Erasing Borders Dance Festival 2024

Artists name:Artists bio

Name: Bio

Name: Bio

Samir Kumar Panigrahi and Santosh Ram are award-winning dancers with the Bhubaneswar-based Rudrakshya Foundation. Disciples of Guru Bichitrananda Swain, they will be artists-in-residence with Odissi Vilas, California, this fall. They have performed in festivals across the world.

Based on the eighth-century philosopher and poet Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhavani Bhujangam Stotra, this performance portrays two (of the many) stages of a seeker. In the first stage (Then), the seeker is still enmeshed in maya, i.e.; the trials, tribulations, and imperfections of worldly life, but is attempting to understand what lies beyond the material world by meditating on Goddess Bhavani (an incarnation of Shakti). Slowly, through their complete surrender to Ma Bhavani and the transformative power of deep meditation/yoga, they awaken their kundalini shakti,(depicted as serpents) the primordial cosmic energy that resides in all of us, and eventually reach a state of moksha, divine ecstasy, where the divine feminine and masculine energies are in perfect balance and the seeker’s soul, atman, recognizes that it is but a manifestation of the permanently present Now or ultimate reality (Brahman) while the transient phenomenal world is but an illusion (maya).

Vedya Spurthi is a disciple of Jaikishore & Padmavani Mosalikanti, having previously trained under Himabindu Challa. She has performed across 5 countries such as at the Consulate of India, Hong Kong, and Krishna Gana Sabha, as well as a part of Shivamohanam at the Madras Music Academy Dance Fest

Bhama Pravesa Daruvu is a segment of the larger dance-drama, Bhama Kalapam. It is a highly revered and iconic piece where the character of Satyabhama, introduces herself to the audience. This piece dynamically captures the verve and vigor of Satyabhama's character through the Angika and Sathwika Abhinaya. The traditional yet vibrant aesthetics of Kuchipudi seamlessly complement the character's lively demeanor, and her spirit shines through each movement, conveying her pride, devotion, and inner conflicts with captivating grace and depth.

Sanjana Melkote, Krishnanand Nair, Smrithi Suresh, Janhavi Pillai, and Samyuktha Rajesh Kumar

Fuchsia Dance Company is an Indian classical dance collective of up-and-coming artists based in the Bay Area. Using Bharatanatyam, the team explores traditional art through contemporary themes like climate change. Fuchsia prioritizes storytelling, through its energetic and synchronized ensemble.

The piece begins with “Harmony” during the pre-human age, when nature blooms through lively interactions between plants and animals. In “Vices”, we explore greed, anger, ego, and attachment separating humanity and Earth through sharp and mechanical movement. “Disasters”, a fast-paced, high intensity climax, externalizes Mother Earth’s emotions; her sorrow initiates floods, her turmoil starts tornadoes, her anger spreads fires, and her heartbreak creates earthquakes. “Today”, global warming reveals its complex web of causes and we must reflect.

Kathak by Nirupama and Rajendra

Malavika’s Odissi training began at Nrityagram, training each summer and winter. Since 2019 she has passionately trained under guru Bijayini Satpathy. SriThina is recognized for exploring the interplay between Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Her dance shifts from myth to societal themes,aiming for diversity in the arts and inspire. She is currently mentored by Mavin Khoo (AD at Akram Khan Co) and Bijayini Satpathy virtually.

The work brings together Barathanatyam, Odissi, movement, scriptures and poems. It is inspired by the Rag Shakarabaram and the love it brings, exploring stanzas from the Gita Govindam by juxtaposing them with modern day women poets. This work gives you a taste of tradition in today’s world, it bridges the gap between Mythology and today's societal issues. Traditionally pure dance is used to convey the intricacy and expressive dance for emotion. We will reverse this using pure dance to emote and expressive dance to convey the dance style.

Sri Thina Subramaniam is recognized for creating work that merges Bharatanatyam and Odissi, by exploring their interplay. Her movements fluidly transition from Hindu mythology to societal themes. She advocates for diversity in the arts and inspires and mentors aspiring soloists whilst impacting the dance community.

In the past she has worked with renowned international choreographers including Mavin and Shobana Jeyasingh, both based in the UK. And performed at the Lincoln Center (USA), Royal Opera House, and Buckingham Palace (UK) to name a few. She has also collaborated in productions such as 'Broken Seeds,' 'Ravana,' and '4 Horsemen' She has also curated the “SF West Wave,” “When Eyes Speak,” “Navarathri, Celebrating the Goddess in US” and “Varnam Salon.” She has presented her own choreography globally, and in NYC. Sri Thina is currently mentored by Mavin Khoo (Artistic Director at Akram Khan Company) and Bijayini Satpathy Virtually as she continues on her journey of discoveries.

Ramya Harishankar, artistic director of the Arpana Dance Company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. Named legacy artist by the California Arts Council in 2023, Ramya Harishankar has donned many hats in a career spanning 5 decades. As a soloist she has performed extensively on 5 continents. Her forte is abhinaya and she regularly conducts workshops/master classes both online and live across the world.

A variety of abhinaya pieces from varied genres, range of situations, emotions, Nayikas exploring diverse ways to present the old repertoire in modern times.

Anugraha Sridhar, Bharathanrityam artist under DrPadma Subrahmanyam's mentorship, specializes in Karanas. Praised as 'A Niche in Nrityam in NYC,' she curates for Balance Arts Centre, NY, and collaborates with Jiva Dance. Also a classical vocalist, she holds a Masters in Public Policy.

Pranaya:The Evolving Embrace' explores love's journey through various stages of life.Incorporating Bharathanrityam, Karanas and spoken word it reflects on love's constancy 'Then and Now' and is inspired by personal experiences of pain, longing, maturity and fulfilment from love

Kumar Sharma (Kathak trio)

Jayaprabha Menon is one of the eminent Mohiniyattam exponents of the country. A danseuse with exceptional artistry, a versatile choreographer and an affectionate Guru to her disciples, Jayaprabha Menon has notched a reputation nonpareil in the firmament of Indian Classical dances. Her performances of Mohiniyattam have been eloquent demonstrations of terpsichorean talents groomed by venerated Gurus like Kalamandalam Saraswathy, C V Chandrasekhar and Bharathi Shivaji.

The Performance is in the Mohiniyattam Style The Art Form of Kerala. This is a solo performance in which we have interwoven the malayalam lyrics along with english commentary to facilitate the form to be more comfortable. The dancer journeys through unlimited space crossing the barriers of time where Then&Now exists simultanously. The dancer representing mankind teasingly poses questionS Time doesnot reply in words.But arises as truth for spreading the Light of Knowledge.

Since 1975, Ratikant Mohapatra has been surrounded by Odissi dance and music almost every minute of his day. A 40-year association with the field of Odissi and the years of training and experience with his father and guru, late Sri Kelucharan Mohapatra have left their imprint on Ratikant and today, he has carved an enviable niche for himself as a dancer, percussionist, teacher, choreographer, and archivist.

As the Director of Srjan (Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa), he has single–handedly created a world-class dance institute, attracting students from all over the globe for a comprehensive and dedicated learning methodology of Odissi dance.
Ratikant’s dedication to the art form has been acknowledged with the ‘Smt. Sanjukta Panigrahi Samman’ in 2005 by the SanjuktaPanigrahi Trust, the ‘Nrutya Choodamani’ in 2014 by Krishnagana Sabha, the ‘BhumiputraSamman’ in 2016 by Bharat Sevashram Sangha and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2016, among others. He is also attributed to creating a Guinness World Record for choreographing and directing 555dancers in an Odissi dance composition, the very first of its kind.
In his role as a choreographer, Ratikant has conceived more than 67 original works, characterized by ‘neo-classical’ choreographic innovations,attractive musical arrangements, experimental lighting, and stagecraft, all within the boundaries of the Odissi idiom. Ratikant’s versatility and creative energy have found expression in celluloid as well, most recently in the choreography of Odissi dance sequences for the Indo–Chinese film “The Desire.”

Vaishnavi Dhore, is a performing artist and trainer of Bharatanatyam. She is a disciple of Smt.Rama Vaidyanathan. She is graded artist of Delhi Doordarshan. She has performed in several festivals and concerts in India and abroad.

Danseuse, Actor, Entrepreneur Rima Kallingal's passion for the performing arts saw her establishing Mamangam Dance Company, ten years ago in 2014. Trained professionally in various forms of dancing including Kalaripayattu, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and contemporary dance, she propagates new idiom and language through her dance company. She presents an amalgamation of tradition, culture and contemporary storytelling in her art.

Neythe is an outcome of her championing for the weavers post the 2018 floods and an opportunity to reveal in the intricacy of weaving and what goes behind it. Several visits and the outcome of a three-year journey, the multimediastage show encapsulates her vision and learning from the art of weaving, capturing the minute nuances, movement, rhythm and music in the labyrinth of the craft and craftsmen.