Dance: Between Strength and Surrender – An exploration of the Nayika’s many dichotomies

Kavya Ganesh is a practitioner of the Indian classical dance form called Bharatanatyam. Her work is deeply reflective of her passion and commitment to bring the rigour and traditions of her form into contemporary dialogue. She is a disciple of leading dance artist from New Delhi, Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan and has also worked with London-based contemporary choreographer, Akram Khan. Extremely dedicated to her craft from a very young age, she is noted for her innate grace and innovative choreographic ideas. She established ‘Kavya Ganesh Company’ in 2025 with the aim of creating novel, unabashedly honest and deeply collaborative work that is rooted in the practice of Bharatanatyam while also expanding the reach of her form amongst audiences.

Her performance will explore the rich emotional landscape of the quintessential Bharatanatyam heroine – the Nayika. Bold yet vulnerable, sensual yet strong – she embodies the many dichotomies of a woman in love. Kavya will present an array of pieces ranging from a varnam to a thumri, each offering unique perspective on what it means to be a woman.