spiritual verses were authored by the Alwars, a group of poet-saints who inspired kings and peasants alike with their soulful tributes to Lord Vishnu.

'Paanchajanyam' is a full-length dance drama which presents a mood mosaic of Sri Krishna's life from bhakti (devotion) to ananda (joy) in contemporary idiom for modern day audiences.

The production has a 21 member ensemble and combines Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali and Tamil folk dance.
 

Poems for the Eye (1995)
Choreographed in the Bharatanatyam style 'Poems for the Eye' is inspired by A K Ramanujan's translations of ancient Tamil poetry.  The production dramatizes the Akam or inner world of 3 women as they interact in their private spaces, as opposed to the Puram poems dealing with men and the battlefield.

'Poems for the Eye', based on 2000 year old love poems, resonates across time with its universal themes of love, longing and loneliness.
 

Ahalya - Sanctuary in Stone (1996)
Originally mentioned in the Ramayana and inspired by a Malayalam short story, Ahalya's life is a role model of 21st century womanhood and a symbol of struggle against oppression.  The powerful thematic content of 'Ahalya' lends itself to examining gender equations and social prejudices.

This unique solo dance theatre production is like the character it portrays - its breaks free of the shackles of convention.
 
 

Daughters of the Ocean (1999) The ebb and flow of life finds a powerful metaphor in the turning of the tide.  The vast, unfathomable ocean could tell wondrous tales if it could only speak - with 'Daughters of an Ocean' it finds a voice.  In this multi-layered work, the river is used as a symbol for many things, including India's great oral tradition flowing from one generation to the next. Linked through the 'navel of memory' and folklore, the daughters of the ocean - Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga personify awareness, creativity and courage and are connected to both past and future through the ocean's endless travels.

Vaigarai - A New Dawn (1998)
'Vaigarai' examines violence and its manifestations.  The subject of violence is used as a springboard to depict Gandhian non-violence.  'Vaigarai' - A New Dawn - speaks of hope since every person has the power - and opportunity - to change his perspective.  It was created specially for Doordarshan Television on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.