Tales from the Bull and the Tiger

Padma Shri Ananda Shankar Jayant’s acclaimed Bharatanatyam production endearingly encapsulates the stories of Shiva , as narrated by his vahanas—Nandi and Simha—to the children, Ganesha and Skanda.
What stories lie at the heart of this Divine Family?
Will they tell us about Him and Her?
Will it be the story of a wedding?
Will it be the poetic descriptions of their exquisite physical forms—their Saguna Rupam, or will we see their esoteric form—Nirguna Rupa?
Will they speak of Her, the Divine Feminine?
Or will they eulogize His formless, esoteric form of pure energy that quelled the ego of even the Gods?
Will they take us to watch the Universe pulsate in dance with Him?
Nandi and Simha—what stories will the Bull and the Tiger tell us?

In ‘Tales from the Bull and the Tiger’, choreographer Ananda Shankar Jayant encapsulates the Divine Family, whose many tales are presented by two storytellers through timeless poetry, music, and dance that illuminate devotion, philosophy, and the pulsating energy of the cosmos.

Drawing from Sanskrit and Tamil literature, as well as the compositions of the great Vageyakaras, the production is bound together by a soundscape crafted by Sathiraju Venumadhav, with jathis by IV Renukaprasad. Design elements include costumes by Ganesh Nallari, jewellery by Deepa Krishnamachari, lighting by Surya Rao, and digital design by Gunjan Ashtaputre, with English narration by Jayant Dwarkanath.
 
Performed by the ensemble of Shankarananda Kalakshetra, with acclaimed Bengaluru dancer Mithun Shyam in the lead, the production has been praised by critics as riveting and stunning. One of India’s foremost Bharatanatyam exponents, Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Ananda Shankar Jayant has led Shankarananda Kalakshetra for over four decades, creating landmark productions that bridge tradition and contemporary thought. With ‘Tales from the Bull and the Tiger’, she continues this journey, offering audiences a profound experience of movement, meaning, and a glimpse into our timeless knowledge.
 
This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.  

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