Sahana Selvagnesh’s Tide: The Weaver’s Loom tells modern stories through Bharatanatyam

Tied: Weaver’s Loom – a thematic Bharatanatyam presentation by Sahana Selvagnesh – was a blend of classical terminology and contemporary storytelling. The story is based on the story of a woman suffering from infidelity and domestic abuse. Forced to leave when she becomes pregnant, she raises her child independently. It bore the allegory of a weaver’s loom – based on imagery from the handloom traditions of India. This presentation was at the Jharna Utsav organized by Bharat Kalanjali.

The presentation referenced weaving through poetry, music and choreography. It included Kabir’s poems as well as newly composed Sanskrit and Tamil compositions. Although thoughtfully chosen and musically vibrant, the metaphor of weaving and the hero’s journey did not integrate seamlessly, sometimes running on parallel tracks rather than dramatically reinforcing each other.

The choreography included newly composed Sanskrit and Tamil pieces as well as poems by Kabir. | Photo courtesy: Srinath M.

One innovative aspect was the use of props. A cloth idol representing the husband was decorated with silk-thread ornaments. As the story progressed, the dancer removed each jewelery and wore them to symbolize the stages of marital conflict, before discarding them to mark the end of the relationship – adding an experimental, dramatic dimension.

However, the balance between classical Bharatanatyam structure and contemporary expression was not achieved. In some places, adherence to classical terminology and musical format appears to limit the expressive importance demanded by the modern theme. A slight recalibration might have allowed the avant-garde elements to resonate more strongly.

Innovative props and weaving motifs shape Sahana Selvagnesh’s latest production at the annual Jharna Utsav. | Photo courtesy: Srinath M.

A particularly strong section depicts the weaving process itself. The dancer demonstrated a clear understanding of the craft, translating its physicality into concrete movement within the Bharatanatyam framework. These routes were the most aesthetically pleasing. TV Sukanya’s imaginative violin and sensitive tuning of the compositions along with Uma Satyanarayanan’s assured vocal support contributed significantly to the effectiveness of the presentation.

In its one-hour runtime, the production attempted to cover many aspects of the hero’s journey – betrayal, abuse, abandonment, pregnancy, resilience and self-reliance. However, this structure meant that many emotional situations came up only briefly, as the narrative moved rapidly from one episode to the next. As a result, the intensity felt somewhat diffuse. Focusing more sustained attention on selected pivotal points can strengthen the emotional connection and deepen the impact of the work.

Overall, the work was ambitious, musically and conceptually rich, with moments of amazing creativity. The thematic intention was strong and socially relevant.