Dance: The Bridge Between Human and Divine

What began as a pursuit of Good Name in dance evolved into a journey of living with the Divine.

From the age of six, dance has been my companion—a journey of passion and self-expression. I’ve been fortunate to represent my state at national forums and earn recognition across the country. Yet, despite the accolades, there came a time when the applause and good name did not excite me anymore, leaving me searching for something deeper.

That depth came to life when I ventured into Choreography starting with the one I choreographed for Chidambaram Dance Festival. This Festival is a dream stage for every dancer, where Lord Shiva is in his eternal dance form. I chose the story of Nandanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars), a devotee whose tale is deeply rooted in the sacred soil of Chidambaram. My prayer was simple: that at least one person in the audience should connect with Nandanar’s devotion and experience transformation.

For six months, my day started and ended with my Divine, worked for several hours yet felt so fresh at the end of the day, innumerable conversations and guidance for choreographing the dance. I asked questions, imagined emotions and placed myself alternately in the shoes of Nandanar and the Divine. I felt I earned the remuneration even before I went on stage in the form of valuable time spending with my Divine. 

By the day of the performance, I felt prepared, but what happened on stage was beyond anything I could have planned.

Dancing in the divine vibrations of Chidambaram, under the gaze of thousands, my practiced choreography gave way to something entirely different. The music, the energy from the audience and the presence of the Divine took over. My movements flowed, unplanned yet perfectly attuned to the rhythm. I felt as though I had been granted the privilege to step into Nandanar's journey, experiencing his devotion and emotions as my own. 

When the performance ended, a woman in her sixties ran to me, tears streaming down her face. She fell at my feet, declaring that she had seen the Divine and felt Nandanar’s presence through my dance. I remembered my Prayer in the beginning and realized it was answered. At that moment, I knew that the purpose of my art had shifted—it wasn’t about the applause or personal recognition anymore. It was about creating a bridge for others to connect with the Divine.

Since then, my dance has become a sacred tool, a form of devotion and transformation. With each performance, my prayers have grown bolder. In my next choreography, "Krishna's Echoes," I prayed not for just one person to feel their Divine, but for every single person in the audience to take a step closer to their God. 

"Dance, at its highest form, is a dialogue with the Divine."