MAINSTAGE 2025-2026
Shakti
Pallavi Bharadwaj
Photo: sibi sakthivel
Shakti
Shakti is a solo Bharatanatyam performance exploring the many dimensions of feminine power through the story of the goddess Meenakshi. Rooted in classical vocabulary and drawn from the Devi Purana, the work moves through knowledge, authority, love, motherhood, and devotion. Shakti is not a singular force but a dynamic spectrum. Through expressive storytelling, the piece traces Meenakshi’s transformation from a fiery young princess to a compassionate embodiment of strength.
The performance opens with Annapurne Sadha Purne, invoking fullness and nourishment through the ever-giving goddess. This is followed by Sri Rama Saraswathi in Raaga Nasikabhushini, a lyrical meditation on the Devi as the embodiment of knowledge, learning, and clarity. Together, these set the stage for the central Daru Varnam Mathe Malayadwaja, where Meenakshi emerges in her most commanding form.
Meenakshi is first seen as a young warrior, born from fire and trained to lead. She challenges tradition with confidence, refusing marriage and embracing power on her own terms. The choreography reflects this defiance through sharp lines, dynamic rhythms, and assertive movement. Later, the work softens to reveal Meenakshi as a mother, with scenes of her sons’ births and early childhood allowing tenderness and intimacy to take center stage. This transition expands the narrative, reminding us that strength and love coexist.
In the final section, Meenakshi becomes Chamundeshwari, slayer of the demon Mahishasura. The battle metaphorically represents the fight against chaos, injustice, and inner doubt. The piece evokes key episodes as lived experience, inviting audiences to connect with Devi beyond myth, as a timeless and resonant force.
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. 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.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Performance History:
1. October 31, 2010 (Premiere)
Venue: ADA Rangamandira, Bangalore, India
2. November 12, 2013
Presenter: Kannada and Culture Department
Venue: Jaganmohana Palace, Mysore, India
3. July 25, 2014
Presenter: Indian Council for Cultural Relations
Venue: Yavanika Auditorium, State Youth Center, Bangalore, India
4. February 19, 2017
Presenter: Sankramana Festival
Venue: Nayana Auditorium, Bangalore, India
Project Created by: Guru Kiran Subramanyam
Key Artistic Collaborators: 1. Choreographer & Mentor: Guru Kiran Subramanyam
2. Concept & Execution: Pallavi Bharadwaj
3. Costume Design: Pallavi Bharadwaj
Recorded Music featuring:
4. Nattuvangam: Guru Kiran Subramanyam
5. Vocal: Vidhwan. D S Srivathsa
6. Mridangam: Vidhwan. Sri Hari
7. Flute: Vidhwan. Mahesh Swamy
8. Violin: Vidhwan. Natarajamurthy
Performance type: THIS WORK IS BUILT FOR THEATRE, THIS WORK IS ADAPTABLE TO THEATRE OR OUTDOORS OR ALTERNATE VENUES /SPACES
How do you define this work: Dance/Theatre & Culturally Specific
This is a solo Bharatanatyam work rooted in South Indian classical tradition. It draws from mythological narratives and expressive storytelling. While culturally specific in form and content, the themes of feminine power, resistance, and transformation speak to a wide range of audiences. The work remains accessible through emotional clarity, spoken narration, and visual richness.
Length of performance: 60 minutes
Audience type: General Audience
General Technical Requirements: 1. Performance Area: Clear, unobstructed dance floor with smooth, non-slippery surface (wood or marley preferred)
2. Lighting: Basic theatrical lighting with warm wash and the ability to isolate zones or create mood shifts. No complex lighting cues required
3. Sound: Playback system for recorded music (USB or laptop input), with good quality speakers and consistent output
4. Microphone: 1 wireless or hands-free microphone for brief spoken introductions or narration between pieces
5. Projections/sets/props: Not required
6. Other: Green room / backstage area for costume change and pre-performance preparations
Required amount of time for tech set up: 1.5 to 2 hours including sound check, lighting focus, mic check, spacing and brief run-through on stage
Alternative Venues: This project is designed primarily for traditional theatre settings as well as alternative indoor venues such as studios and auditoriums. It requires a smooth, non-slip floor suitable for intricate footwork, ideally wood or marley. The performance depends on high-quality sound playback for recorded music, so access to a reliable sound system is essential. Lighting should be flexible enough to create focused areas and support mood shifts, but complex technical setups are not necessary.
The work is not suitable for outdoor venues due to the need for a stable, even floor surface and controlled audio conditions. Ambient noise and weather can interfere with the subtle rhythms and narration. Accessibility considerations include a quiet backstage area / green room for preparation and a safe performance space free of hazards.
This adaptability makes the work well suited to a range of indoor performance spaces, from theatres to community centres, where audiences can engage closely with the storytelling and movement.
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 1
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 2
Availabilities: 2025/26 Season
Project Details
Community Engagement
While I am currently focusing on the solo performance without additional community engagement activities, I am enthusiastic about future collaborations that integrate Bharatanatyam with musicians and Western instruments. These creative partnerships may evolve later and offer opportunities for co-creation and interdisciplinary exploration. At this stage, I am fully dedicated to presenting Shakti as a solo work, with openness to expanding the project’s scope through collaboration in the future.
Outreach Activities
Alongside the performance, I can offer a beginner-level movement workshop that introduces foundational Bharatanatyam techniques, including basic footwork, hand gestures, and rhythmic patterns. This workshop is suitable for participants aged 12 and above and can be adapted to fit sessions ranging from 1 to 3 hours.
Designed for those with little or no prior dance experience, the workshop encourages participants to explore movement in a supportive and accessible environment.
Scheduling and fees are flexible and can be discussed with presenters to best suit their event needs. This workshop offers audiences a hands-on way to engage with the art form beyond the performance.