The programme began with spiral images reflected on the wide screen obtained from a series of processed video images sourced from the architecture of the Bharatanatyam body. At the sound of the mridangam that created an atmosphere of a temple pooja, Lall, 30, who stood resplendent in a rather unconventional black corset stepped down. Moulding her body aesthetically, she signalled the opening of Toran (the gate top-covering decoration in ancient temples).

But it took just a few more tender steps of navigation before the choreography changed, almost theatrically. In one of the pieces, Lall repeated her performance on the right hand side of the stage. “It was to find ways of playing with light and to highlight the body as a silhouette. The difference is marked when you perform in opposite directions with different formations,” said Lall whose next performance will be at Bangalore’s Ranga Shankara auditorium. Each of the six pieces was intercepted by a light display, which took seven months to make. As Thadani, 47 said, “What you see are textured projections that suggest the interiors derived from the unfolding dance. It tries to recreate the architecture of the ancient temples where it was performed in the past and Anusha connects with it in her dance”.