Sharanya

From the Lotus and Water Lily Festival, a Nalinakanthi Jatiswaram I choreographed, performed with Shraddha, Rupa, and Vidhya.

I picked this clip because of the transition and the way the four of us connect through it. A jatiswaram has no story or lyrics, just rhythm and movement, so what carries it is the energy between the dancers. When that clicks, you can feel it, and this was one of those moments.

Watching adults take on a piece like this is a reminder that Bharatanatyam is not something you age out of. If you are in the South Bay and thinking about returning to dance or starting fresh, our fall classes in Santa Clara are open now. Link in bio.

From the archive — Jaya Janaki Kantha, a devotional piece dedicated to Rama, performed at my solo show Prakash in 2019.

Prakash was created in honor of my grandfather, who was a devotee of Rama. Choosing this piece for that show felt inevitable, a way of speaking his language back to him through dance.

What I love is that this piece has lived in so many forms since then. A solo on stage, a group performance at the Cherry Blossom Festival, a different energy every time. Same music, same movement, but the context always changes what it becomes. That is something we get to do through Bharatanatyam, carry the same piece across years, stages, and communities. Something I hope to keep doing in the South Bay this fall. 🌸