Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
This short film by Siva Chandran follows Sukania, a master dancer and devoted teacher of Bharatanatyam—one of the oldest classical dance traditions in the world. Rooted in South India, Bharatanatyam is an intricate art form of rhythm, expression, geometry, and storytelling, where every gesture, gaze, and footstep carries meaning.
Set in the heart of modern Singapore, the film explores how this ancient tradition continues to live and breathe within an urban metropolis. Through Sukania’s discipline, grace, and commitment to her students, Bharatanatyam is not merely preserved—it is embodied and passed forward. It is a portrait of lineage, devotion, and the quiet power of cultural memory carried through movement.
Film Maker
Siva Chandran
Singapore
Siva Chandran is a Singapore-based filmmaker and video editor with over 17 years of experience across broadcast drama, variety shows, travelogue documentaries, commercials, music videos, and independent projects.
He edited the Singaporean Tamil-language feature film My Magic (2008), directed by Eric Khoo, which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and selected as Singapore’s official submission to the Academy Awards.
His early interest in cinema was shaped by the music of Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja, whose film scores and symphonic works introduced him to the emotional relationship between sound and image.
Siva is drawn to documentary and observational storytelling. Alongside his professional work, he teaches media production to students and continues collaborating on independent projects. As an ethical vegan, he is also interested in stories that reflect conscious and thoughtful ways of living. He hopes to direct a feature film someday.
Film Master
Sukania
- Craft
- Dancer
- Country
- Singapore
From a young age, Sukania has been immersed in the art of Bharathanatyam, a South Indian classical dance form. After graduating from Bhaskar’s Academy, she continued to cultivate her practice through the hereditary Tanjore lineage and the Tanjore Bani, while also exploring the Vazhuvoor Bani. She has deepened her understanding of the form through Natya Shastra, learning how Bharathanatyam can remain rooted in tradition while speaking to contemporary audiences.
She has performed extensively in Singapore, India, and Malaysia, appearing at museums, cultural events, temples, and temple festivals. Alongside performance, she leads regular classes at her school, Mathangi Naatya, and conducts thematic workshops and co-curricular programs, fostering meaningful engagement with the art form for students of all ages.
As a teacher and performer, she encourages students to connect deeply with tradition while discovering their own creative voice. She views Bharathanatyam as a holistic discipline that cultivates artistic expression, intellectual and literary insight, and physical, mental, and emotional well-being, offering a path to both personal growth and creative fulfillment.