A young Malavika Sarukkai

Knowing the ephemeral as personal and also, as shared, is a gift. “The pandemic engulfed us in a storm of fears and anxieties. Each one of us faced loneliness, worries, and endless uncertainty. But, although unwillingly, we paused to look closely. From climate change and rising violence around the globe to compassion and humanity, we witnessed it all. Through Anubandh, I respond to my observations and reflections at a time when things were hanging heavy,” Sarukkai shares. Recalling the days and weeks during the pandemic as one messy jumble, the 62-year-old dancer notes that conceiving a piece around the panchamahabhutas — earth, water, fire, wind and space — lent her purpose. “I had reason to wake up and find my calling,” she says, further elaborating, “We relate to the elements of nature subjectively. Our interpretations are essentially private. For instance, throughout last year, we have seen fire in a different light. While the grimness of those pictures penetrated everyone, I corresponded feelings to fire and water.” 

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She stresses on how emotions such as the realisation of loss, the depth of sadness (dukha), the soft caresses of the wind (sukha), and the oneness of a space we breathe within (prana) impact an individual, but extend to the collective.

Sarukkai is returning home with Anubandh. She had performed for the first time in Mumbai, and now 50 years on, coming back feels like “life is returning to its beginnings”. In her acts, Sarukkai departs from the Margam repertoire. Will she continue to rethink Bharatnatyam outside of its traditional mould in the years to come? Sarukkai replies, “The dance I choreograph and present is deeply classical. One may observe that over the last 30 years, I have extensively used the classical alphabet of the language of Bharatnatyam. I believe in tradition and change, too, as the latter keeps the inner spirit of the former resilient. However, there are many themes outside the Margam that I find inspiring.” The dancer signs off with the idea that Bharatnatyam, as an ancient dance, requires cautious and sensitive handling, and that’s what she attempts to do. We congratulate the doyen of Indian classical dance. 

On March 12, 6.30 pm 
At Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. 
Log on to in.bookmyshow.com 
Cost Rs 300 onwards