Bharatanatyam is a form of Indian classical dance that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu. Bharatanatyam is known for its grace, elegance, purity, tenderness, expression and sculpturesque poses. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed Indian dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over the world although it is more commonly danced by women. The word Bharatanatyam combines “Bharat” meaning India and “natyam” meaning dance.

This was my entry for the small decorative exhibit category at Cake International London 2016 – A Bharatanatyam dancer with the backdrop of the chariot wheel of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sun temple of Konark.

(This entry won the Silver award in the Small Decorative Exhibit category at Cake International London 2016.)

Judges comment – the category had some incredibly amazing work that it was quite a challenge for them to decide which should be given Gold or Silver, but eventually I had to be awarded the silver because the character had gotten some cracks in the hands and feet because I had travelled with these from Dubai with a stopover in Doha which got delayed for 7 hours and was an absolute nightmare! So happy I managed to get a Silver finally after all that!