Anjali Center for Performing Arts

11/02/2024

There’s still time for you to come to this afternoon’s performance at the JCC! Here’s a sample of what you’ll be treated to!

07/10/2024

It was very special for me to receive a warm invitation from one of my favorite dancers, Priyadarsini Govind, to receive the Navadarshini birudu on the concluding day of her brilliantly designed Navadarshana dance intensive, in San Jose, CA. Acharyas Aler Krishnan of San Diego and Chitra Ramaswamy of New Jersey played major roles in organizing the workshops in the US. It was very heartening to see many dedicated young dancers from all over the US immersing themselves completely in the 3 day workshop, not only learning dances but also singing the songs and saying the solkattu. Priya’s senior disciple Apoorva Jayaraman (who recently gave a memorable performance in Houston for Indian Performing Arts, Samskriti), helped train the participants in some of the dances. Scholar Jayachandran Surendran (who recently gave two amazing lectures on Shiva and Andal for Samskriti) and dancer-choreographer Vaibhav Arekar (who will perform for Samskriti on Oct 27, 2024) enriched the participants’ experience, the former with his inexhaustible knowledge of dance, literature, mythology and more, and the latter with his input on the creative use of space in nritta choreography, which was very imaginatively used by the different groups of dancers. Icing on the cake - Vaibhav’s excellent rendition of Diksh*tar’s Ananda Natana Prakasam evoking images of Nataraja dancing in space, graceful yet strong, unhurried, his poses etched in sculpturesque perfection. Vaibhav is indeed a consummate artist. Priyadarsini’s unique and beautiful choreography was fully in evidence in Diksh*tar’s Jambupathe, performed by the senior group, where one could actually feel the presence of water. So evocative was the imagery. Equally enjoyable were the complex Sri Vighnarajam Bhaje and the two Abhinaya pieces. I felt fortunate to have witnessed the positive results of a thorough and comprehensive training session in Bharatanatyam, and the commitment shown by not only the students, but also the teachers, parents, and everyone involved in the intense 3 day workshop. I recommend the workshop to all those who are seriously pursuing their art. Kudos to Priyadarsini and her entire team! The presentation of the participants’ dances, Jayachandran’s talk about little known aspects of Chandra, the Moon, Vaibhav’s dance….. what a wonderful way to spend the day, when time stands still and only dance exists!

05/27/2024

Today’s loving note from Thomas Cook -

“Dear Ms. Kumar,

Greetings from Thomas Cook!

Please be informed we tried our best to get you some refund but as per the update received from the Travel Partners, 100% cancellation charges have been applied and we were unable to get any refund.

Request you to please share the Medical certificate to further complete the cancellation procedure”.

If they are refusing to pay me back even a single penny, why do they need any other documentation from me???

09/20/2023

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Sathyavathi Gullapalli, Rajam Appan

Thank you!

08/23/2023

What a stupendous achievement! The first to land on the South Pole of the Moon - India! My Indian heart is bursting with pride and joy! Congratulations to ISRO Director Mr. Somnath and his brilliant team!

08/22/2023

The Anjali Dance Company is honored to among the featured artists/programs for the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego (IFAASD), at their coveted annual Youth Festival. Thank you IFAASD and my dear friend and fellow classical arts lover, Shekar Viswanathan!

07/10/2023

Super excited about our first performance in Europe!

The Tagore Centre presents classical Indian dance theatre performance- 'ANSHUMAN: ODE TO SUN GOD' by Rathna Kumar's Anjali Dance Ensemble.

03/30/2023

April 16, Krishnaya Tubhyam Namaha! Don't miss it! Here are the details!

03/23/2023

What do I see yonder?

03/21/2023

Here's more about my beloved baby - Anjali!

03/21/2023

For those who are unfamiliar with the Anjali Center for Performing Arts, here's something to give you an idea. I am stealing a quotation from a car dealership (!!!) - At Anjali we go about our business of dance, "doing things quietly, very well".

11/11/2022

So happy you won, Lizzie Fletcher! I'm so glad I voted for you!