Bala Devi Chandrashekar to Present Mauli – A Timeless Tradition in Chennai

Chennai: Internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, scholar, and professor of practice Bala Devi Chandrashekar will premiere her latest operatic dance-theatre production, Mauli – A Timeless Tradition, in Chennai this December.

Rooted in meticulous research and inspired by Indian philosophy, temple architecture, and classical literature, the production explores the sanctity and humanity of the Pandharpur heritage. Conceived, choreographed, and presented by Bala Devi herself, Mauli pays homage to the timeless values of equality, devotion, and motherhood central to the Varkari sampradaya.

Symbolically retracing the 250-kilometer wari pilgrimage from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur, the work evokes the spiritual footsteps of saints and countless Varkari devotees who undertake this sacred journey each year.

Speaking about her inspiration, Bala Devi said: “Through a powerful confluence of Bharatanatyam, music, poetry, and layered narrative imagery, Mauli brings alive the crescent embrace of the Chandrabhaga River and the luminous presence of Panduranga-Vitthala. The production invites audiences to move beyond observation, transforming them into antar-yatris – inner pilgrims – journeying through a landscape where philosophy, everyday life, and devotion merge seamlessly.”

A Distinguished Legacy

Based in Princeton, New Jersey, Bala Devi Chandrashekar is a globally respected Bharatanatyam artiste and research scholar. A senior disciple of Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, she is celebrated for her research-driven approach that integrates shastra, sculpture, music, and literature into immersive productions.

She has performed across more than 35 countries, including at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, cultural showcases aligned with the Paris Olympics, and leading institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Her repertoire includes 12 critically acclaimed productions such as Nandanar Charithram, KrishnaArpanam, Tripura – Divine Feminine, Karna – Destiny’s Child, Brihadeeswara – Form to Formless, and Maa – The Eternal Truth. Each work illuminates themes ranging from temple heritage and epic literature to ecological wisdom and bhakti poetry.

Event Schedule – Chennai Performances

• 25 Dec 2025, 7:30 PM – Brahma Gana Sabha, TAG Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, PS High School, Mylapore
• 27 Dec 2025, 5:30 PM – Kartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore
• 4 Jan 2026, 5:30 PM – Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, RK Swamy Auditorium, Mylapore
• 9 Jan 2026, 5:30 PM – Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore