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Over the course of the past 2 years I have been developing this multi-interdisciplinary dance production titled -Kalāsangama translated as Union by Art. What inspired me to develop this idea? To start this topic one should first understand my background. I was born in a middle class family in the city of Beijing, China. My father worked at Xinhua news agency (a government run news agency), my mother worked as nurse at a hotel. My parents are both educated, my dad completed 4

July 1st 2019 was my first trip to Chennai India. That time everything was new, and I had no clue how to get anywhere on my own and was scared to death to cross the street even. Well July 2025 marks the 7th time I had gone to Chennai in just short 7 years. That basically means once a year trip but actually in recent 2 years I had gone to India more frequent due to business and dance needs. Long story short, why did I come back to Chennai having just gone back to the US from C

What is abhinaya? First of all, let’s look at what is abhinaya? What does abhinaya mean? Abhinaya, derived from the Sanskrit word “abhi” (toward) and “ni” (to carry), means “to carry the meaning toward the audience.” It involves the use of facial expressions, hand gestures (hasta mudras), and body language to convey emotions and narrate stories. In Bharatanatyam, there are 4 essential parts to abhinaya Angika : Expression through physical gestures and movements. Vachika : Exp

Ashta Nayikas accordings to Natya Shastra and Bharatanatyam

Bani basically means lineage, what’s been passed down through parampara. A lot of people get confused between bani and style and some even says that bani is style but in fact, bani and style are two different entities. There could be many different styles within a bani itself, because there are some people strictly stick to or copy their gurus’ style without any modifications, but many gurus and/or students these days modify or put their own spices to the bani that’s taught t

The 3 speeds in Adavus The Adavus are performed in three speeds which are also known as the ‘kalams’. 1st speed is also called Vilambita kalam2nd speed is called Madhya kalam3rd speed is called Druta kalam What is Angashuddha, Layashuddha and Talashuddha? There is a combination of the significance of the Adavus lies in the Angasuddha which means correct body posture, Layashuddha means in clear or right time, the Talashuddha which means the rhythm which is suited to the danc

Talapuṣpapuṭam ( तालपुष्पपुटम ): Handful of flowers Vartitam: Inverted Valitōrukam: Folded thigh Apaviddam: violently shaken Samanakam: Level nails Līnam: Inserted Swastikarēchitam: Whirling cross Manḍalaswastikam: Crossed Region Nikuṭṭakam: Shouldered arms Ardhanikuṭṭam: Half-shouldered arms Kaṭīchinnam: Split waist Ardharēchitam: half-whirl Vakśaswastikam: Crossed chest Unmattam: Frenzied Swastikam: Crossed Pṛṣṭhaswastikam: Crossed at the back Dikswastikam: Crossed Alātam:C

शैलपुत्री Day 1 Shailaputri Shailaputri is the Adi parasakti, who was born in the house of King of Mountains “Parvat Raj Himalaya”. The name “Shailaputri” literally means the daughter (putri) of mountain (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Himavat - the king of the Himalayas. The embodiment of the power of Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva , she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands. In previous birth, she was Sa

Simha sanastithe is a beautiful keerthnam I learned from my guru Roja Kannan, and a choreography by her guru Sri Adyar Lakshman sir. It is in ragamalika and talam rupaka. It also includes a verse from Amba Pancharatnam Shloka. I have included below. Lyrics follows: या सा शुम्भगनशुम्भदैत्यशमनी या रक्तिीजाशनी - Ya sa shumba, nishumba, daitya shamani, Ya Rakta Bija shini या – yā - the one (that devi); सा – sā – that; शुम्भ - Śumbha - Shumbha; गनशुम्भ - niśumbha - Nishumbha; दैत