Entertainment · Books & Arts · 2 hrs ago
Bharatanatyam production adapts Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Jyotirgamaya brings Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull to the Bharatanatyam stage in a production presented at The Music Academy during the Provoke Art Festival 2026.
Choreographed and produced by Jayanthi Subramaniam, it follows Jonathan, a seagull who wants to fly higher rather than live only to find food.
His flock banishes him for challenging its traditions and refusing to accept a life limited to that daily struggle.
The dance shows Jonathan practising and improving, using movement and music to convey his growing skill and changing emotions.
The story also explores a teacher’s bond with a student, as Jonathan meets an Elder Gull who teaches him about life and flight.
The production draws on ideas of discipline, compassion and the freedom to pursue one’s aspirations.
It adapts a modern novella through a classical Indian dance form, a way some dancers have used to connect traditional styles with contemporary audiences.
Jyotirgamaya, a Bharatanatyam production based on Richard Bach’s novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull, was presented at The Music Academy.
The production was part of the Provoke Art Festival 2026.
Choreographed and produced by Jayanthi Subramaniam, it used the story of a seagull pursuing flight to explore freedom, practice and life’s higher virtues.
Sumithra Subramaniam portrayed Jonathan, while Jayanthi Subramaniam played the Elder Gull.
- Who
- Jayanthi Subramaniam choreographed and produced the work, and Sumithra Subramaniam portrayed Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
- What
- Jyotirgamaya adapted Richard Bach’s novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull as a Bharatanatyam production.
- When
- It was presented recently; the article was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The Music Academy, as part of the Provoke Art Festival 2026.
- Why
- The production explored the pursuit of aspirations beyond limitations, as well as practice, love, forgiveness and compassion.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Classical dance forms moved from temples and royal courts to the concert stage.
Jyotirgamaya was presented at The Music Academy as part of the Provoke Art Festival 2026.
The opening scenes depicted a river, fishermen and gulls searching for scraps of fish.
The flock admonished Jonathan and banished him, after which he continued his quest and encountered two luminous gulls and the Elder Gull.
- Production
- Jyotirgamaya
- Source novella
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
- Venue
- The Music Academy
- Festival
- Provoke Art Festival 2026
- Choreographer and producer
- Jayanthi Subramaniam
- Music composer
- Rajkumar Bharati