Famous Bharatanatyam Dancers In India & World

 1.From Chennai to New Hampshire, Aishwarya Balasubramanian has kept the aesthetic appeal of Bharatanatyam alive

When Bharatanatyam dancer Aishwarya Balasubramanian was a school student, she was very good at academics. The talented artist multitasked her way through school, excelling in her studies and also in dance. As she neared the end of high school, the time came to pick one, a tough choice for Aishwarya. On the one hand, she wanted to be a doctor and on the other, she felt a deep passion for dance. Finally, she chose the dance over the medical profession.

 

“I just couldn’t give it up,” says the passionate dancer. She knew that since both the professions have their own demands, she would not be able to do both full-time. “So, I went on to pursue my bachelors in mathematics from Stella Maris College, Chennai while continuing with my passion in dance.” Life took her from Chennai to New Hampshire, where Aishwarya runs her own dance school, Arpanam, teaching students from different parts of the country as the Indian diaspora try to stay connected to their roots. 

Read Complete Story : https://www.globalindian.com/story/global-indian-exclusive/aishwarya-balasubramanian-has-kept-aesthetic-appeal-of-bharatanatyam-alive/

2.Paris Laxmi: The French girl who fell in love with India and Bharatnatyam

It was written in the stars for artist Paris Laxmi when she first stepped foot in India as a five-year-old. A French girl, who had heard stories of Hindu gods from her mother, grew up on a rich diet of Indian art and culture. The interest soon translated into a love for the country on her first visit. Mesmerized by the Indian dance art forms, she started learning Bharatnatyam at the age of nine, and years later moved to India forever. Here she met her now husband, a Kathak artist with whom she started Kalashakti School of Arts in Kochi. The 31-year-old, who calls herself Indian by heart, has found her home in India.

 

Born in Aix-en-Provence in France in 1991 to a family that has been rooted in art, she found herself surrounded by it in the initial years of her life. “Before my birth, India was already a part of my family as my parents were loving this country, its customs, people, philosophy, arts, and heritage. were already a part of me when I was born,” she wrote on the KalaShakti 

My father first came to India in 1982, then with my mother some years after; they also decided to name me Myriam Sophia Lakshmi, and my brother Theo Elie Narayan. I can say that both India and dance were already a part of me when I was born,” she wrote on the KalaShakti website.

 

Read Full Story Here: https://www.globalindian.com/story/art-culture/paris-laxmi-the-french-girl-who-fell-in-love-with-india-and-bharatnatyam/

 

3.Odissi exponent Rekha Tandon is reshaping Indian classical dance as yoga

 

Many Indian dancers would agree that Indian classical dance forms find its roots in yoga. From the mudras to the various position and alignment, there’s a lot in common between Indian classical dance forms and yoga. However, over the period of time, people have forgotten this strong connection between the two. And now eminent Odissi dancer Rekha Tandon has taken upon herself to re-bridge the gap between Indian classical dance and yoga.

 

Living in a quaint house in Auroville, near Puducherry, the Odissi dancer hosts artistes from across the globe for residencies and workshops. She has performed at various festivals in different parts of the world, including the Quay Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester (2007), Mary’s Gallery, Sydney (2012), Tantrutsav, Kalarigram (2018) and Pondicherry Heritage Festival (2019).

 

Read Full Story Here : https://www.globalindian.com/story/art-culture/odissi-exponent-rekha-tandon-is-reshaping-indian-classical-dance-as-yoga/

 

4.Aparna Satheesan, the Indian-American danseuse takes desi classical dance to the globe

 

When she lost her father at the age of 15 in an accident, the one motivation that kept her going was his wish that she become a great dancer. Living this dream, 31-year-old, Indian classical dancer and choreographer, Aparna Satheesan won several awards and honours. The Thiruvananthapuram native, who is settled in the US for the past 10 years, Aparna is an expert in seven Indian classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Ottam Thullal, and Kerala Nadanam. “My mother loved dancing, but couldn’t pursue her passion. So, she wanted me to train in classical dance forms,” shares Aparna in an interview with Global Indian.

 

 

The dancer, who recently received the prestigious Abhinandan Saroja National Award 2021 by the National Institute of Indian Classical Dance, believes that her career, spanning 25 years, has been blissful. “I consider myself blessed to have learnt from several eminent dancers, including Regatta Girija Chandran, Padma Bhushan Dhananjayans, Vyjayanthi Kashi, Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboothiri, RS Lekshmi, and Chithra Mohan,” says the Indian danseuse. A recipient of the Natya Shiromani National Award by India festival USA (2022) and Abhinandan Saroja Award (2021), she was also awarded the Kuchipudi Dance Fellowship by Global IndianRaga Organisation in 2018.

 

Read Full Story Here: https://www.globalindian.com/story/art-culture/aparna-satheesan-the-indian-american-danseuse-takes-desi-classical-dance-to-the-globe/

 

 

5.From Bharatnatyam to Hip-Hop: How Telugu American rapper Raja Kumari is breaking culture stereotypes

 

Few global artists seamlessly weave the East with the West as Indian-American rapper Raja Kumari. The quintessential bindi, smoky eye shadow, splendid headgear, chunky jewellery, and cool swag speak volumes about Raja Kumari as an artist. In no time, she has carved a signature style for herself by blending rap with hip-hop with an Indian chutzpah.

Born and brought up in the US to Telugu doctor parents, Svetha Yallapragada Rao aka Raja Kumari is truly a desi at heart, and this comes across in her music. But it took the Grammy-nominated songwriter a while to find her true calling.

 

Being raised in Southern California, Raja Kumari did find herself in the middle of an identity crisis (more on that below.) However, she explored classical dance forms as a child to remain close to her roots. And it’s this love for Indian culture and art that forms a prominent part of her music.

 

Read Full Story Here: https://www.globalindian.com/story/music/raja-kumari-telugu-american-rapper/

 

 

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