chitra (2021)
The sanskrit word, chitra, translates to picture and is the name of a lunar constellation that is symbolized by the transformative process in creating a bright jewel. Like the heat, pressure and tension needed in the creation of a bright jewel, my body has often experienced moments of discomfort, and resilience to seek balance, connection, and self-expression through classical dance. Using the framework of rhythmic exchange, the work, investigates a dialogue between a musician and dancer as well as an internal push/pull of a body negotiating between pre-conceived structures and the curiosity to explore beyond what is know.
This work has been presented at CanAsian’s Grit Short Dances Festival and supported by CanAsian Dance and Sampradaya Dance Creations.
“At times, her movements are introspective, restrained and even hypnotic….In other moments, the performance is flashy and unrestrained…”
- Stories of Struggle and Triumph Underscore GRIT: Short Dances by Joshua Chong
Credits
Commissioned by CanAsian Dance for GRIT Short Dances Festival (2021)
Supported by CanAsian Dance and Sampradaya Dance Creations
Choreography: Purawai Vyas
Performers: Purawai Vyas (dancer) and Neena Jayarajan (musician)
Music: Neena Jayarajan, Lakshminarayana Subramaniam
Dramaturg: Suma Nair
Director of Videography: Sid Sawant
Production Assistant: Rachana Joshi
Videography and Editing: OnUP Productions, Purawai Vyas
Photo Credit: Sid Sawant (OnUp Photography)
Press
Chitra takes its name from the Sanskrit word for "picture" and the lunar constellation associated with the transformative process of creating a radiant jewel. Drawing on this symbolism, the work explores how moments of pressure, tension, and uncertainty can become catalysts for growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
Created through the framework of rhythmic exchange, Chitra investigates the dynamic relationship between dancer and musician, revealing a dialogue that is at once collaborative and deeply personal. The work examines the body's ongoing negotiation between inherited structures and the impulse to move beyond them, balancing discipline with curiosity, tradition with experimentation.
Rooted in Bharatanatyam while embracing contemporary approaches to rhythm and improvisation, Chitra reflects on the ways artistic practice can become a site for transformation. Through intricate rhythmic conversations and embodied storytelling, the work invites audiences to witness the continual process of seeking balance, connection, and self-expression within—and beyond—the boundaries of form.