Sharanya Chandran’s Hymns to Hara was more than a performance, it was a profound tribute to Lord Shiva, blending tradition, personal devotion and artistic grace in a moving return to the stage, says Sakshi Priya
The stage was set, the lights dimmed and the air filled with anticipation as Sharanya Chandran stepped gracefully onto the Stein Auditorium stage. What followed was not merely a dance performance but a spiritual journey, an exquisite expression of devotion, emotion and divine energy.
In her solo Bharatanatyam presentation, Hymns to Hara, Sharanya Chandran paid tribute to Lord Shiva. The term Hymns to Hara refers to devotional songs or praises dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is often called "Hara," meaning "the remover" or "destroyer of evil" in Sanskrit. This title perfectly encapsulated the performance, as it was a spiritual offering through dance, celebrating the multifaceted aspects of Lord Shiva, his power, love and divine qualities. From the very first moment, it became evident that this was much more than a dance, it was a deep exploration of the divine, a celebration of devotion and a portrayal of the complex emotions evoked by Lord Shiva. Sharanya’s depiction was powerful and moving, capturing the essence of Shiva’s multifaceted nature.
As the daughter of the renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Geeta Chandran, Sharanya has long been admired for her ability to infuse depth and emotion into her performances. In Hymns to Hara, she explored the many dimensions of Shiva, his compassion, his wrath, his fearlessness and even his more unsettling aspects. Each emotion was brought vividly to life through Sharanya’s precise movements, her expressive face and her profound understanding of the Bharatanatyam tradition.
What made this performance particularly meaningful was the personal connection Sharanya brought to it. After a hiatus from the stage, Hymns to Hara marked her return to performing and it was clear how much the experience meant to her. The performance was a tribute to her grandparents, both devout followers of Lord Shiva, making it a poignant expression of familial love and devotion. Additionally, the evening carried personal significance for Sharanya as it coincided with her ten-year anniversary at J-PAL South Asia, where she successfully balances a career in development alongside her passion for dance.
The beauty of Hymns to Hara lay in Sharanya’s ability to work together with various elements of Indian culture. Drawing inspiration from poems and verses in Tamil, Maithili and other languages, she crafted a vivid portrayal of Shiva’s complex character. The traditional Bharatanatyam pieces were carefully selected, creating a cohesive and visually captivating performance.
Throughout the evening, Sharanya was accompanied by her mother and guru, Geeta Chandran, who provided the rhythmic beats of the Nattuvangam. The live music, featuring K Venkateshwaran on vocals, Manohar Balatchandirane on the Mridangam, Varun Rajasekharan on the ghatam and G Raghavendra Prasath on the violin, enhanced the emotional depth of the performance, adding an even greater spiritual resonance to the evening.What set Sharanya’s performance apart was not just her technical prowess as a dancer but her ability to connect with the audience on a deeper level. Her dual life as a policy professional and a dancer gave her work a unique perspective, adding richness to her portrayal of themes such as duty, devotion and the search for meaning.
In Hymns to Hara, Sharanya Chandran did more than just perform Bharatanatyam, she invited the audience into her world, a world shaped by family, faith and art, where tradition and personal history beautifully intertwined. It was a performance that touched the heart, leaving the audience not only in wonder of her talent but deeply moved by the sincerity and emotion she poured into every step.
