Intro to Indian Classical Dance: Bharatanatyam with Vidya Kotamraju

Have you ever experienced the history and artistry of Indian Classical Dance? Come learn about this culture of movement with the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver and Aṣṭa Alliance! The last program in this series will feature Bharatanatyam, presented by dance educator and practitioner Vidya Kotamraju. Bharatanatyam is one of India’s major classical dance forms, with its roots in Tamil Nadu in southern India. Defined by rhythmic footwork, sculptural lines, intricate hand gestures, facial expression, and storytelling, the form brings together movement, music, rhythm, poetry, and theatre. Bharatanatyam moves between nritta, or pure dance, and abhinaya, the expressive language through which emotion, character, and meaning are communicated Vancouver-based Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, and educator Vidya Kotamraju will introduce participants to the form through the perspective of both practitioner and dance-maker. Through demonstration, conversation, and participation, she will explore Bharatanatyam’s movement vocabulary, rhythmic structures, gestures, musicality, and expressive language. Vidya Kotamraju is a Vancouver-based Bharatanatyam dance artist, choreographer, and educator. With more than three decades of dance practice, her work is grounded in the technical and expressive foundations of Bharatanatyam while exploring how the form can speak to contemporary audiences and experiences.Vidya received her early Bharatanatyam training from Sheila Jagadish Kumar in India and has continued her practice under Jai Govinda in Canada, and Bragha Bessell in India. Alongside her grounding in traditional repertoire, her artistic practice has expanded into choreography that brings Bharatanatyam into conversation with storytelling, music, theatre, visual art, and contemporary ideas. This program is presented in partnership with the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver and Aṣṭa Alliance.