Noted dancer Savitha Sastry is a visionary, story-teller and globe trotter, who successfully merges contemporary conflicts with the centuries-old dance form. She creates a unique niche for her by virtually constructing a renaissance of the ancient art form. Her performances have made her a household name in the arena of bharathanatyam. Her various productions — Soul Cages, Yudh and The Prophet — stand testimony to her unique style of presentation.
Her recent presentation Chains — an innovative presentation in the field of performing arts — take a look at a woman and her life. Through her presentation, she showcased how a woman’s decisions are moulded more by external factors than personal. This thought-provoking episode, in which she seamlessly merged tradition with improvisation, was an ode to womanhood.
The production analyses the real freedom of choice that our society gives us, and explores the age-old question and socially-conditioned thought — is there room in a woman’s life to do what she wants to do, or is her life compromised to suit the expectations of her family and society she lives in?
The production, which was based on writer Srikanth’s trilogy, is accentuated by the musical score of Rajkumar Bharathy, and clubbed magnificently with the narrative.
Savitha Sastry delivered the raging and tumultuous tale of bondage with grace and lucidity. The final effect became the visual epiphany.
How did she conceive this excellent presentation? Savitham, who is a student of Adayar Lakshmanan and Dhananjayan, and holds the distinction of being the dancer to have brought out a revolution in the way bharathanatyam is presented, after Rukmani Devi Arundale, says, “Choreography is an integral part of the dancer’s evolution and is best internalised by the dancer. I want to bring the art alive even amid an audience which is not that interested in the classical Indian dance forms.”
The programme delivered the message of real freedom with the much-needed delicacy, sensitivity and a voice of hope. It revealed her creative sensitivity and urge to recreate a new era, redefining the dance form and its philosophy.