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 'When Light Dances- Lighting the Aesthetic World of Indian Classical Dance'- Dr. Ragini Sanathe-mail: ranusanath@gmail.com November 16, 2025 When Light Dances- Lighting the Aesthetic World of Indian Classical Dance by Dr. Rashmi Thaper is a remarkable contribution to the world of Indian classical dance. It brings attention to an area that is often overlooked - stage lighting. It explains how light can transform a performance from being just visual to truly magical. The book begins by tracing the history of stage lighting during the temple period, especially in the temples of Karnataka and then explores how lighting evolved through various theatre art forms. It gives readers a sense of how illumination, once rooted in ritual and tradition, gradually became a creative force that shapes the visual and emotional mood of a performance.  What makes this book stand out is its clarity and simplicity. Though lighting is often seen as a highly technical field, Dr. Rashmi writes from the perspective of a dancer. She makes the subject easy to understand without losing its depth. The book is filled with choreography examples and beautiful photographs, showing how stage lighting can enhance different dance scenes and moods. It also explains various design approaches that dancers can incorporate into their performances. It is written not just for Bharatanatyam artistes, but for dancers of all classical forms who wish to understand and use lighting effectively. Whether you are a dancer curious about how lighting works, or someone who wishes to learn the basics of stage lighting, this book is an ideal starting point. As Dr. Rashmi herself writes, "Stage lighting is an art and creativity is boundless - but having a guide to begin with makes all the difference." The book's final section focuses on aesthetics, emphasizing that lighting is not just about brightness but about emotion, rhythm and storytelling and its importance to blend with the traditional classical art. Dr. Rashmi highlights how a well-designed light can blend beautifully with classical dance, creating harmony between the performer and the space. In short, this book walks readers through the history, technique and aesthetics of stage lighting in an engaging and accessible way. It is the first of its kind in Indian classical dance literature and serves as an informative guide to intertwine the contemporary stage lighting with the traditional classical art form. As she mentions, her research journey, from her M.Phil. to her Ph.D. involved years of fieldwork in auditoriums, working closely with light designers and learning through practical experience. She began this exploration because there was no existing reference on lighting specifically related to Indian classical dance. When Light Dances is the outcome of that long and dedicated effort, offering future dancers and designers a foundation to build upon. A first of its kind book in the field of Indian classical dance reflects her deep love for dance and her belief that lighting is not just a background element, but a living part of the performance itself.  Dr. Ragini Sanath is a Karnatak classical musician and educator with Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Music from Jain University under Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh. A Gold Medalist, CCRT Fellowship recipient, and graded AIR Bengaluru artist, she currently serves in an academic role at LGCE, Bengaluru. Previously, she worked in the corporate sector with Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. and MediAssist TPA Ltd. Post your comment Please provide your name / email id when you use the Anonymous / blog profile to post a comment. All appropriate comments posted in the blog will also be featured in the site. |
