This Navratri, Guru Asha Unnithan danced the nine forms of the Goddess, one each day, in short Bharatanatyam reels of under 40 seconds. Each day she wore a saree in a colour chosen for that day’s Goddess. The series became a festival of movement, devotion and colour that you can watch from anywhere.
Navrathri, meaning “nine nights”, is one of the most loved festivals in the Hindu calendar. Over nine nights, devotees honour the Navadurga: the nine forms of Goddess Durga, from the steady mountain-born Shailaputri to Siddhidatri, the giver of perfection. In 2026, Sharad Navratri was celebrated from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October, followed by Vijayadashami.
For Guru Asha, the idea was simple. Bharatanatyam has always been a language for telling the stories of the divine. So instead of only speaking about the nine goddesses, she chose to dance them. She gave each form its own posture, expression and mood, in a format short enough to watch on the way to school, work or the temple.
Navratri Bharatanatyam: 9 Goddesses, 9 Colours | Croydon
Shailaputri, “daughter of the mountains”, is the first form of Durga. She rides the bull Nandi and holds a trident and a lotus, a picture of strength rooted in calm. Yellow, the colour of brightness and new beginnings, opened the festival with joy.
Watch the Day 1 reel
Day 2 – Brahmacharini · Green
Brahmacharini is the Goddess of devotion and self-discipline, walking barefoot with a rosary and a water pot. She reminds us that every great achievement begins with patient practice, something every dance student knows well. Green, the colour of growth, reflected the steady progress that devotion brings.
Watch the Day 2 reel
Day 3 – Chandraghanta · Grey
Chandraghanta wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead and rides a tiger, calm yet ready to protect. She stands for courage and fearlessness. Grey, a colour of balance and quiet strength, captured her poise before battle.
Watch the Day 3 reel
Day 4 – Kushmanda · Orange
Kushmanda is said to have created the universe with a gentle smile, bringing light into the cosmic darkness. She is the source of energy and creativity. Orange, the colour of warmth and the sun, glowed with her life-giving radiance.
Watch the Day 4 reel
Day 5 – Skandamata · White
Skandamata is the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), shown seated on a lotus with her child on her lap. She embodies a mother’s tenderness and protection. White, the colour of peace and purity, suited her serene, motherly love.
Watch the Day 5 reel
Day 6 – Katyayani · Red
Katyayani, born in the hermitage of the sage Katyayana, is the warrior Goddess who rose to defeat the demon Mahishasura. She represents righteous strength. Red, the colour of power and courage, matched her fierce, victorious spirit.
Watch the Day 6 reel
Day 7 – Kalaratri · Blue
Kalaratri is the fiercest form of the Goddess, dark as the night, who destroys ignorance and fear. Behind her fearsome appearance she is protective and auspicious. Blue, the colour of the deep night sky and of limitless power, reflected her vast, fearless nature.
Watch the Day 7 reel
Day 8 – Mahagauri · Pink
Mahagauri is radiant and serene, riding a white bull. She represents purity, forgiveness and inner peace. Pink, the colour of grace, compassion and affection, honoured her gentle majesty on Durga Ashtami.
Watch the Day 8 reel
Day 9 – Siddhidatri · Purple
Siddhidatri, seated on a lotus, is the giver of wisdom and spiritual fulfilment, and the final form celebrated on Maha Navami. Purple, the colour of dignity and spiritual depth, closed the series with grandeur.
Watch the Day 9 reel
Behind the project: telling a story in 40 seconds
In Bharatanatyam, a dancer becomes the character through abhinaya, the art of expression. A slight change in the eyes, a hand gesture (mudra) or a shift in posture can turn a gentle mother into a fierce warrior. The Navratri Project asked how much of each Goddess could be conveyed in under 40 seconds, and the answer was: a great deal.
Three elements came together in every reel:
- Abhinaya and mudras brought out the character of each Goddess, from Brahmacharini’s devotion to Kalaratri’s fierce protection.
- Colour worked as a storytelling tool: the saree of the day set the mood before a single step was danced.
- Brevity meant the ancient stories reached people on their phones, wherever they were celebrating.
For our students, the series was also a lesson in how classical dance stays alive: by carrying traditional stories into new spaces. We hope it inspires our younger dancers to look for the stories behind every step they learn.
Watch, share and dance with us
Thank you to everyone who watched, liked, shared and sent such warm messages during Navratri. All nine reels are on our Instagram, @mantra_academy_uk, and our Facebook page. Watch them in order from Day 1 to Day 9 to see the full journey.
Would you or your child like to learn Bharatanatyam? Mantra Academy teaches:
- children from age 5, teenagers and adults
- complete beginners through to advanced students
- OFAAL graded exams from Grade 1 to Grade 8
Classes run in Croydon on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. We welcome families from Purley, Sutton, Wallington, Shirley, Thornton Heath, Addington and beyond.
Book your free trial lesson and begin your own dance journey.
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