‘Janani: Celebrating Motherhood’ is a poetic tribute to the nurturing spirit that shapes our world. This evocative evening of storytelling, movement, and music is led by the creative brilliance of exponents Indira Kadambi and Sujata Mohapatra, offering a performance that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. 

In the first part, Indira Kadambi presents a richly layered Bharatanatyam production – Matru – The Infinite Cord – that delves into the many facets of motherhood. Woven from the very fabric of creation, Matru is the sacred cord that binds the cosmos to the cradle, the divine to the mortal, the soul to the soil. It pulses through the unseen womb of the universe, echoes in every quiet sacrifice, and blossoms in the generous embrace of the Earth. This cord threads through time in every act of love, letting go, or holding close. Matru reveals an unbroken thread of resilience, sacrifice, and boundless love – an eternal bond beyond time, form, and self – brought to life through a soulful dance presentation. 

Indira, an eminent Bharatanatyam artist with international acclaim, brings her depth as a performer, choreographer, and dance educator to this visionary work. She is joined by husband T.V. Ramprasadh, a Carnatic stalwart whose resonant voice and artistic mastery add a profound sonic dimension to the performance; son Vishnu R, an award-winning composer and inventor of the NAVTAR® – a groundbreaking 9-string instrument that blends Carnatic microtonality with the harmonic richness of jazz; and daughter-in-law Dr. Ramya Suresh, Kadambi’s dynamic disciple and a rising star known for her graceful stage presence and powerful expression in nritta, nritya, and abhinaya.  

In the second part, the stage transforms as Sujata Mohapatra brings the lyrical elegance of Odissi to the fore. A dancer of rare depth and devotion, Sujata pays tribute to motherhood through movements that are both spiritual and intimate. As the disciple and daughter-in-law of the late Padmavibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra, she carries forward the rich legacy of one of Odissi’s most iconic masters. Her performance, shaped by decades of dedication, is a poignant homage to divine stories and maternal experiences. 

She is joined by her daughter Preetisha Mohapatra, a gifted dancer who began her training under her legendary grandfather and now continues under the guidance of her parents, Sujata and Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. Together, mother and daughter embody the transmission of knowledge, love, and tradition across generations, expressing a sacred bond that resonates not only within families, but across the lineage of classical Indian art. 

Through the expressive power of dance, this showcase invites the audience to reflect on the profound essence of motherhood, leaving behind a renewed appreciation for the nurturing forces – both human and cosmic – that sustain and shape our very existence.