16 November 2025, Chobara Veda Factory, Andheri — Ehsaas, directed, choreographed and conceptualised by Aditya Garud, delivered a full-house performance that left the audience not just applauding, but reflecting. True to its title, Ehsaas asked viewers to feel — not intellectually decode — each moment.
A Journey of Emotion
The production explored Krishna not as mythology but as a mirror to human experience.
The first half brought familiar episodes from Krishna’s life — from the playful charm of Kanhare to the sweeping emotional canvas of Navaras. While rooted in Kathak, the storytelling felt current, direct, and relatable.
The second half shifted to contemporary emotion — resilience, longing, love and a search for inner light. Garud’s solo Rhythm of Resilience stood out for its honesty and raw physicality, prompting visible emotional reactions in the audience. The finale, Sampradaya, offered a powerful reminder that devotion and belonging transcend language and identity — and was widely cited as the highlight of the evening.
Presentation & Sensory Design
The cast — Aditya Garud, Vaibhavi Joshi, Yukta Joshi, Harshada Borge and Mansi Jambekar – moved between solos, duets, trios and group sections with seamless musicality. All tracks were recorded, featuring a range of artists across Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi and English, with select compositions produced by Garud himself.
Costumes designed by Garud evolved with each piece, beginning with peacock blue and black and unfolding into varied silhouettes, visually marking emotional shifts.
There were no LED projections, yet the visual world stayed memorable. Lighting by Ninad Chaudhary played with silhouettes, shadow scale and backlight to sculpt atmosphere rather than decorate it.
One striking choreographic moment featured dancers entering with peacock feathers embedded with mirrors — a concept by Art Director Sumit Patil – symbolising that Krishna is not only something we look toward, but something through which we also see ourselves.
Why the Work Connects
What sets Ehsaas apart is its universality. Even those unfamiliar with Kathak or Krishna found an entry point — whether through longing, resilience, spiritual love or emotional endurance. For many, the experience felt “like watching a movie,” yet deeply personal.
The sold-out audience of 90 responded with applause after every piece and a standing ovation, with several visibly moved to tears — not because of spectacle, but because the work spoke to something essentially human.
Credits
- Concept, choreography, direction & costumes: Aditya Garud
- Dancers: Aditya Garud, Vaibhavi Joshi, Yukta Joshi, Harshada Borge & Mansi Jambekar
- Music: Dr. Vaishali Dudhe, Dr. Puru Dadeech, Kartik Raman, Mayur Vaidya, Prashant Thakre, Prasad Khainar, Abha Saumitra & Aditya Garud (In no particular order)
- Lights: Ninad Chaudhary
- Art Direction: Sumit Patil
After two consecutive sold-out shows — Kalyan and Andheri — Ehsaas now travels to Dadar, Veer Savarkar Auditorium, Shivaji Park, on 19 December 2025 at 8:30 PM.
If its journey so far is any indication, this could be one of the most emotionally compelling Kathak productions currently touring the city.
