Hare Krishna - Vishwa Bharatam

Celebrate Krishna bhakti through Bharatanatyam and Odissi, performed by Sofya Simha and Ananga Manjari.

In the days following Janmashtami, this performance blends Indian classical dance with the devotional heart of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Rooted in 16th-century Bengal, this mystical tradition of Krishna worship was shaped by the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – a saint and reformer revered as an incarnation of Krishna – and has since transcended borders to become a global phenomenon.

The evening features Sofya Simha and Ananga Manjari, two lifelong devotees of Krishna bhakti whose journeys reflect this very expansion. A former national-level Russian gymnast and an Italian-Peruvian ballet dancer, they were drawn to Brindavan and Mumbai by the spiritual magnetism of India and its classical arts. Trained extensively in Bharatanatyam and Odissi, their work is both an offering and a cross-cultural conversation.

Through movement, they explore the soul’s longing for divine love, drawing on the poetry and philosophy of the Vaishnava saints. Each choreographed piece reflects their deep training and personal immersion in the tradition. Presented in their native tongues and through classical forms, their performances honour the rigour of Indian dance and the intimacy of devotion. This is a quiet, powerful journey,where story, faith, and form meet in celebration of a living, and now global, tradition.

Host or Publisher Event Navigator