C A L E N D A R * R E L E A S E


Contact:
Mark Lacy
(713) 521-3686
mark@houstonculture.org
www.houstonculture.org/media

April 12, 2003



Namita Bodaji to perform classical Indian dance, Bharata Natyam, in
celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month at Rice University


EVENT: Namita Bodaji, from Bombay, India, performs classical Indian dance

DATE: Monday, May 5, 2003

TIME: 7:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

LOCATION: Hamman Hall, Rice University, Entrance 14 (off of Rice Blvd.)

DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 59 to the Shepherd/Greenbriar exit south of downtown Houston; Go south on Greenbriar to Rice Boulevard and turn left. Hamman Hall is at Rice University Entrance 14. This Internet address will include Rice University parking information: www.houstonculture.org/events

ADMISSION CHARGE: $5.00 (Free for Rice students, faculty and staff)

EVENT SPONSORS:
Houston Institute for Culture
KTRU, Rice University Radio

ADDITIONAL PERFORMERS:
Traditional forms of Asian dance will be featured.

CONTACT:
Email: info@houstonculture.org
Phone: 713-521-3686
On line: www.houstonculture.org/events
This Internet address will include Rice University parking information.

MEDIA UPDATES / PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
www.houstonculture.org/media
www.houstonculture.org/photos

Video is also available.


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N E W S * R E L E A S E


Contact:
Mark Lacy
(713) 521-3686
mark@houstonculture.org
www.houstonculture.org/media

April 12, 2003



Namita Bodaji to perform classical Indian dance, Bharata Natyam, in
celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month at Rice University

(About the Artist)


On May 5, 2003, Namita Bodaji, the talented Indian dancer from Bombay, will make her third visit to Texas to perform at Rice University. She will be the featured performer at an event to be held in Hamman Hall celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Bodaji first came to Texas to dance for nearly 300 people at the University of Houston in June 2000 on a tour that included performances at religious temples in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois. She went on to teach workshops at Dance Vision 2000 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

After her exceptional performances in Houston that year, where the success of her artistic presentation combined with an informative narrative about each dance generated overwhelming favorable response, scores of audience members resounded that they wanted to see Bodaji in Houston again. Rom Martinez responded by email, "It was the best dance (event) I have ever seen. By explaining the meaning of the symbols in the dance, (Bodaji) opened the door to a new world for me."

Following a performance at MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through Arts), Bodaji said, "The audience was very receptive and very attentive, so attentive I couldn't see heads moving." Bodaji returned in April 2001 to perform at Rice University and Texas A&M.

Bodaji commented on her ability to deliver captivating performances to Houston audiences, "It depends on the mood of the artist. The mood of the artist takes the performance to a higher level. At times the audience takes you to that level." Bodaji enjoys educating U.S. audiences about the significance of classical Indian dance.

Comparing her experience dancing in India, Bodaji said, "There is a temple in the South of India called Guruvayoor. It (is) like dancing for the Gods. You dare not make a mistake there."

Bodaji will return to Rice University to perform an educational and demonstrative creative program at Hamman Hall on May 5, 2003 at 7:00pm. Admission is $5.00 (free for Rice community).

See photos from a previous Houston performance by Namita Bodaji: www.houstonculture.org/namita



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N E W S * R E L E A S E


Contact:
Mark Lacy
(713) 521-3686
mark@houstonculture.org
www.houstonculture.org/media

April 12, 2003



Namita Bodaji to perform classical Indian dance, Bharata Natyam, in
celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month at Rice University

(Artistıs Bio)


Namita Bodaji, Sringar Mani
Namita Bodaji's talent has taken her from the temples of India to the House of Soviet Culture to the World Folk Festival in Utah. She entered the prestigious Sri Rajrajeshwari Bharat Natya Kala Mandir Institute in Bombay in 1985 and has continued to study under the Gurus of the Institute.

Namita Bodaji performed for the audience of Swami Haridas Sammelan after receiving the title "Sringar Mani", which is conferred on the most qualified Indian dancers, in 1990. She has performed in the ballets "Vasantavalli" and "Krishna Lila" (choreographed by Guru Kalyanasundaram) in the South of India and she has appeared at the India International Center in New Delhi.

She has performed during important Indian festivals, Pallovothsava and Janmashtami, and at holy temples, such as Guruvayoor in Kerala, and Jagmohan Palace in Mysore. She has also been featured on an Indian dance tour of England.

The talented dancer additionally choreographs and teaches the Indian dance form Bharata Natyam. She has a Masters in English Literature.



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