How Shobana is making Bharatanatyam converse with cinema and comedy

Shobana, a National Award-winning actor and Bharatanatyam dancer, recently brought the ancient Indian art form to life in an unconventional way. At a performance at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, the star turned into the court of King Janaka and danced to contemporary film music, channeling the swagger of Ravana from the Telugu film Jai Lava Kusa.

The performance, part of the annual South Side Story festival, blended traditional Bharatanatyam with modern elements like electronic beats and even Balinese dance aesthetics. Shobana, who has a diverse career spanning Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil cinema, believes that the beauty of art lies in its ability to connect with audiences regardless of their familiarity with the form.

She has often faced criticism from purists for her approach, but argues that the evolution of any art form is inevitable and necessary to remain relevant and engaging. Born into an artistic family, Shobana was introduced to Bharatanatyam at a young age and has since made significant contributions to the field, receiving prestigious awards such as the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.