Roja Kannan/Kashmira Trivedi @NCPA

An NCPA Presentation

Antaranveshanam – The Search Within

Roja Kannan – Bharatanatyam

Mahātattva – The Great Elemental Principle Brought Alive Through Rhythm and Movement
Multiform – A Production of Takshashila Nrityakala Mandir

Roja Kannan, a senior disciple of Padmashree Guru Adyar K. Lakshman & Padmabhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan is a performer, teacher, choreographer and arts administrator. Her career spans five decades including performances and lecture demonstrations both in India & abroad. She established her Academy of Natyam & and Music “Bharatha Natyalaya” in Chennai (1987) training over hundreds of disciples over 35 years. Kannan has been decorated with several awards and recognitions for her proficiency and contributions in Natyam including Acharya Choodamani, Kala Acharya Sironmani, Woman of Excellence Award, and Best Senior Dancer from the Music Academy & Narada Gana Sabha. She served as the General Secretary of Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India (ABHAI) for 8 years and is currently its President. She is also the Academic In-Charge of the Kalpakkam Dance School, Kalpakkam and the Akhil Diksha foundation for Arts in Ranipet.

The universe is constantly evolving, presenting humanity with countless challenges. People strive continuously to understand these challenges and often seek solutions in the external world. Little do they realize that the answers lie within themselves. By looking inward, analyzing their own thoughts, and understanding the complexities of the mind, they discover that the conclusions and the power to transform their lives are entirely within their own control.

It often takes a lifetime to realize this profound truth. Thus, the Ātman is constantly searching for what already exists within, mistaking the external world as the source of fulfillment.

Antaranveshanam explores the complexities of the human mind and reveals the inner truth through the idiom of Bharatanatyam. It shows the journey from Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga toward the ultimate realization of Jñāna Yoga.

Kashmira Trivedi is a performer, choreographer and teacher of Bharatanatyam, with over 34 years of experience. Trained under Deepak Mazumdar, she has mastered the form, earning her Parangata (Advance) Diploma from Nalanda Dance Research Centre and having studied at Kala Paricchaya and Bharata College of Fine Arts & Culture. Founder of Takshashila Nrityakala Mandir and a Doordarshan-graded artiste, Trivedi has been honoured with numerous awards, including the Kanak Shakti Puraskar in 2024. She promotes artistes through initiatives such as Tarang Utsav and serves as a curator for the Sanskruti Arts Festival and chief coordinator for Maharashtra and Gujarat for The Dance India magazine.

Mahātattva is a unique Indian classical dance production inspired by the philosophy of the Pañcha Mahābhūta—the five fundamental elements of nature. Bringing together five classical dance traditions in a single thematic presentation, the production celebrates the harmony of movement, music, and nature.

• Ākāsha (Space) – Odissi

Choreography: Smt. Nivedita Mukherjee

• Vāyu (Air) – Bharatanatyam

Choreography: Smt. Kashmira Trivedi

• Agni (Fire) – Kathak

Choreography: Smt. Keka Sinha, Smt. Manali Mohite, Smt. Aarti Joshi & Smt. Archana Balakrishnan

• Jala (Water) – Mohiniattam

Choreography: Smt. Saji Menon

• Prithvi (Earth) – Kuchipudi

Choreography: Smt. Kondri & Smt. Meghana Arun

Artistic Curator & Production Director: Smt. Kashmira Trivedi

Conceptualized by: Shri Vikram Kumar Bathina

Curated by Smt. Kashmira Trivedi, conceptualized by Shri Vikram Kumar Bathina, and produced by Takshashila Nrityakala Mandir, Mahātattva reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to artistic excellence, cultural continuity, and thoughtful curation.

Bringing together 35 artists across five Indian classical dance forms under a single philosophical theme, Mahātattva emerges as a first-of-its-kind, concept-driven classical dance production in Thane, reaffirming Takshashila Nrityakala Mandir’s vision of presenting innovative and collaborative classical dance productions.

Box Office now open.