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Namita Bodaji has performed in the temples of India, the House of Soviet Culture and 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. She 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. Bodaji 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. Bodaji has been featured on an Indian dance tour of London, England. She additionally choreographs and teaches the Indian dance form Bharat Natyam, and has a Masters in English Literature. Last year, while visiting the United States as part of a cultural exchange program, Bodaji danced at religious temples in Pennsylvania and Illinois and taught workshops at Dance Vision 2000 in Massachusetts. Bodaji performed for public audiences in Houston, where the success of her artistic presentation, combined with an informative narrative about each dance generated overwhelming favorable response. Rom Martinez said 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 her 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 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." 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." Hansi Singh was initiated into Bharatha Natyam ten years ago by Smt. Nandini Rangan of San Diego, California. She continued her training with Smt. Bana Ramnath of San Antonio, Texas and completed a solo dance debut (arangetram) under her tutelage. Currently, Singh is a disciple of Smt. Padmini Chari of the Nritya School of Dance in Houston. She has also had the opportunity to learn from several eminent Gurus and has participated in a dance camp conducted by the Dhananjayans of Bharathakalanjali. Singh recently spent several months in India training under Padmashri Adyar Lakshman of Bharatha Choodamani in Madras. In addition, she has learned abhinaya (dance expression) from Professor C.K. Balagopalan of Kalakshetra. Singh has presented Bharatha Natyam extensively throughout south and central Texas. She recently performed a solo recital presented by Bharatha Choodamani at the Music Academy of Madras, India. |