Did going to the Jacobs Pillow Festival in the U.S. contribute to this idea?
Coincidentally, I was invited to this festival, which has been declared as a Heritage Festival. It’s in its 72nd year in the U.S. and each year people who are legends in their countries are invited. I was asked to do a whole season lasting for a week. This was also the time I felt the need to do something new for the season and being a graduate of the Madras University, I wanted to do something about the Senate House. It seemed to tie up with the theme I wanted to present about an artiste who was also a philanthropist. How do you approach your choreography? The language of Bharatanatyam is so eloquent that you can express any idea. Dance should speak to its audience. There is no need for any ideological message. I have specialised in abhinaya and I know its impact on audiences everywhere. My work “Banyan Tree” is quoted in almost every dance researcher’s pieces in the U.S. and England because it had a path-breaking theme. Similarly I hope this one will compel people to choreograph biog
