Bharatanatyam can be just as grand as a Broadway show: Roopa P Doraswamy
'Progressing from law to the arts was and easy'
Roopa's shift from law to classical dance production was easy. 'Dance has always been a part of my life. I did my arangetram at ten. Even while practising law, I kept coming back to class or supporting small shows.' After producing a major show earlier this year, something inside her clicked, bringing her back to dance.
'There is no rule that says Bharatanatyam can't be grand'
'Even as a child, I was drawn to the drama of festivals and dance-dramas. Watching Broadway musicals abroad made me wonder why Bharatanatyam can't have that scale?' Though her latest production uses theatrical elements, the movement remains rooted in tradition.'That's
my training and our choreographer's strength,' she shares.
Many of our dancers are engineers or architects who've found a second calling in dance. I've spent decades in the corporate world myself. Bengaluru allows artistes for that duality
- Roopa P Doraswamy
'Language is no barrier in the arts'
The production incorporates Kannada, Sanskrit, and Tamil, while being anchored in Kannada.'Our scriptwriter and composer are from Mysuru. Kannada flowed naturally because the story belongs here.' Tamil reflects the Srivaishnavite connection, and Sanskrit appears in chants. English narration adds accessibility. 'When everything you don't need translation,' she adds.
'Technology helps in enhancing the story'
From AI-generated visuals to immersive light design, the production uses technology with precision. 'We were clear from the start: dance comes first. If the movement doesn't connect, no amount of visuals can rescue it. Technology fills narrative gaps. When we can't enact something live, we use visuals. It sets the mood, builds the atmosphere, but the artist remains at the centre', explains Roopa.
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