STAND-UP NATYAM
by Kavya Ganesh
Chennai
Project Description
Stand-Up Natyam merges Bharatanatyam and stand-up comedy into a genre-defying dance-theatre experience that is rooted in Indian dramaturgy, charged with popular culture and made for bold storytelling
Expected Impact
Stand-Up Natyam' seeks to redefine how traditional Indian art forms are perceived, experienced, and celebrated as well as to address pressing questions through the lens of comedy. By blending Bharatanatyam with stand-up comedy, live crowd-work, and elements of pop culture like rap and beatboxing, the project disrupts long-held binaries between the 'classical' and the 'popular,' the 'sacred' and the 'everyday' - all the while using comedy to bring into conversation pressing questions. It is both an artistic experiment and a cultural intervention - one that opens the doors of classical performance spaces to wider, more diverse audiences. In India, classical art forms often come wrapped in niche codes - of language, elitism, and formality - that can alienate the uninitiated. 'Stand-Up Natyam' dismantles these barriers by using humor, relatability, and contemporary language while staying rooted in the narrative techniques, aesthetics, and physical vocabulary of Bharatanatyam. In doing so, it invites both the traditional rasika and the newcomer to find common ground in shared laughter and story. By including beatboxers and rappers on stage alongside mridangam artists and classical dancers, the project creates a fluid, collaborative platform where different art forms converse rather than compete. It is not a mindless "fusion" but a studied encounter. It aims to shift perceptions - challenging the idea that classical equals untouchable or outdated, and that popular culture lacks depth or discipline. The intended impact is twofold: to preserve and evolve classical storytelling by opening it up to present-day forms and voices, while keeping its essence intact. To also show new generations that these ancient tools of expression are still urgently relevant and enjoyable, if initiated appropriately. In the long run, the dream is to work for enough funding and grow 'Stand-Up Natyam' into a high quality Broadway-esque show comparable to the likes of 'The Book of Mormon' show (not in content but simply in scale and precision of presentation). I hope it will inspire audiences to celebrate the immense potential of Indian performance arts and foster a creative space in India that brings tough topics to light through the lens of sensitive comedy. A space that is intercultural, interdisciplinary, and deeply human - where tradition is not a museum artifact but a living, breathing, and entertaining presence on stage.
Applicant Background
Shaped by my work with renowned dance artists such as Rama Vaidyanathan, Mythili Prakash and Akram Khan, as well as my training at Yale Drama School with theatre practitioner Blake Hackley, I have begun creating a unique body of work that is representative of my innovative approach as an artist. I have been performing professionally since I was 15 years old. As a choreographer, I have created experimental and critically acclaimed works that have been presented in esteemed festivals such as the Erasing Borders Festival NYC, SWEAT festival Hong Kong, Chicago Film Festival, and NMACC Mumbai. Some of my previous works include: 1. "Dancing to Her own Tune" reimagines the Bharatanatyam "varnam" to feature a feisty independent woman of today as opposed to the traditional pining heroine who is often the protagonist of these pieces. Featuring an all-women ensemble of live musicians, the vocabulary included mime and several interactive segments. 2. "Man - Predator or Prey" is a dance film that won the Emerging Artist award by the Drishtikon Foundation. 3. I created and staged a small seed version of Stand-Up Natyam (which I hope to redevelop in a completely new and improved manner with this grant) which involves out of the box collaborations. Hence, I have experience producing a wide range of bold shows from scratch with varied collaborators which have gone on to perform in some notable venues and garnered good audiences. My initial training in dance was under SNA awardee and leading dance artist Rama Vaidyanathan, along with whom I have toured across India and USA performing in stages like the NCPA Mumbai and Konark Festival. I am also touring with renowned London-based contemporary choreographer Akram Khan across Europe in 2025 with his last company production, 'Thikra'. The tour includes the world's best performing arts venues such as Theatre de la Ville (Paris), ImpulsTanz (Vienna), Sadler's Wells (London) among others. These extensive tours and performance experiences have given me keen insight and practical experience on the process of making a show, the tech support involved and the varied dynamics of live performance. This combined with my steadfast determination and burning passion, makes me an ideal artist to see my vision through.
Resources Needed
- Funding
- Mentorship
- Visibility
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