Ānanda:

Dance of Joy

Presented by Christopher Gurusamy

A presentation of South Indian classical dance re-imagined

In this Australian premiere of Ānanda: Dance of Joy, internationally acclaimed Bharata Natyam dancer Christopher Gurusamy reimagines the traditional format with his contemporary perspective. This recital presents a captivating combination of rhythm, melody, and movement that celebrates dance as a universal path towards joy.

’Ānanda’ is a Sanskrit word meaning the place in which one finds bliss. Drawing from Hindu philosophy, Indian poetry, Carnatic music, Western pop culture and the human experience, Ānanda is a journey through the repertoire of this famed South Indian dance form synthesised through a contemporary Australian voice. One of Bharata Natyam’s foremost international exponents, Christopher deconstructs the classical form to create a compelling experience for the audience.

Ānanda traverses the many shades of Bharata Natyam: from the fast-paced movements set against complex time structures, to the bliss attained through devotion, to the sensuous expressions of a lover’s yearning - all within the intimacy of the Eternity Playhouse.

Based between Sydney and Chennai, Christopher is one of the trailblazers of his generation having performed classical and original works extensively within India and globally.  Born in Perth, he has emerged as one of the most popular and critically acclaimed Bharata Natyam soloists in the world.

REVIEWS:

"To watch the Bharatanatyam dancing of Christopher Gurusamy is to see an age-old genre recharged, brilliantly revitalized from within."
– Alastair Macaulay, New York Times

"What makes Chris so interesting is that he is both a classicist and a rebel. He is a master of the classical, who can confidently and creatively play with its form to produce ground-breaking new work that honours its origins but is also wholly original."
– Shankari Chandran, 2023 Miles Franklin winner