Ahimsa the Eternal Journey

In this Bharatanatyam production, Uma Sathyanarayanan reflects on non-violence as a lived, embodied force, as she draws on stories from Indian epics and spiritual traditions.
Rooted in the classical tradition of Bharatanatyam and enriched by original music, spoken word, and theatre, the evening is a meditative new work by dancer, choreographer, and composer Uma Sathyanarayanan. Framed as an intimate exchange between a mother and child, the performance draws on stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Jain and Buddhist traditions to explore Ahimsa (nonviolence) not merely as restraint from harm, but as a radical, active force – compassion in motion.
 
Anchored in the expressive depth of Bharatanatyam, the piece reflects on ancient ideas through a contemporary lens, weaving in texts such as the Manusmriti and Parashara Smriti. Uma’s choreography, shaped by her musical sensibility and grounding in theatre, invites audiences into a layered experience of gesture, voice, and philosophy.

A senior disciple of Guru Chitra Visweswaran and founder of Vishuddi Arts, Uma is known for her reflective approach to performance and her ability to bring classical form into dialogue with modern thought. With ‘Ahimsa’, she offers not just a performance but a quiet provocation to see tenderness as strength and peace as practice.
This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.

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