Belagu Jaava
Kannada Poetic Dance Album
Belagu Jaava was a poetic dance album based on the work of Da. Ra. Bendre, one of the most significant poets of modern Kannada literature.
The project explored Bendre’s connection between nature, everyday life and the quiet joy found in the experience of morning.
The composition was performed by Trisha Shetty, who chose Bendre’s poem because of the imagery of a flower blossoming and the awakening of a person with the morning. She was particularly drawn to the way the poem connects the beauty of the morning with ordinary life and transforms that everyday experience into a poetic expression.
The visual interpretation was approached through Indian contemporary movement and Natyadharmi kriyas. Trisha’s intention was to retain a sense of softness and continuity through the movement, allowing the choreography to follow the gradual unfolding of the poem rather than treating it simply as a conventional dance performance. Ujwal UV directed the visual presentation and also assisted with the choreography.
The shoot was scheduled for 21 November 2020 at 6:00 AM in Malemar, Kottara Chowki, with the early-morning setting complementing the central imagery of the poem. The production team included Sujith SK as cinematographer, Sukesh as cinematographer and editor, Murali Abbemane for still photography, Akshay Shetty for poster credits, Trisha Shetty as the artist and Ujwal UV as director.
Belagu Jaava brought together Kannada poetry, contemporary dance and visual storytelling, translating Bendre’s poetic observation of morning and nature into a short visual performance.
