Kala Tarka by Sandhya Udupa

Journey with Bharatanatyam artist Sandhya Udupa through a deeply personal dance production exploring the soul's passage through life, death, karma, and different states of existence in a quest for meaning.

What happens after death? Does the soul ever enter the wrong body? What are the consequences of karma? These questions lie at the heart of ‘Kāla Tarka’, inspired by the passing of Sandhya Udupa's grandmother and her own search for answers through dance.

Drawing from scriptural texts, personal stories, psychology, history, and philosophy, the performance imagines the soul as the storyteller, tracing its journey from the universal source through different states of existence – from non-living forms and immovable beings to movable beings – before arriving at the uniqueness of human life. Along the way, it reflects on the meaning of every experience, moment, and choice.

Brought to life through the evocative language of Bharatanatyam, ‘Kāla Tarka’ weaves intellect and emotion together, inviting audiences to reflect on life, death, the self, and our own truths and beliefs.

A distinguished Bharatanatyam artist, Sandhya trained under Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan Sri Chandrashekhara Navada and is currently mentored by Acharya Indira Kadambi. She has also trained in Kuchipudi under Vidhushi Vyjayanthi Kashi, as well as in Yakshagana and Carnatic classical music. A graded Doordarshan artist, trustee of the Udupa Foundation, and curator of the biennial dance festival Nritya Katha, she has performed and conducted workshops across India, the USA, Europe, and Africa.

This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.