Choreography
SET IN STONE
Watch here : Set In Stone (2023)
‘Set in Stone’ is an interdisciplinary duet by Sreya Muthukumar that explores the mysteries surrounding the figure of the ‘apsara’ or celestial nymph, in Indian mythology’s and by extension the brown ‘dancing woman’ today. What is authentic, what is expected, and what happens when no one is watching her? Who gets to be a museum piece, and who puts them there? This piece brings together elements of Indian Classical dance, modern dance vocabularies and an eclectic sound score, exposing the gaze with which we sometimes view these dancing bodies.
MIND/MATTER
Watch here : Mind/Matter (2022)
Mind/Matter was choreographed by Sreya Muthukumar for the First Year Dance Company at the University of Michigan. The work is an exploration of the inside of our minds, the worlds we hold inside ourselves, uncovering both frightening, disruptive energy as well as joyful, softer edges. Blending styles like modern, jazz and improvisation, this performance shows the versatility of Sreya’s choreography, testing the dancers’ musicality and retention.
SUBMERGED(2021)
Watch here : Set In Stone (2023)
“SubMerged” is a work that takes the structure of the classical Indian piece and infuses it with contemporary meaning. A 'javali' is usually performed as a narrative about a 'nayika' or heroine, and her relationship to her lover. Sreya, through abhinaya or expressive dance, places this character in situations of climate crisis and water shortages. What happens when water becomes personified in the role of the lover? What strength will this character draw on to forge ahead and find survival? What does this say about the global collective and the invisible strings that tie us together?
Set to Soro (Afriki), an African song reimagined by jazz group Snarky Puppy, this eclectic work is truly universal in its appeal.
THE MUSEUM OF HER (2024)
Watch here : Mind/Matter (2022)
Sreya Muthukumar's MFA thesis work is an ambitious interdisciplinary project that fuses the vibrant physicality of Indian dance with Western music, contemporary theater, and elements of traditional dance-drama. Set against the backdrop of a museum, this experience delves into the complexities of female identity in a postcolonial world, challenging the impact of the male gaze on perceptions and expressions of ‘beauty’ and self-concept. Through movement and music, The Museum of Her explores themes of conditioning, perfection, isolation and solidarity, serving as a call for the reclamation of feminine bodies.
The Museum of Her invites audiences to ponder the dichotomy of how women are seen versus how they see themselves. Inspired by traditional feminine aesthetics across cultures, the production juxtaposes these scenes with the landscape of internal experience, exploring the gap between perception and reality.
