Aug 19 2025 to Aug 19 2025 7 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

At the edge of legend and longing, two women wait for the same god.

Kalatra is a dance-theatre work that reimagines the story of Murugan and his two consorts (Valli and Devanai) not as divine footnotes, but as women bound by love, rivalry, and fate. In the classical Hindu tradition, Murugan’s union with both is a symbol of completeness, of sacred balance. But in Sri Lanka’s local poetic lore, a quieter, more human story unfolds.

The journey begins in Kataragama, where Murugan is worshipped not just by Hindus, but by Buddhists, Muslims, and indigenous tribes. Each finds a reflection of their own devotion in his form. Here, the story of Valli takes root, even as the shrine of Devanai turns away. Locals say she cannot bear to see her lord walk each night to Valli’s side.

Blending Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance, Kalatra draws from mythology, regional poetry, and imagined memory. Presented by the Keelaka Dance Company, conceived by Jyotsna Shourie and Aneesha Grover, with music by Daniel B George, OS Arun, and Madstarbase.

A performance where myth breathes, and devotion speaks!

Supported by:

Performers

Jyotsna Shourie
Director
Jyotsna Shourie is an internationally celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and choreographer, who has remained committed to the art form for over 6 decades. Shourie has been known to push the boundaries of classical dance, and has conceived several critically acclaimed dance productions that have been well received in all corners of the world. She has won several awards for choreography including GOLDS at the New Prague Dance Festival and Grand prix Italia. She is the founder of The Dance Centre where she has trained over 200 students in the art of Bharatanatyam. She also is the founder of the Keelaka Dance Company

Aneesha Grover
Director & Dancer
Aneesha Grover is a New Delhi-based Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and producer, celebrated for her bold and experimental work in classical dance. Having begun her training at age 7, Aneesha has since performed extensively across the UK, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Spain, and Italy. Her artistic voice is rooted in Bharatanatyam but extends far beyond tradition- merging movement, theatre, film, spoken word, and immersive storytelling.

In 2024, she founded Keelaka Dance Company with her mentor, Guru Jyotsna Shourie. Their productions are known for reimagining Indian mythology and goddess traditions through a contemporary, feminist lens. Aneesha’s work has sold out venues across India, with standout pieces like SAKHI, UNMASKED, KALATRA and Echoes of Time -the world’s first interactive classical dance production where the audience moved across 11 sets and witnessed the 4 yugas of vedic history and herstory.

Aneesha was recently incubated by the Serendipity Arts Festival to create M(other)hood, a performative lecture exploring her personal postpartum journey through the Navarasa. Her latest works continue to push the boundaries of classical dance, including ULALUME – an eerie, genre-defying foray into horror within the Bharatanatyam space. Through her evolving body of work, Aneesha is crafting a powerful, contemporary vocabulary for classical dance that resonates with a new generation of audiences.

Nandita Kalaan
Dancer
Nandita is a Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher known for her technique, poise and rhythm. Having performed all around the world since she was a young girl, Nandita has a stage presence that captivates audiences. An award winning performer, she has won international awards such as “outstanding dancer at the New Prague Dance festival” in Czech Republic. Nandita is now training students to learn the complex art of Bharatanatyam and is known for her unique and experimental approach to teaching. An accomplished interior designer, her creative endeavours span multiple disciplines.

Amrita Sivakumar
Dancer
Amrita Sivakumar is a Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher from New Delhi. A post- graduate from Rukmini Devi Arundale’s ‘Kalakshetra’, Amrita has had the privilege of performing, choreographing and teaching Bharatanatyam for the past 13 years. Amrita Sivakumar is the HOD of Performing Arts Department in a full time school, and runs her own Bharatanatyam dance school “Kalamrita – School of Bharatanatyam” in Dwarka, New Delhi. Her motivation has always been to pass on the knowledge of Bharatanatyam to future generations.

Benjamin Jacob
Dancer
Benjamin Jacob, is a renowned contemporary artist from Delhi. He spent his early years of training under the guidance of Ashley Lobo. In 2017 and 2019 he received a scholarship to study dance in Germany and London under the mentorship of some of the finest teachers in Europe. He has over a decade of experience in performing, teaching and choreography composition. He is also the artist director of Jacob’s Dance Company which was set up in 2020.

Joe Mathew
Dancer
After an MA in Dance Performance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance, London, Joe came back to Delhi intent on contributing to the booming dance culture in India. He is a freelance Dancer and Music Producer working all over Delhi NCR, since 2021. Trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Contemporary his core practice involves fusing Contemporary and Hip-Hop as well as incorporating his ability to beatbox and produce music. A Multi-Disciplinary Performer with a penchant for producing diverse pieces of work through Research and Collaboration.