Project Created by: Sruthi Purushothaman

Key Artistic Collaborators: Each dance item has been choreographed by renowned Bharatanatyam/Bharatanrithyam artists from India. The introductory Javali has been choreographed by Guru Dr. Shobha Shashikumar and re-interpreted by Sruthi. The Shabdam and Thillana have been choreographed by late Guru B. Bhanumati. Padam has been choreographed by Guru Bragha Bessel. Varnam has been choreographed by Guru Smt. Sheela Chandrashekhar.

This work has been curated by my dance mentor Vidushi Deepthi Radhakrishna.

Performance type: THIS WORK IS BUILT FOR THEATRE

How do you define this work: “Where She Dwells: Divinity and the Everyday” is a culturally specific dance production rooted in the classical South Indian form of Bharatanatyam. While traditional in movement vocabulary and aesthetics, the production explores contemporary themes of womanhood, weaving together stories that resonate with modern audiences. It is not experimental or digital in format, nor does it incorporate mixed-reality or multi-disciplinary elements, but it remains deeply expressive through its integration of music, narrative, and costume. Designed for general and family audiences, this work offers a compelling experience grounded in Indian heritage, making it both accessible and meaningful across cultures and generations.

Length of performance: 60 mins

Audience type: General Audience

General Technical Requirements: Lighting Suggestion for “Where She Dwells: Divinity and the Everyday”
Use a dynamic lighting design that evolves with each piece to reflect the emotional and thematic progression of the production. Here's a brief scene-wise suggestion:
1. Javali: Blush of a Bride – Naivety in Bloom
Soft, warm lighting with blush pinks and gentle ambers to evoke innocence and youthful anticipation. Use a subtle spotlight to emphasize the solo journey of the bride-to-be, with delicate gobos mimicking light filtering through a veil or fabric.
2. Shabdam: Her Steps Toward the Cosmic Beat
Transition to deep indigos and golds, creating a devotional and celestial atmosphere. Use slow, pulsing light fades to mirror spiritual immersion and divine rhythm, with a central glow symbolizing the presence of Lord Nataraja.
3. Varnam: Cradle and Blade
Employ contrasting lighting—soft lavenders and icy blues shifting into bold reds and golds—to reflect the goddess's dual nature. Use cross-lighting to cast layered shadows, symbolizing the interplay of nurturing and protective power.
4. Padam: Whispers to a Little One
Introduce warm, low lighting in amber and candlelight tones. Create an intimate, almost womb-like space with soft edge lights and gentle spot tracking to mimic a mother’s protective gaze and enveloping love.
5. Thillana: The Inner Pulse
Finish with vibrant, saturated lighting in reds, oranges, and shimmering whites. Use rhythmic light chases or cues timed with footwork to embody the energy of Devi Parashakti. Allow the stage to burst with movement through layered color washes and dynamic patterns.
General Approach:
Maintain a base of naturalistic lighting to preserve the classical aesthetic of Bharatanatyam, but enhance each piece with thematic colors and modern lighting textures to support the emotional arc. Use transitions that feel organic, as if unfolding from within each dancer’s movement, echoing the inner journey of womanhood.

Stage requirement: The performance will need a sturdy floor as most of the choreographies have strong and fast paced footwork.

Required amount of time for tech set up: 1 hour for a technical check focused on lighting and sound.

Alternative Venues: “Where She Dwells: Divinity and the Everyday” is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing it to be adapted to a wide range of venues—from fully equipped proscenium stages to intimate black box spaces and school auditoriums. While the production benefits from theatrical lighting and a sprung floor, it can be modified with simplified tech and spatial reconfiguration to suit non-traditional or low-tech venues without compromising artistic integrity.

Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 1

Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1

Availabilities: 2026/27 SEASON