Mauli – A Timeless Tradition: Bala Devi Chandrashekar on Bhakti, Bharatanatyam and the Power of Collective Devotion

Mauli – A Timeless Tradition: Bala Devi Chandrashekar on Bhakti, Bharatanatyam and the Power of Collective Devotion

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.

What inspired you to choose the Pandharpur wari and the Varkari tradition as the central theme for Mauli – A Timeless Tradition? 

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.

Your works are known for blending shastra, sculpture, music and literature. How did this multidisciplinary approach shape the narrative and choreography for Mauli?

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 wari embodies values like equality, devotion and collective humanity. How did you translate these spiritual and emotional dimensions into movement vocabulary and stage design?

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.

With your global experiences and recognition as ‘Natya Kala Visharadha Ha’, how does this production reflect your artistic evolution, and what message do you hope audiences take away from Mauli?

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.

How do the featured productions at this year’s Sangam Festival showcase the richness and appeal of India’s classical dance tradition to a wider audience?

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.

Event Schedule: Mauli – A Timeless Tradition (All are welcome)

  • 25th December 2025 | 7:30 PM
    Brahma Gana Sabha, TAG Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, PS High School, Mylapore, Chennai

  • 27th December 2025 | 5:30 PM
    Kartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai

  • 4th January 2026 | 5:30 PM
    Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, R K Swamy Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai

  • 9th January 2026 | 5:30 PM
    Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, Chennai

Event Schedule: Sangam Festival 2025

  • 30th December 2025 | 10:00 AM
    Kartik Fine Arts, Bhavan Auditorium, Mylapore, Chennai


Mahindra Holidays Expands Portfolio with New Jim Corbett Resort

Mahindra Holidays Expands Portfolio with New Jim Corbett Resort

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 21, 2026

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading leisure hospitality company, has announced the launch of Club Mahindra Nadiya Parao Resort in Jim Corbett, further strengthening its footprint in Uttarakhand. This marks the brand’s second resort in the region, reinforcing its focus on expanding across high-demand leisure destinations.

The launch is part of the company’s accelerated expansion strategy and aligns with its ambition to become India’s #1 leisure hospitality player. The growth plan is driven by steady resort additions, portfolio premiumisation, and disciplined capital allocation. With Jim Corbett emerging as one of India’s most preferred destinations for immersive, nature-led travel, the new property adds depth to the brand’s presence in the region.

The addition of Club Mahindra Nadiya Parao Resort supports MHRIL’s near-term goal of adding 1,000 rooms by FY26 and contributes to its longer-term vision of scaling to 10,000 keys under Club M and 12,000 keys overall by FY30.

Commenting on the launch, Manoj Bhat, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, said, “Our ambition is to lead leisure hospitality in India, with families at the heart of everything we do. The launch of Nadiya Parao is another step forward in our expansion journey, in a destination where demand is strong and growing. As we expand, we’re not just adding resorts; we’re delivering superior experience, sharpening execution, and building for the future”.

Spread across approximately 10 acres, the 57-room resort blends premium leisure stays with extensive event infrastructure. The property features large landscaped lawns, a banquet hall, and riverfront access, allowing it to cater to a wide range of guests. From holidaying families to destination weddings and corporate offsites, the resort is designed to serve multiple demand segments within a single asset.

With this launch, Club Mahindra continues to strengthen its portfolio while responding to the growing demand for experiential and nature-centric travel across India.


Seclude Willows, Ramgarh Opens as a Pet-Friendly Mountain Retreat

Seclude Willows, Ramgarh Opens as a Pet-Friendly Mountain Retreat

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 21, 2026

Nestled in the calm hamlet of Ramgarh on the edge of the Kumaon range, Seclude Willows, Ramgarh invites travellers to slow down and enjoy a serene mountain escape along with their beloved pets. Surrounded by nature and away from the rush of city life, the retreat offers a setting where both humans and animals can truly unwind.

Spread across 2.5 acres of lush hillside, the boutique property features 11 uniquely themed rooms, wide open outdoor spaces, and an atmosphere that encourages mindful and relaxed travel. As pet companionship becomes an important part of longer and more immersive holidays, the retreat has formally transitioned into a fully pet-friendly destination. While pets have always been welcome at Willows, the experience has now been thoughtfully enhanced to focus on comfort, convenience, and care for four-legged guests.

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The property offers two specially curated stay options: Paw Premium Package and Royal Woof Package, designed to suit different travel preferences. Both packages include pet-friendly accommodation along with essentials such as cosy pet beds with disposable covers, nutritious meals, fresh drinking water, bowls, leashes, towels, napkins, toys, and welcome kits filled with treats to make pets feel at home from the moment they arrive.

To further elevate the experience, guests can opt for guided pet walks, grooming and bathing accessories, pet-safe shampoos, and additional care amenities. These offerings ensure pets are well looked after while preserving the calm and peaceful vibe of the retreat.

Speaking on the initiative, Rohit Sethi, Founder of Seclude Hotels, added, "A vacation feels complete only when the family is together, The pet parents and their babies". With this initiative, we aim to ensure that pets are not just accommodated but truly welcomed and pampered.

With more travellers choosing meaningful and extended getaways with their pets, Seclude Willows, Ramgarh offers a space where guests and their furry companions can relax, explore the mountains, and reconnect with nature together, making it a thoughtful choice for modern pet-friendly travel.


SpiceJet Receives MoU for 10 Aircraft, Targets Major Expansion

SpiceJet Receives MoU for 10 Aircraft, Targets Major Expansion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 20, 2026

SpiceJet has received a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the induction of 10 aircraft, marking another key step in its ongoing capacity expansion and network restoration programme. The move aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to steadily rebuild operations while maintaining cost discipline and operational stability.

The development follows SpiceJet’s Board-approved plan announced last week to progressively scale its fleet to 60 aircraft. This growth will be driven through a mix of wet and damp leases, along with the phased reactivation of grounded aircraft. The latest MoU further strengthens the airline’s intent to accelerate expansion in a measured and structured manner.

SpiceJet’s recovery has gathered pace in recent months, supported by wider network coverage and sharper capacity optimisation. During the last quarter, the airline doubled its capacity, with Available Seat Kilometres (ASKMs) increasing from around 55 crore to 105 crore. This growth reflects improving demand across both domestic and regional routes.

Building on this momentum, the airline plans to more than double its capacity during 2026. By the Winter 2026 schedule, SpiceJet is targeting 220–225 crore ASKMs while operating over 300 daily flights. The expanded capacity is expected to strengthen connectivity across key metro and tier-II markets, improve schedule reliability, and cater to sustained passenger demand.

Commenting on the development, Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said: “Doubling our capacity in the last quarter has been a significant milestone, and the plans we have in place to more than double it further this year reflect growing confidence in the business and strong demand across the network. The receipt of this MoU is an encouraging development as we continue to rebuild and expand our operations in a measured manner. Our focus remains on restoring capacity, strengthening connectivity and improving reliability for our passengers.”

As part of its long-term roadmap, SpiceJet will continue to follow a balanced fleet strategy. By combining the return of grounded aircraft with selective capacity additions, the airline aims to position itself for sustainable growth as the aviation market continues its recovery.

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