DADAO 2025-2026
DADAO 2025-2026
Shades of Love
“Shades of Love” is a Bharatanatyam solo drawing on classical poetry from the South Indian languages Kannada and Tamil to explore universal love beyond the divine, romantic, or traditional norms. Through choreography and translation, I aim to spotlight voices from regional literature that speak of the empowered embrace of self-love, quiet ache of longing, the shared sorrow of compassion, the fierce defiance of rebellion, the unbreakable bond of solidarity, the enduring presence of grief, the bold claim of freedom, and above all, the radical act of loving freely.
Pallavi Bharadwaj
Pallavi Bharadwaj is a Bharatanatyam artist and choreographer with over two decades of training rooted in Bangalore, India. Now based in British Columbia, she engages classical South Indian forms as a living language through which to explore contemporary themes of identity, belonging, and emotional nuance. Her choreographic work bridges literary heritage and embodied performance, translating South Indian poetry and philosophy into movement, rhythm, and voice. Deeply committed to inclusive, cross-cultural dialogue, Pallavi reimagines Bharatanatyam as both a vessel of tradition and a site for radical empathy, connection, and artistic inquiry.
Photo: Sibi Sakthivel
Details:
Year of creation: 2025
Choreographer: Pallavi Bharadwaj
Key collaborators:
1. Vocals: Sharvari Somayaji (Vancouver, BC)
2. Mridangam (percussion): Dr. Curtis Andrews (Vancouver, BC)
3. Violin: Sriram Rajagopalan (Vancouver, BC)
Audience Type: Elementary (Gr. 1-7), Youth (Gr. 8-12), Families, Young Adults, Adults, Seniors
Length of work: 40 minutes (adaptable)
Preparation time required on site: 2 hours (includes warm-up, floor mapping, and basic tech check)
Technical requirements required on-site: 1. Access to one grounded electrical outlet (if amplification is needed)
2. Access to an outlet and power source
3. Bluetooth speaker or small PA for playback (if live music is unavailable)
4. Side ramp / bench for musicians to sit on either side of the stage
5. Setup and strike managed by solo artist with minimal external support
6. Safe and accessible flat space for performance
7. Shelter in case of sun or rain
8. No rigging, lighting, or complex cues
Space required: Minimum 12’x12’ flat surface (smooth or wood platform, non-slippery, shelter recommended)
Availability: I am available for select touring and performance opportunities across BC. While I balance a full-time role outside my artistic practice, I prioritize meaningful engagements that align with my creative vision. I am particularly interested in opportunities that create focused impact through performances, workshops, or community dialogue, rather than extensive touring. With adequate notice, I can commit to key events, festivals, or regional showcases that support thoughtful presentation and audience connection.
Community Engagement
A movement-based workshop in which participants explore how poetry can be translated into expressive movement. Using simple gestures, rhythm, and movement-based storytelling, the workshop guides participants to embody emotional themes such as self-love, connection, and memory. The session is accessible to all ages and experience levels, and can be adapted for public spaces, or community gatherings. Participants are invited to respond to a selected poem through movement, creating personal phrases that reflect their own stories. The workshop emphasizes self-reflection, creative play, and shared expression.