Anant Rekha: The Poetry of Mathematics

Kathak exponent Swati Sinha turns numbers into poetry in motion, reimagining India’s mathematical brilliance through rhythm, expression, and the timeless language of dance.

What if numbers could dance? In this conceptually rich Kathak production, choreographer and performer Swati Sinha transforms India’s mathematical legacy into a journey of rhythm, geometry, and imagination. From the stillness of śūnya (zero) to the spirals of ananta (infinity), the work explores how ancient Indian thinkers saw mathematics not merely as calculation, but as a reflection of cosmic order.

Rooted in the classical idiom of Kathak, the choreography uses movement, rhythm, and abhinaya to embody mathematical thought. Chakkars evoke infinite cycles; footwork mimics calculations through Jāti bhed and layakari; and structured floor patterns reflect grids and the logic of place value. Inspired by figures like Brahmagupta and Āryabhaṭa, the work taps into a philosophical imagination where numbers become expressions of design.

The piece unfolds in five thematic sections – Nāda, symbolising the emergence of movement from stillness and representing zero; Ananta, an exploration of infinity; Sutra, where structured rhythm mirrors numerical equations and place value; Jyotiṣa, tracing astronomical rhythms through time and motion; and Tala-Ganita, where the body becomes a living calculator through intricate rhythmic compositions.

 With evocative music, geometric stage design, and a seamless blend of narrative and abstraction, this is a performance where the body doesn’t just move, it thinks, calculates, and becomes mathematics.

This performance is supported by Reliance Foundation.

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