Samana

This event is a the result of the convergence of ideas and movement between two dancers with different backgrounds. Pallavi Nagesha has trained under renowned Bharatanatyam choreographers like Padmini Ravi and Nirupama Rajendra. Her aesthetic sensibilities, her innate connection to dance, her deep understanding of poetry, melody, and rhythm give her a unique vision that she pours out into her choreography. Revati Masilamani brings years of rigorous practice of this ancient art form. Trained under renowned Kalaskhetra gurus her unique perspective as a lifelong practitioner and learner enriches this partnership. They are both passionate about Bharatantyam that is rooted in tradition and evolves with time. Their alliance brings artistic ideas of contemporary themes and beliefs into a transformative art. They not only use this collaboration to learn and grow, but to create lasting art that makes a difference to the lives and the thinking of contemporary society.

Samana (title in progress) is the product of their very first collaborative exercise. This production follows the traditional marga or path, with ideas that are threaded together in a way that both the artists and the audience can follow, hold on, and cherish. This production consists of the dancer, accompanied by live musicians, exploring the idea of moments of permanence and impermanence within the flow of music. It also provides a platform for these traditional musicians to perform with a live dancer.

The choreography considered not just the poetry, music, and rhythm, but the silences in-between notes, the shapes between movement and the space between stillness and motion. Pallavi has tried to take classical Indian dance back to its origins of Bharata Nritya, basing her creative process on the teachings of Natyashastra. Revati executes these movements with her sensibilities and nuanced embellishments. Samana is the equalizer. A commentary on how divergence leads to the perfect convergent storm of art, ideas, and lives.