About The Event
Witness Vaibhav Arekar’s compelling dance production exploring how urbanisation, social media and consumerism are reshaping the way we live, connect and consume.
The worlds we create often reveal the truths we avoid. In this thought-provoking dance production, choreographer and performer Vaibhav Arekar, alongside the Sankhya ensemble, examines our growing distance from nature, ourselves and what we truly need.
Across three acts, the performance begins with the changing face of our cities, where lush landscapes steadily give way to grey concrete. It then turns to the carefully constructed world of social media – a space of edited identities, constant comparison and mounting anxiety. Amid this digital noise, the work draws a distinction between being self-centred and centring the self, invoking Shiva as a symbol of the meditative truth within. The final act examines a culture of relentless consumption, where desire has overtaken necessity and malls have become the temples of modern life.
Through movement and poetry, ‘Viyoga’ invites audiences to reflect on the choices shaping the present and the world being left for future generations. Commissioned by acclaimed danseuse Malavika Sarukkai, the work was developed with her creative consultation and premiered in Chennai as part of the Kalavaahini Trust’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Conceptualised and choreographed by Vaibhav Arekar, the production features music composed and arranged by Karthik Hebbar, drawing on the poetry of Kabir, Sant Tukaram, Annamacharya, Da. Ra. Bendre and others. The dramaturgy, lighting and costume design are by Sushant Jadhav, with percussion design by Satish Krishnamurthy. Featured dancers include Anu Christy-Pillai, Eesha Pinglay, Gautam Marathe, Poorva Saraswat, Swarada Bhave and Vaibhav Arekar. Music recording is by Srinidhi Omkar at Shri Omkar Studio.
This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.
