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'MAHĀNATA'

- A narrative unveiled through the Angika of Natyashastra.

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Our 
Production

 

Mahanata: The Dancing Shiva

MAHĀNATA – The Dancing Shiva, an extraordinary celebration of Indian classical dance theatre. This performance draws inspiration from the timeless beauty of the 6th century Badāmi caves and embodies the profound artistry of the Āngika of the Natyashastra (A Sanskrit dramaturgical text). Lakshmi Srinivasan explores the 108 Karanas, experimenting with the movements of the major and minor limbs as described in the Nātya Shāstra. She pioneers a groundbreaking approach to storytelling in Indian Classical dance, using the fluid curvilinear language of Karanās to unravel the narrative of the dancing Shiva while expressing the poetic emotions of Vismaya(wonder) and Adbhuta (surprise), along with the spirituality linked to Shiva Mahānaṭa.

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It begins with a spark...

Lakshmi Srinivasan conceived the idea for Mahanata – Connecting Heaven to Earth, Past to Present during her Master's studies, where she explored the intersection of myth, movement, and memory. Inspired by classical Indian traditions and contemporary storytelling, she developed the production as a bridge between ancient spirituality and modern identity. Mahanata was brought to life in February 2025, generously supported by a DYCP grant from Arts Council England, and presented at the prestigious Nehru Centre in London.

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