The "Sakhiye" event, held on December 9th, 2023, at the Palimpsest House in Madurai, was an immersive Bharatanatyam performance led by Neela Bhaskar, a dancer trained in the distinct style of T. Balasaraswati. The event was presented by the VAAK Foundation and featured traditional Bharatanatyam pieces that are rarely seen today, following the classical "Margam" format. Neela Bhaskar, who has been dancing since the age of six, brought an intricate understanding of both dance and music to the performance, as she is also a trained vocalist.
The event was part of the larger vision of the Palimpsest House, which serves as a cultural space celebrating various forms of art through curated events. The performance was enriched by contributions from artists like Aswini on Mridangam, Rakesh on Nattuvangam, and vocals by Lashman, creating a deeply sensory experience that explored themes of sensuality, intimacy, and possessiveness through dance and music.
The "Sakhiye" event was not just a performance but a collaborative effort to experiment with and present classical art in a contemporary setting, drawing an appreciative audience into the delicate weave of emotions and tradition.(The Bazaar,Vaak Foundation).
