Top image: Performing at the Winter Garden, NYC
Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical dance tradition of India and consists of intense footwork and a codified vocabulary of sign language that includes gestures of hands, eyes and face.
Pieces range from solo work to group choreography as the dance form allows for intense variety within the set framework.
Bharatanatyam is a Sanskrit mnemonic for what the dancer reflects as a performer. Bha stands for bhava (feelings, emotions), ra stands for raga (melody, framework for musical notes), and ta stands for tala (rhythm). Natya is the Sanskrit word for dance.
Check out my dance resume, pictures, and how I use dance to engage communities and talk about science!
My dance work spans three areas:
Pieces range from solo work to group choreography as the dance form allows for intense variety within the set framework.
Bharatanatyam is a Sanskrit mnemonic for what the dancer reflects as a performer. Bha stands for bhava (feelings, emotions), ra stands for raga (melody, framework for musical notes), and ta stands for tala (rhythm). Natya is the Sanskrit word for dance.
Check out my dance resume, pictures, and how I use dance to engage communities and talk about science!
My dance work spans three areas:
Sloka dancing at the RING garden
I am fortunate to learn from my gurus, and this has enables me to perform, choreograph, and teach in and around NYC. You can find my dance resume here, as well as videos and pictures from various shows here.
Sloka dancing at Inwood Hill Park
Vichaar is an online production that brings together my two passions, dance and science. Through video demonstrations and articles, I talk about aspects Bharatanatyam and discuss its neuroscientific basis.
Sloka demonstrating a rhythmic pattern seated with her hands Photo credit: Padma Narayanan
I am passionate about democratizing Bharatanatyam so that its benefits can be experienced by all. Here is a list of organizations I collaborate with to do this work, and here are some articles where I have some reflections on this work and its outcome. I call this venture "Bharatanatyam for all".