Classical dance performance dedicated to Lord Shiva

Bharatnatyam dancer Sharanya Chandran enthralled audiences with her solo performance, Hymns to Hara, recently. Through this captivating presentation, Sharanya delved into the multifaceted nature of lord Shiva, exploring the diverse emotions he evokes: Love, awe, devotion, valour. Hymns to Hara featured a carefully curated selection of Bharatnatyam repertoire, woven together to celebrate the divine.
Sharanya has drawn inspiration from a rich tapestry of Indian literature, incorporating poems and verses from languages such as Tamil, Mythili and more. This diverse selection reflects the multifaceted nature of lord Shiva and the cultural richness of India. Speaking about the performance, Sharanya Chandran said, “This is a particularly special performance for me. It marks my return to the stage after a hiatus and I was excited to reconnect with my audience. Additionally, it is a tribute to my grandparents, both ardent Shiva bhaktas, as we celebrate their birth centennials.”
Sharanya was accompanied by her mother and guru, Padmashri Geeta Chandran, on the Nattuvangam, K Venkateshwaran on vocals, Manohar Balatchandirane on the Mridangam, Varun Rajasekharan on Ghatam and G Raghavendra Prasath on violin.
Disciple and daughter of Geeta Chandran, Sharanya has been learning Bharatnatyam since she was four, and has grown in and with Natya Vriksha, an institution promoting classical Indian performing arts founded by Geeta Chandran. For over three decades, Sharanya has continued to learn, choreograph and perform – both solo and group formats (as an integral part of the Natya Vriksha Dance Collective) to diverse audiences in India and overseas.