Artham Dance Company want to shake up both an ancient text and a revered dance tradition. The company founders tell Justin Gregory they are not afraid of a challenge.

Auckland's Artham Dance Company are promising a revolution in their new show, Yānum - Fragments of Femininity.

Founded by choreographer and dancer Dr Bhuvana Kannan and creative producer Padma Akula, Artham offer a contemporary take on the Bharatanatyam classical dance tradition of southern India. Bharatanatyam is known for its formal postures, live music, verbal percussion and a precise language of hand gestures.

Bhuvana and Padma see all of it as ripe for reinvention, by blending ancient texts with modern storytelling techniques in what they say will be a "groundbreaking" performance

But innovating a 1500-year-old form isn't without its challenges. Bhuvana says she could stage Yānum in India, but with some restrictions.

"I definitely will be criticised more for bringing new movements into Bharatanatyam. The senior-most people, they probably will resist or criticise it.

"But I'm not into it. This is my chance and I'm a teacher now and I'm changing it."

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details