Come Dance with Us!

A family-friendly event, we are pleased to offer you an afternoon performance of Bharatanatyam, an art form used to tell stories through classical dance in India. Dr. Sudha Raj will direct her students as they tell stories and end the program by asking you to try out Bharatanatyam in an interactive way and learn how you can tell your own stories through dance!
Bharatanatyam is an ancient form of Indian Classical Dance. It derives its name from Bharata Muni, the author of “Natya Shastra” (treatise on dance), written between the 2nd Century BC and 2nd Century AD. The name “Bharatanatyam” signifies three basic concepts: “Bhava” (expression), “Raga” (a musical note), and “Tala” (rhythmic beat). It is a blend of “Nritta” (the rhythmic movement of the body without any expression of emotion), “Nritya” (the combination of rhythm with expression through the eyes, hands, and facial movements), and “Natya” (the dramatic element). All dances are structured around the “Nava Rasas” (the nine common emotions of happiness, anger, disgust, fear, sorrow, courage, compassion, wonder, and serenity). The dance is accompanied by South Indian Carnatic music.Dr. Sudha Raj started her early training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Soudhamini in Pune, Maharashtra, in Pandanallur style. In 1976, she started intensive training under the guidance of Guru Adyar K. Lakshman in the Kalakshetra style. In addition, she has taken lessons with Jayalakshmi Easwar in Delhi and Rangashree of Kinkini in Bangalore. Sudha has been training students in Bharatanatyam in the Syracuse area since 1982. She has been involved in lecture demonstrations and workshops, offered through Syracuse University’s South Asia program in the interest of creating an awareness and appreciation for Bharatanatyam dance. She is also instrumental in bringing several well-known dance and music artistes from India to perform in Syracuse. In 2011, Sudha was also involved in the choreography and performance of George Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers” staged by the Syracuse Opera. Several of Sudha’s students have successfully performed their Arangetram (Graduation recital) and continue to excel in academia and various professional careers. MORE INFO
Free to the Public

Sponsored by: South Asia Center, Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs
Part of the Ray Smith Symposium—in conjunction with Syracuse Symposium

For more information contact Emera Bridger Wilson at elbridge@syr.edu