A Metaphoric Exploration of Dualities

Duality. The universe exists in a constant play of opposites—sound and silence, stillness and movement, creation and dissolution. These forces, when paired together, shape everything we know. Form and fluidity, self and other, union and separation—these dynamics reveal how meaning is formed through interplay. It is through this ongoing rhythm of duality that the universe lives, shifts, and renews, and within it, so do we.

- NIDHARSHANA RAJU

This idea finds form in the damru, the hourglass-shaped drum held by Lord Shiva. It mirrors the shape of infinity with two sides held together by a central thread; just as contrasting forces are held together by balance. It is interpreted by philosophers as the synergy between the masculine and feminine energies, and therefore, becomes a metaphor for creation itself.

Drawing inspiration from this instrument is Vidhya Subramanian, an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and teacher, who aims to interpret this philosophy to life through a Bharatanatyam ensemble. "Several years ago, I wanted to present a work on the idea of balance. I realised I needed to philosophically delve into it. Years later, when I was thinking about the instruments of gods, I came across