We met under strange circumstances… with the arc lights beaming on our painted faces as we stood in front of the camera, posing to the world as if we were a real family. Time passed by and what seemed to be an ACT turned out to be in a very strange, yet profound way, REAL. We were a group of collective chaos that is waiting for a reason to express, to communicate, to explore and through that to leave behind something meaningful. We realized that it was DANCE that had kept us together and hence to take this special bond to a whole new level ‘ARNAVA’ was born.
ARNAVA means an ocean; deep, mystical and an estuary of many rivers. Each member of Arnava is like a river flowing into the ocean; an ocean of mystic mixes and unfounded depths. The great ARNAVA of art called out to us move beyond the conventional idioms of individualistic expression, and experience the bliss of collective art. Hence, shedding the regular practice of ‘solo performances’, we have come together as a group.
Aarnava is a dance ensemble that seeks to produce a collective art experience through the divine art form of Bharatanatyam, mellifluous Carnatic classical music, the robust rhythm of the mridangam, the soothing melody of the flute and the sublime jingle of the anklet bells…
Each member of ARNAVA comes from a different shade of this divine canvas of Bharatanatyam. Seetha (Vazhuvoor and Mysore school of dance), Dhanyashree (Mysore school of dance) and Sushmitha (Kalakshetra dance tradition) have come together break such distinctions and to explore a new grammar for communicating through dance.
Vid. Satyanaarayana Raju, known for his impeccable class dedication and to classical dance in its purest form, is now working closely with ARNAVA as their Mentor and Guru. With Guru and dear friend Satya’s guidance, ARNAVA intends to take on a meaningful journey.
Many great artists stand by ARNAVA to support and guide us in through this exhilarating path. We are grateful to Guru R. K. Padmanabha, Vid Satyanarayana Raju, Vid. Shashidhar Kote and many other dignitaries for being the means of support and strength to ARNAVA.
Together we seek
