The Colors Trilogy
A Bharatanatyam trilogy on women and the Indian flag's colors.
The Colors Trilogy is a series of short films that explore themes of women through the lens of the three colors of the Indian National Flag. The trilogy is delivered via the Indian classical dance form Bharatanatyam, choreographed and performed by Savitha Sastry, and written and directed by her husband AK Srikanth. The films—Green (2020), White (2021), and Saffron (2021)—have won awards and nominations at multiple international film festivals.
- field
- Short film series, Bharatanatyam dance
- known_for
- Thematic trilogy based on colors of the Indian National Flag, performed through Bharatanatyam
- number_of_films
- 3
- first_release
- 2020
- choreographer_and_performer
- Savitha Sastry
- writer_and_director
- AK Srikanth
- soundtrack_composer
- Rajkumar Bharathi
Lore & Background
The Colors Trilogy comprises three short films: Green, White, and Saffron. Green, released in 2020, examines the color green as representing prosperity, focusing on a woman in an affluent family who desires to pursue her own dreams of dancing. White, released in 2021, is an artistic autobiography of Savitha Sastry, tracing her journey from a traditional Bharatanatyam dancer to one who uses the form for novel storytelling. Saffron, also released in 2021, is set in a dystopian future where successful women are placed in cells with erased memories, reflecting the color saffron's association with courage.
Reader's Guide
The Colors Trilogy is significant for its innovative use of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, to address contemporary themes of women's freedom, identity, and societal constraints. Each film corresponds to a color of the Indian National Flag—green (prosperity), white (truth and peace), and saffron (courage)—and uses the dance as a narrative medium rather than for mythological or devotional purposes. The trilogy has garnered recognition at international film festivals, with Green winning Best Film on Women at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival, White winning Best Director at the New York International Film Awards, and Saffron winning Best Director at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival. Critics have noted the creative use of Bharatanatyam and the powerful storytelling, particularly in Saffron's dystopian premise. The trilogy's legacy lies in expanding the scope of Bharatanatyam beyond traditional contexts and highlighting women's issues through a culturally specific artistic lens.
Did You Know?
- The trilogy's soundtrack was scored by Rajkumar Bharathi.
- Green won Best Film on Women at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival.
- White is an artistic autobiography of dancer Savitha Sastry.
- Saffron is set in a dystopian future where successful women have their memories erased.
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