Sarasa Krishnan is an Indian classical dancer, visual artist and author who has performed, exhibited and lectured in Europe, UK, USA, Australia and Asia. Sarasa’s unique style of painting is movement based and uses rhythm to infuse colour onto canvas. Her work reflects the philosophy, aesthetics and the metaphysical abstractions of the Indian tradition. While her exploration of movement-on-canvas with movement- in-space, within uncommon performance structures have been well received around the world, her large canvases, elucidating complex metaphysical concepts, kindle a rare and intense energy in the viewer.
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 endeavours, and their arguably parallel journey in unveiling the diversely complex and multifarious processes involved in perception, awareness and insight in cognising 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.
Sarasa is the Artistic Director and Vice-President of Saraswati Mahavidhyalaya , and is currently working on her second book, based on her doctoral thesis.
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“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.”
— Akram Khan, Dancer/Choreographer (UK)
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“Choreographer Sarasa Krishnan has created a fascinating ensemble dance, as vibrant in colour and execution as it is interesting in its sources and influences... It’s a feast for the senses in every possible way.”
— British Theatre Guide, Edinburgh
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"I first met Sarasa Krishnan in my capacity as Dean of the School of Performing Arts at the Western Australian Academy of Perform- ing Arts. Sarasa was already an accomplished dancer in the Indian classical tradition and sought to inform her work as a performer and artistic director by undertaking studies in ballet and contemporary dance. This growth and development has continued with her exploration of visual arts mediums including painting and media arts and she has now gained international recognition for her inter-disciplinary arts practice. Deeply rooted in Spirituality and Philosophy Krishnan’s research adds a profound and enduring component to her existing legacy as a great artist."
— Duncan Ord, Former Director General, Department of Arts and Culture Western Australia