Bhakti Natya Niketan

Bhakti Natya Niketan Founded by Karuna Sagari, Bhakti Natya Niketan (BNN) offers Bharatanatyam classes for students of di

As a school of the Indian performing arts, Bhakti Natya Niketan draws inspiration from the arasa maram (peepul tree or the bodhi tree). When a breeze ripples through the arasa maram, each leaf dances individually though nurtured by the same root. BNN aspires for each of its students to retain their individuality, fostered and nurtured by the parent institution.

14/04/2026

Pudumai is a space for choreographic conversations where I sit with the artists to pause, reflect, and look closely at their work, uncovering the ideas, choices, and processes that shape a piece.

Conversations about choreography become essential to understand how meaning is built, stretched, and reimagined within a classical form. Pudumai is my way of offering space for more such conversations between dancers, rasikas and curious minds!

In the first episode we delve into Meera Sreenarayanan’s Danike Varnam - a piece that had me filled with so much admiration and intrigue.

Have you seen this piece? What was your experience of it?

The mentorship space has become one of my favourite places to return to. It lets me explore my practice and my teaching ...
09/03/2026

The mentorship space has become one of my favourite places to return to. It lets me explore my practice and my teaching at the same time. It holds seriousness, but it also holds warmth. It asks for practice, but it also makes room for inquiry.

I am opening a 12 PM IST slot for the next round.

If you have completed at least two mārgams, and you are looking to refine your Bharatanatyam practice with more clarity, texture and intention, you can apply here:
karunasagari.com/mentorship

Jagannathashtakam is a piece that received so much love from all of you and has always been a favourite of mine! I am ex...
16/02/2026

Jagannathashtakam is a piece that received so much love from all of you and has always been a favourite of mine! I am excited to be conducting a workshop on Jagannathashtakam once again this year as many of you also showed a lot of interest in learning this piece.

I invite you all to explore with me Jagannathashtakam, a Sanskrit composition attributed to Adi Sankara and uttered by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that reflects the bhakta’s longing to draw the cosmic Lord Jagannatha close, not as a distant deity, but as a cherished companion in love and devotion.

This workshop is an opportunity to enter that sacred space to embody emotion, surrender, and intimacy through Abhinaya and intentional Nritta.

I look forward to holding space where each of us can listen deeply, respond, and connect from within.

Dates: 14, 15, 21, 22 March, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM IST
Venue: Zoom (Online)

For more details and to apply, click on the link below:
www.karunasagari.com/jagannathashtakam-workshop-march2026

As this year begins, I have been reflecting on last year and where I want to focus my energies in this one. With the pos...
30/01/2026

As this year begins, I have been reflecting on last year and where I want to focus my energies in this one. With the postpartum series coming to an end, I have gained a renewed sense of respect for my body. I look back at last year: the first week began with my daughter coming into the world, and the last week ended with a performance at Narada Gana Sabha. Grateful for all the support from above and around.
This year holds the promise of a book release, podcasts, and many performances. This year has given me a theme that will inform all my creative pursuits. - “nuanced noticing”.

Stay tuned.

I will be on Instagram only to share my art and insights, so please don’t expect prompt replies. Connect with me over the phone, email, or even better, over coffee!

Yours,
Karuna



[Post Partum, Bharatanatyam, Performances, Artists in Chennai, Dance, Performing Arts]

30/01/2026

Dancing at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre was a cherished moment—a comeback Margam after my daughter!

The intimate venue featured excellent technology, and I was grateful for a phenomenal, receptive audience—thank you, Mumbai. Special thanks to Anand Satchidanandan for the invitation, and to my musicians for making it immersive. (mention them)
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[Margam performance, Bharatanatyam, Mumbai, Mumbai arts, NMACC, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Margam]

This Margazhi, it gives me great joy to be a part of the Isai Natya Nataka Vizha 2025 by Narada Gana Sabha. I will be pr...
18/12/2025

This Margazhi, it gives me great joy to be a part of the Isai Natya Nataka Vizha 2025 by Narada Gana Sabha. I will be presenting a Bharatanatyam recital at the Main Hall, Narada Gana Sabha on 27 December, 2025 at 1:45 PM.

This performance will be accompanied by live music and I am grateful to share the stage with some amazing musicians.

All are welcome and I really hope to see you there!

I am excited to be presenting my first performance in Mumbai at NMACC on December 5, 2025. I will be presenting a Margam...
20/11/2025

I am excited to be presenting my first performance in Mumbai at NMACC on December 5, 2025. I will be presenting a Margam alongside wonderful musicians, Srikanth Gopalakrishnan on the Vocals, Gayathri Rajaji on the Nattuvangam, Gurubharadwaaj GV on the Mridangam & Nandini KP on the Violin.

I look forward to seeing you all at The Cube Theatre at 7:30 PM.

Click the link below for tickets:
https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/bharatanatyam-margam-by-karuna-sagari/ET00470460

11/11/2025

Postpartum Practice diaries (16/45):

As I work on a new svaram, I am intrigued about the various ways the mind thinks about the fixing dance for a fixed part of the musical composition.

The first svaram in the second half is usually a very short one. So how does one keep it fresh? While trying out various patterns, there is still comfort in some parts which automatically gets fixed in a particular phrase (The Tat Dhit ta in this context).

Would love to hear about how you work with your svaras.

Yours,
Karuna

*I am not a postpartum trainer, please don’t try my routine. It is solely based on my body’s readiness for practice.

04/11/2025

Postpartum Practice diaries (15/45):

A glamour-less comeback to solid dancing:

I wanted to design my practice to be very predictable and consistent. Most of my practice days start with 3 - 4 adavus. One Alarippu or Jathisvaram, one piece that I have practiced soooooo many that my body just breezes through, a little bit of what I want to create and/or what I want to improve.

The road almost feels flat and does not have any dramatic improvements. It has been very much about showing up. I am working towards a Margam in the last week of December and that will be before my daughter turns one. Hope to be chipping away all the way!

Chittaiswaram of Rupamu Juchi - an all time favourite.

Yours,
Karuna

*I am not a postpartum trainer, please don’t try my routine. It is solely based on my body’s readiness for practice.

I am excited to conduct this Abhinaya workshop, 'Kannan en Sevakan'. If you are wondering what you will learn, swipe to...
28/10/2025

I am excited to conduct this Abhinaya workshop, 'Kannan en Sevakan'. If you are wondering what you will learn, swipe to know more.

To sign up and learn, visit karunasagari.com

Address

507, D B Road, R S Puram
Coimbatore
641002

Telephone

+919791909200

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