Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Sharanya Chandran captivated audiences on Saturday with her solo performance titled Hymns to Hara at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
The performance explored the multifaceted nature of Lord Shiva, evoking a wide spectrum of emotions such as love, devotion, awe, valor, and even disgust. Through a carefully curated selection of Bharatanatyam pieces, Sharanya celebrated Shiva’s divine essence, drawing inspiration from a rich literary tradition that included Tamil and Maithili verses.
Sharanya shared the personal significance of the performance, said, “This is a particularly special performance for me. It marks my return to the stage after a hiatus and I was excited to reconnect with my audience. Additionally, it is a tribute to my grandparents, both ardent Shiva bhaktas, as we celebrate their birth centennials. And to add to the significance, September 14th also marks my ten-year anniversary at J-PAL South Asia. I am proud to have successfully balanced my passions for development and dance.”
Sharanya was accompanied by a stellar ensemble, including her mother and guru, Padmashri Geeta Chandran on nattuvangam, K Venkateshwaran on vocals, Manohar Balatchandirane on the mridangam, Varun Rajasekharan on ghatam, and G Raghavendra Prasath on violin.
Sharanya’s journey in Bharatanatyam began at the age of four under the guidance of her mother at Natya Vriksha, an institution founded by Geeta Chandran. Over the years, she has performed in prestigious festivals across India and globally, earning numerous accolades for her work.
In addition to her dance career, Sharanya is a seasoned development and policy professional, serving as the Director of Policy and Communications at J-PAL South Asia. Her dual commitment to dance and development has defined her unique career path, finding synergies between her two passions.
About Author
Leave a Reply