Zodiak and Lydia Touliatou offer an opportunity to get to know classical Indian Bharatanatyam-dance before the premiere of Lydia Touliatou's piece ATROPOS. The workshop is led by Gayathri Menon who is a dancer, a choregrapher and a teacher of classical Indian dance.
Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical Indian dances. The goal of this workshop is to introduce the participants the foundational elements of Bharatanatyam. In the workshop we explore how the rhythm, gesture and facial expression communicate narrative and emotion. The workshop offers a hands-on experience of classical Indian dance through a contemporary choregraphic lens. You get to explore the culture of classical Indian dance creatively in an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
Read more of Lydia Touliatou's premiere ATROPOS here.
Structure & content of the workshop:
1. Introduction & Context
Brief history and cultural significance of Bharatanatyam
Role of mudras, adavus, abhinaya, and narrative in Indian classical dance
2. Warm-up & Basic Postures
Grounding techniques and body alignment
Foundational stances like aramandi and samapadam
3. Core Technique: Rhythm & Expression
Practice of basic steps (adavus)
Introduction to mudras (hand gestures)
Expressive movement through abhinaya (facial expressions and storytelling)
4. Choreography Segment
Learn a short choreographed piece to a contemporary Indian movie song
Apply learned vocabulary (footwork, gestures, expression) into a semiclassical blend
5. Reflection & Q&A
Open sharing space for impressions and questions
Discussion on how classical elements can evolve in contemporary performance
About Gayathri:
Gayathri Menon is a versatile dancer, choreographer, and passionate teacher specializing in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, and semiclassical dance. She began her training at the age of five under esteemed gurus and has performed extensively in both Finland and India. As the founder of Fusia Performing Arts, she is dedicated to promoting Indian classical dance through teaching, performance, and workshops. Her artistic excellence has been recognized with several honors, including the Young Talented Artist Award from the South Zone Cultural Centre, Government of India, and the Akavoor Narayanan Memorial Award for Kathakali.
