Jagadishwar Sukumar

🪔 About

Jagadishwar Sukumar is a prominent Indian classical dancer and choreographer, primarily recognized for his contributions to Bharatanatyam. His journey in dance began at the tender age of five, under the tutelage of his mother, Smt. Renjusha Nair, with whom he continues to learn, emphasizing his belief in continuous guidance from a Guru. He further honed his skills and expanded his knowledge under the esteemed Guru Sri. Parshwanath Upadhye. Sukumar's artistic interests extend beyond Bharatanatyam, as he has also received training in Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Contemporary dance forms, and expresses interest in ballet and belly dancing. A distinctive aspect of Sukumar's artistry is his profound engagement with Karanas, the 108 fundamental movements of Lord Shiva, which he integrates into his choreography. He views learning Karanas as a significant gift in his dance journey, enabling him to create a beautiful amalgamation of movements and emotions. His performance repertoire includes participation in various dance dramas such as 'Sri Krishna leelarnava,' 'Sri Krishna Leelamrutham,' and 'Sri Ramanujam.' A particularly notable project involved a performance on Karanas with his Guru, held in the sacred presence of Lord Brihadeeshwara of Tanjavur. As a choreographer, Sukumar is passionate about creating new works, including his dance production 'Janani,' based on a short story written by his mother. He is also known for his collaborative projects, such as "Iti Margam," a duet performance with Aruna Bhargavi, which premiered in July 2022 and was revamped for subsequent performances in August 2023. This collaboration explores the interplay of masculine and feminine energies within the traditional Margam framework. Jagadishwar Sukumar is recognized as a Bharatanatyam exponent, having presented a Thillana at the 'Chidambaram Season 3' virtual dance festival, which showcases male Indian classical dancers. He actively addresses the societal perceptions and taboos surrounding male Bharatanatyam dancers, advocating for greater sensitization and acknowledging the growing number of men in the art form.