Ekatvam: When two artistic journeys become one

The stage at Ravindra Bharati came alive with grace, rhythm and philosophy as classical dancers Nidhaga Karunad and Rachana Karanik presented ‘Ekatvam’ during the Ardhanareeshwaram Festival, curated by Prof. Alekhya Punjala and organised by the Telangana Sangeeta Nataka Akademi in association with the Government of Telangana. More than a dance recital, ‘Ekatvam’ celebrated the idea of oneness—where two individual artistic voices converged into a single, compelling narrative.

For both dancers, the journey to ‘Ekatvam’ has been one of years of rigorous training, unwavering discipline and a deep spiritual connection with dance.

Nidhaga Karunad’s artistic foundation was laid in Bharatanatyam under Dr. Suparna Venkatesh before he expanded his repertoire by training in Kathak under Guru Mysore B. Nagaraj. His exploration of Indian classical traditions also led him to Yakshagana under Guru Srinivasa Sastha. Beyond structured learning, he enriched his artistic sensibilities by working alongside and learning from some of India’s finest classical dancers, including Nirupama Rajendra and T.D. Rajendra, Anitha Guha, Padma Shri awardee Malavika Sarukkai and Padma Shri awardee Prathibha Prahlad.

Rachana Karanik’s journey has been equally immersive. She received her early training from Nirupama Rajendra and T.D. Rajendra before continuing her education under Parshwanath Upadhye. She is currently honing her craft under the guidance of Rama Venugopalan, embracing the philosophy that learning in classical dance is a lifelong pursuit.

For the duo, dance has never been confined to movement or performance. It has always been a way of life—a path of discipline, devotion, self-discovery and spiritual expression. Their decision to perform together evolved organically as they discovered how naturally their artistic visions complemented one another.

As Nidhaga explains, ‘Ekatvam’ is “not just about dancing together; it is about sharing energy, storytelling and presenting art from two perspectives that merge into one artistic experience.” That artistic synergy was evident throughout their performance, where technique and emotion blended seamlessly.

For Rachana, every performance leaves a lasting impression because every audience offers a new lesson. While prestigious festivals, international performances and spiritually significant venues hold a special place in her heart, she believes each stage contributes to an artist’s evolution.