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By Hariharan U
Published on December 18, 2025
Bharatanatyam exponent Bala Devi Chandrashekar has long been known for her deeply researched, philosophically rooted productions that seamlessly weave together shastra, sculpture, music and literature. Her latest work, Mauli – A Timeless Tradition, draws from the centuries-old Pandharpur wari and the Varkari movement, presenting devotion not as spectacle, but as lived, collective experience.
In conversation with Hospitality News Magazine, Bala Devi Chandrashekar speaks about the inspiration behind Mauli, her multidisciplinary approach, artistic evolution, and how platforms like the Sangam Festival continue to showcase the enduring relevance of India’s classical dance traditions.
The Pandharpur wari and the Varkari tradition inspired Mauli – A Timeless Tradition because they embody an unbroken, living continuum of bhakti that has flowed across centuries without reliance on spectacle or patronage.
At its core lies a radical spiritual democracy, where devotion dissolves distinctions of caste, class and scholarship. The poetry of the Varkari saints offers profound philosophical depth rooted in lived experience rather than abstraction.
The physical act of pilgrimage, walking, singing and surrendering resonated deeply with me as embodied spirituality, aligning naturally with Bharatanatyam’s kinetic language. Mauli emerged as an artistic response to this collective, timeless surrender to Panduranga Vittala.
For Mauli, the multidisciplinary approach allowed the Varkari tradition to be experienced not merely as history, but as a living philosophy embodied in form.
Shastra provided the philosophical framework, while temple sculpture and iconography shaped spatial design, stance and kinetic geometry. Abhanga poetry and kirtan traditions informed the musical and rhythmic architecture, guiding both narrative pacing and emotional contour.
Literature anchored the choreography in lived devotion, translating metaphysical ideas into accessible human experience. Together, these disciplines converged to create a cohesive narrative where movement becomes an act of collective remembrance and surrender.
The values of equality and collective humanity were translated primarily through movement and musical architecture rather than visual spectacle. I consciously employed minimal stage props, allowing the body, rhythm and shared spatial pathways to carry the emotional and spiritual weight of the wari.
Elaborate musical structures rooted in abhanga, kirtan and cyclical laya shaped the collective pulse and guided the choreography. The movement vocabulary emphasised walking patterns, unison phrases and grounded repetition, reflecting devotion as a shared, lived experience. This restraint in design ensured that the focus remained on collective surrender and the inner journey central to the Varkari ethos.
Mauli reflects my artistic evolution towards greater restraint, depth and inner clarity, shaped by decades of performing across diverse global contexts.
The recognition as Natya Kala Visharadha Ha reaffirmed my commitment to scholarship-driven work where tradition is not presented as nostalgia, but as a living ethical force. This production distils movement, music and philosophy into an offering rather than a display, privileging collective emotion over individual virtuosity.
Through Mauli, I hope audiences are reminded that devotion can be egalitarian, participatory and profoundly humane. The enduring message is that spiritual continuity is sustained not by grandeur, but by humility, shared faith and walking together.
This year’s Sangam Festival brings together a thoughtfully curated set of productions that reflect the breadth and vitality of India’s classical dance traditions. From Ananta Nartana, which celebrates expansive ensemble movement, to Vichitra Pradarshini, showcasing distinctive creative voices within a classical framework, the festival foregrounds both continuity and innovation.
Together with Meenakshi, which draws from mythological and devotional narratives, the festival demonstrates how classical dance continues to evolve while remaining deeply anchored in tradition. The diversity of themes, choreographic approaches and ensemble work makes the performances accessible and engaging for a wide audience. Collectively, the productions affirm classical dance as a living art form rich in heritage, expressive in content and relevant to contemporary audiences.
25th December 2025 | 7:30 PMBrahma Gana Sabha, TAG Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, PS High School, Mylapore, Chennai
27th December 2025 | 5:30 PMKartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai
4th January 2026 | 5:30 PMParthasarathy Swami Sabha, R K Swamy Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai
9th January 2026 | 5:30 PMBharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, Chennai
30th December 2025 | 10:00 AMKartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai
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Published on August 22, 2026
Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, hosted an exclusive ‘Rome After Dark’ experience by Victoria’s Secret, marking the launch of the brand’s latest Very Sexy Collection and bringing together fashion, luxury and experiential retail.
Inspired by the romance and mystique of Rome, the launch transformed the Victoria’s Secret store into an immersive setting reflecting the collection’s distinctive aesthetic and after-dark appeal.
Actor Triptii Dimri joined the event as the special guest, adding a celebrity and fashion dimension to the evening. Her presence further enhanced the launch, which brought together the brand’s signature fashion identity with an experience-led retail format.
Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said that luxury retail destinations are increasingly defined by the experiences they create alongside the brands they house. He highlighted the mall’s focus on bringing leading international and premium brands together with experiences designed for an evolving, fashion-conscious consumer.
Shahista Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, added that contemporary luxury is increasingly about being distinctive, relevant and ahead of the curve. She noted that the ‘Rome After Dark’ experience combined fashion, trends and a strong sense of occasion, reflecting the evolving retail environment at Ambience Mall.
The Very Sexy Collection takes inspiration from Rome’s timeless romance and after-dark allure. Through the ‘Rome After Dark’ narrative, Victoria’s Secret has created a retail experience centred around discovery and engagement while retaining the brand’s distinctive visual and fashion language.
The launch also underlines Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s continued focus on premium and luxury retail. The destination brings together international and Indian brands spanning fashion, beauty, lifestyle and dining, positioning itself as a destination that combines shopping with fashion, culture and entertainment.
Over the years, Ambience Mall has also hosted prominent celebrities for brand launches and engagements, further strengthening its role within Delhi’s premium retail and lifestyle landscape.
With Victoria’s Secret’s latest collection at the centre of the evening and Triptii Dimri adding a celebrity presence, the ‘Rome After Dark’ launch showcased how luxury retail is increasingly moving beyond conventional shopping to create immersive and experience-led brand interactions.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
TSG Aura Resort hosted a special lunch for students of Government Middle School, Sitapur, Shaheed Dweep, South Andaman, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The initiative was planned to give the young students a warm and memorable experience. The resort team spent time with the children, interacted with them and shared moments of happiness during the gathering.
More than just providing a meal, the occasion gave the team an opportunity to connect with the students and make them feel valued and appreciated. Through initiatives such as this, TSG Hotels & Resorts continues to engage with the local community and support efforts that contribute to the well-being of people in the destinations where it operates.
Published on August 20, 2026
Reinforcing its strong connection with Assam and the communities that are an important part of India’s tea ecosystem, Jivraj9 Tea Group has contributed ₹12.5 lakhs to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The contribution aims to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by the recent floods in Assam. For Jivraj9 Tea Group, this initiative goes beyond a corporate social responsibility effort, reflecting its commitment to giving back to a region that has played a significant role in the tea industry.
The company believes that Assam’s contribution to the tea sector extends beyond tea production, with its people, communities and ecosystem forming an essential part of the industry’s journey.
Viren Shah, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Jivraj9 Tea Group, said “Our relationship with Assam is rooted in tea, but it goes beyond the tea that is sourced from the region. It is a relationship with the people, communities and ecosystem that have made Assam such an important part of India’s tea story. We have always believed that when a region contributes to your business and your industry, you have a responsibility to contribute back to it as well. Our contribution to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a small step from our side towards supporting the relief efforts and the people affected by the floods.”
Sharing his thoughts, Pathik Shah, Executive Director (ED), Jivraj9 Tea Group said “Our responsibility does not end with producing and delivering quality tea. It also extends to recognising and supporting the ecosystem that makes our industry possible. Assam has given enormously to the identity and strength of Indian tea. At a time when people across the state are facing difficulty, we wanted to contribute towards the collective relief effort in whatever way we could.”
Assam remains one of the most important tea-growing regions in India, with its unique geography, climate and rich tea heritage shaping the identity of Indian tea. The state has supported generations of communities whose livelihoods are closely connected with the tea industry.
Jivraj9 Tea Group’s association with Assam reflects its connection with the origins and value chain of the tea it delivers to consumers across India and international markets.
Through this contribution, the company continues to focus on building meaningful relationships across the tea value chain while supporting the communities and regions that play an important role in its journey.
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