Ashta Bhava, Ashta Nritya – Mahabharata’, an artistic production will bring together eight Indian classical dance traditions to interpret eight episodes from the epic
“In the production, each emotion is tied to a particular Mahabharata episode, with the dance forms, stories and bhavas coming together in confluence rather than being presented as separate pieces,” Patil said.
Coordinating team member Gauri Patil said the programme was conceived not only as a Mahabharata retelling but also as an introduction to lesser-performed classical dance forms. Bringing all eight together in one production allows audiences to experience their distinct styles, movement vocabularies and expressions within a single narrative,” she said. As the sutrafhar (narrator) herself, she will guide the audience through the production and linking its different sections,” Patil said.
“Most people are familiar with Bharatanatyam and Kathak, but many classical traditions are not as widely known. “Sattriya exponent Devika Borthakur has developed the concept and brought together the artistes for the production.