Pooja Hirwade, a disciple of Guru Ratnam Janardhanan, performed solo Bharatnatyam at India International Dance Festival organized by Aratrika Institute of Performing Arts. The festival was organized at the Upvan Amphitheatre, Thane (Mumbai) and was supported by Sangeet Natak Academy. It was a part of NCPA’s Mumbai Dance Season. The show was graced by reputed exponents in the field of classical dance like Padmashri Dr Darshana Jhaveri, Parwati Dutta (Mahagami Gurukul), Jhelum Paranjpe and others.
Pooja performed an elaborate Keerthanam in traditional Pandanallur style of Bharatnatyam which was set to Abhogi Ragam and Adi Thalam with a few elements of Tandava and Lasya that form the prime features of Ardhanarishwara. The composition highlighted the blue goddess Kali and her dance in the golden temple at Chidambaram. It was choreographed by her Guru Ratnam Janardhanan.
Pooja was felicitated for her performance at the hands of Shyamhari Chakra (IIDF Festival Director) and a journalist at The Hindu.