The Dhananjayans.
“What came before tradition? There was only innovation…” – Anonymous
These ideas propel Navatman Dance, a dance company whose mission is to bring extraordinary, boundary-pushing productions to the stage, making Indian classical dance more accessible to both understand and experience without removing the beauties of tradition and history that the style has developed from.
Navatman Dance is currently in the midst of creating a production tentatively called "Dance of the Animals". Based on the moods and personality traits that certain animals evoke, this full length ballet explores the little battles we fight every day but rarely pay tribute to. Rising star Anand Ananthakrishnan will be composing the music for this full-length dance drama.
Our third full length production is also in the works, called "The Rhythm Within", basing itself on the margam emotional structure rather than its piecewise structure. The main piece, inspired by varnams, explores the nayika/nayaka relationship through more modern eyes. Music for the main piece is composed by Elizabeth Claire Burke, Chitradeep De, and Sahasra Sambamoorthi.
Navatman will be having a small studio showing in winter 2010 to raise funds for the completion of The Rhythm Within and Dance of the Animals. Our next full length stage production is due for 2011.
