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A Guided Framework for Choreographing Sangam and Tamil Bhakti Poetry
An advanced mentorship program for senior Bharatanatyam dancers working with literary material and original choreography.
Choreo Companion provides a structured yet flexible process for creating original choreographic works. Conceived and led by Karuna Sagari, this offering integrates literary inquiry, musical design, and iterative choreographic exploration.
This program combines scholarship, structure, and dialogue with space for artistic intuition. It is a place where you can think out loud, test ideas, brainstorm, and refine your work with guidance that honors both the poetry and your own artistic intention.
Currently focused on Tamil Sangam and Bhakti poetry, the program is designed to accompany artists from the earliest stages of text engagement through to completed choreography.
ABOUT CHOREO COMPANION
Program Framework
Part One: 4 sessions
Literary Grounding and Musical Design
Chapter Iyal (Literature) : 2 sessions of 75 mins each
You begin by immersing yourself in Tamil Sangam and Bhakti poetry.
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Each dancer reads and brings a set of 10-12 poems in translation.
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Together we reflect on these texts: what resonates, what themes emerge, and why we are drawn to certain verses.
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Through discussion and scholarly readings, you learn to navigate the layers of meaning, narrowing down to a few poems that feel most urgent for you.
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The process includes engaging with Tamil language through transliteration, even for those less familiar, so the original sound and rhythm of the text remain present in the choreography.
Chapter Isai (Music) : 2 sessions of 75 mins each
Once the poetry is chosen, we explore the musical possibilities that will shape your piece.
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Which parts of the text unfold naturally into choreographic segments?
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Where can it flow as free verse (virutham), and where does it call for percussion or structured tālam?
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Which rāgams feel true to the text?
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Do you already carry a swara pattern that fits?
Through these discussions, you begin to sketch the musical scaffolding of your choreography, creating a reference diary that
can also serve as a foundation for collaboration with musicians.
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Note: Part One can be taken independently, and
many dancers find that this stage itself reshapes their creative practice.
Part Two: 4-6 sessions
Choreographic Process and Embodied Meaning
Chapter Natakam (Dance): 75 mins per session
In Part Two, we step into the choreography itself, drawing on the literary and musical frameworks you built earlier.
Session themes include:
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Being, Feeling, Saying: How to embody protagonists, understand the emotional terrain, and make deliberate narrative choices.
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Intentional Nritta: Where abstract movement enhances or holds space for meaning.
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Combing Through: Reflecting on where technique serves the author’s intention and/or your interpretation.
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Review and Rework: Iteratively refining, revisiting earlier choices, and clarifying what the piece must say.
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This phase is not linear but cyclical. You will keep revisiting earlier decisions, refining gestures, and deepening meaning.
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Note: Part Two can only be taken after completing Part One, since the choreographic process grows directly out of the literary and musical insights developed there.
PLEASE NOTE:
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Part One (Iyal & Isai) consists of four sessions (2 sessions on Literature + 2 sessions on Music). To begin the sessions, participants are required to enroll and make payment for all four Part One sessions in advance.
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Part Two (Natakam) consists of four choreography sessions and may be undertaken after completing Part One. Fees for Part Two is payable separately prior to commencement.
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Any additional meetings beyond the scheduled sessions (for example, meetings with musicians or collaborators) will be arranged and priced separately, based on prior discussion and mutual agreement.
Program Guidelines
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The full program typically runs over 8 sessions (4 for Part One, 4 for Part Two).
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Part One may be taken independently. Part Two requires prior completion of Part One.
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Sessions are reflective and iterative, with independent work expected between meetings.
The Reason behind Choreo Companion
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Choreographing new work is both exhilarating and overwhelming. Working with Sangam and Bhakti poetry is a gift, but it is also complex. The texts are dense with history, layered meanings, and cultural nuance. Navigating this alone can feel like trying to enter a vast ocean without a guide.
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Choreo Companion exists to make that journey less isolating. It is built to be a safe and rigorous space where you can explore, articulate, and test your choreographic ideas with someone who deeply understands both the literary terrain and the demands of Bharatanatyam.
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Creating new choreography is never just about producing steps. It is about finding a balance between text, music, and embodied meaning, and having the courage to keep refining until the work feels intentional and personal. This program was born from the recognition that dancers often need an anchor, a companion, in this journey.
How to apply?
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Choreo Companion is currently open only to dancers working with Tamil Sangam or Bhakti poetry. Applications are reviewed selectively to ensure close, focused mentorship.
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Future editions may expand to include other literary traditions as the framework matures.
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To Apply please fill the application form below.
*Intake is selective and limited, focused on experienced Bharatanatyam dancers with choreographic intent.