“Sarasa’s paintings, are much more her, than her... Over the few years that I have had the good fortune to observe her paintings, I have come to a conclusion, that there are parts of her, that she would not share with anyone, as she would, only through her paintings. That is what makes her art- works so powerful and fragile at the same time. After all, that is what most artists can only dream to achieve, to unlock the intimate within the universal.”
Sarasa Krishnan is an Indian classical dancer, visual artist and author who has performed, exhibited and lectured in Europe, UK, USA, Australia and Asia.
"My work, be it through paintings, dancing or writing, investigates the ancient Rasa Theory of Sage Bharata and expounds the notion of 'change in consciousness' in its 'observers' or participants.
The artist through her movement investigates ‘intention’ through colour and the dancer engages rhythmic energy-colour patterns that fuse to create movement. This methodology is ‘in’ performance, underpinning theoretical observations through direct, corporeal, and subjective experience; an experience that enacts a change in consciousness experienced in a present- tense moment.
Through this lived inquiry of the dancer- visual artist, the role and effects of the observer or Self in the Quantum theory and Vedantic philosophy is explicated. It establishes the important foundations Rasa has, in a holistic view of the universe and our relationship to it and re-claims that this profoundly metaphysical view of art and Rasa as a philosophical and spiritual vision, is significant for a re-visioning of theatre itself as well as a way of being."
-Sarasa Krishnan
The power of the image, whether static as in a painting, or animated as in dance, invokes often unusual or unasked questions as to its visual semiotics and philosophical underpinnings.
- Sarasa Krishnan
An exhibited visual artist, she has presented solos in dance/visual art performances in Paris, France, Florence Italy, United Kingdom and Singapore, under the auspices of private galleries, theatres and Festivals. Sarasa was awarded the prestigious "Natya Acharya" (Professor of Dance) in 2003 by His Holiness Swami Shantanand Saraswati, founder of The Temple of Fine Arts International.
In 2014, Sarasa published her first book entitled Bharata's Karanas that is based upon the 108 Karanas in Sage Bharata’s Natya Shastra. The book explores the intimate connection between philosophical enquiry and artistic endeavors, and their arguably parallel journey in unveiling the diversely complex and multifarious processes involved in perception, awareness and insight in cognizing experience.
In 2016, Sarasa was awarded her PHD at Murdoch University, Perth, that explored the role and function of the observer in a staged performance, with particular reference to the Indian aesthetic theory of Rasa, and its effect on what we mean by consciousness.
She is the Artistic Director and Vice-Preseident of Saraswati Mahavidhyalaya , and is currently working on her second book, based on her doctoral thesis.
Featured Work
A snapshot of creative expressions that continues to inspire me.
Dancing with paint
A saturation of expression is reflected by the movement of paint upon the canvas. What if I converted my energy to paint?
SaHridaya
A syncretic, mosaic interpretation… an interweaving of systems of thought, sometimes seemingly diverse, is the core of my work.
Shakti - The Eternal Energy
Manifestation of Sacred Feminine energy in its male and female dimensions, is explored through dance, poetry and painting.
Instagram Stream
Thought Leadership
The following are some of Sarasa's thoughts
Featured
