INDIA FINE ARTS AUSTIN is
proud to present a Mega Dance Production, YAVANIKA
(Screen of Illusion).
Choreographed
and performed by Priyadarsini Govind, the production features dancers Apoorva
Jayaraman, Shweta Prachande, and a talented ensemble of 10 artists. It is
directed by Sruti Harihara Subramanian with music composed by Rajkumar Bharath
About Yavanika
What
is the Self, riddled by the worldly? The physical body encases the Self, veiling
it from its source. Maya (illusion) shrouds the body, affirming the deception
of an independent identity. Yet the Self, appearing separate, is no different
from Brahman—the Supreme Consciousness.
“Aham
Brahmasmi” – I am Brahman (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 700 BCE).
Layer
by layer, as the curtains of human life part, the Ultimate Reality is revealed.
Yavanika—meaning curtain or screen—explores this profound relationship between
the Self and the Supreme.
Concept and Choreography
Conceived
as a full-length Bharatanatyam production, Yavanika takes audiences on the
elusive journey of the Self toward the Supreme. It features pan-Indian poetry
across multiple languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Tamil,
resonating with the voices of saints and poets from the 14th to the 21st
century.
While
rooted in Bharatanatyam, each of the seven compositions has its own soundscape,
rhythm, and movement vocabulary, creating unique flavors and atmospheres. The
production reimagines music and movement with the vision of presenting Indian
Classical Arts to diverse audiences across the world.
About Priyadarsini Govind
Priyadarsini
Govind is a renowned Bharatanatyam artist, mentor, and performer whose work
bridges deep tradition with modern expression. Abhinaya (expressive
storytelling) lies at the heart of her artistry. Through her performances and
mentorship, she has become an influential force in preserving the relevance of
Bharatanatyam in today’s world.
Event Details
The
production will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the
Westlake Performing Arts Center, 4100 Westbank Drive, Austin, TX.
Watch nd Learn More
Watch
a preview of the production on Facebook
or Instagram.
To learn more, read an interview
with Priyadarsini Govind on Apsaras Arts.
