The concept of “abhinaya” in Bharatanatyam is a dominant technique that makes Bharatanatyam and other Indian classical dance styles a distinct form of dance. Bharatanatyam has numerous texts that dive deep into the artistic and spiritual significance of “abhinaya”. The following proposal outlines a performance that interrogates the role of “abhinaya” in a Western lens. I’m interested in experimenting with emotional expression in different dance styles by asking the question: is there a way to express the storytelling that Bharatanatyam utilizes in Western styles of dance? This performance experiments with fusing multiple genres of dance in an effort to connect the dance communities on SLU’s campus. This project seeks to take the help of the other student organizations such as SLU Shakti and Phases of Motion with the aim to bring the diverse artistic groups on campus together to create a performance that not only experiments with the concept of “abhinaya”, but also shows the diverse artistic community present here at Saint Louis University. 

Holly Seitz has been of undeniable help to the creation of this project. She has helped in creating a plan for collaborating with other student groups, brainstorming venues, and overseeing my application for the ILEX Grant. Holly has helped immensely by supporting this idea, which is a reflection of her dedication to SLU's Theater and Dance Department--thank you, Holly!