Natya Dance Theatre

Description

Natya Dance Theatre, under the artistic leadership of a Hema Rajagopalan, is among the most critically acclaimed and culturally treasured Indian dance companies in the United States. Founded in 1974 and based in Chicago, IL, the highly innovative work of Natya offers profound and subtle expressions of humanity's deepest questions and values in the context of our present-day lives. Rooted in Bharata Natyam, one of the great classical dance forms of India, Natya preserves and perpetuates Bharata Natyam in all its classical rigor, and moves the art form in innovative directions to foster cultural exchange through dance.

ePress Kit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13GWYfxmt14PO1b3o8h9ha0F5v2NZlOjq/view?usp=sharing

Work Sample

Title: Varna - Colors of White Performance Date: 2016 Running Time: 60 minutes Description: Varna "“ Colors of White is an exploration of universal emotions and their diverse colors that find expression through words, music, dance, and drama. Conceived by Founder and Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan, the narratives bring together the secular and the divine through consideration of love, desire, compassion, sorrow, greed, jealousy, and humor. Based on ancient texts and writings of Sage poets, the work is set to an original music score.

https://youtu.be/N_ZffpoEapM

Title: Roots [Entwined Redwoods] Performance Date: 2021 Running Time: 12 minutes Description: Roots was inspired by the cooperation of redwood root systems which grow quite shallow, yet cover incredible distances and entwine with other redwood root systems to provide stability for these massive trees. Natya holds that if we can only learn from the lessons of nature, we will all be better off.

Submitted work samples demonstrate the skill of Natya artists and the innovative choreography for which Natya is known. Natya has a number of repertory pieces - both shorter (under 20 minutes) and evening-length (60-75 minutes). Whilst bharatanatyam is often connected with the history of India, it is still vey much a part of the current global identity of Indians living in India and in diasporic communities across the globe. Natya takes great pride in continuing the legacy of this dance style which has roots nearly 2,000+ years old.

History

Natya preserves and perpetuates bharatanatyam in all its classical rigor - moving the art form in innovative directions to foster cultural exchange through dance. Addressing both the classical and the contemporary "“ through dynamic body movements, rhythmic footwork, intricate hand gestures, and emotive narratives "“ Natya aims to perpetuate harmony, crafting dances of "˜rasa' to transport audiences to elevated spaces of empathy and understanding. Natya commits to sustaining culture through civic engagement, connecting with mainstream audiences through an array of accessible public programming which offers acute expressions of humanity's deepest questions and values in the context of our present-day lives. Natya works towards these goals through four service areas: Natya Academy - teaching the next generation of artists and arts supporters; Natya Outreach - fostering art dedication through community programs and performances; Natya Company - providing high quality professional performances in Chicago and world-wide; and Natya Presents - presenting exceptional Indian artists to audience here in the United States.

Artistic Vision

Natya aims to cultivate bharatanatyam arts culture; re-investing in bharatanatyam's roots whilst endowing its future with well-trained artists and audiences educated in the nuances of bharatanatyam's unique aesthetics and theories.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

Natya is recognized for presenting concerts which appeal to mainstream dance arts audiences, as well as diasporic Indian communities.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

Natya preserves and perpetuates bharatanatyam in all its classical rigor - moving the art form in innovative directions to foster cultural exchange through dance. Addressing both the classical and the contemporary "“ through dynamic body movements, rhythmic footwork, intricate hand gestures, and emotive narratives "“ Natya aims to perpetuate harmony, crafting dances of "˜rasa' to transport audiences to elevated spaces of empathy and understanding. Natya commits to sustaining culture through civic engagement, connecting with mainstream audiences through an array of accessible public programming which offers acute expressions of humanity's deepest questions and values in the context of our present-day lives. Natya works towards these goals through four service areas: Natya Academy - teaching the next generation of artists and arts supporters; Natya Outreach - fostering art dedication through community programs and performances; Natya Company - providing high quality professional performances in Chicago and world-wide; and Natya Presents - presenting exceptional Indian artists to audience here in the United States.