Natya Dhaara

Abhinaya Dance Company celebrated 45^th anniversary with Natya Dhaara
August 3^rd at Canada College, Redwood City

Abhinaya Dance Company, a San Jose-based Indian classical dance company founded by Artistic Director Mythili Kumar celebrated its 45^th anniversary on Sunday, August 3^rd at Canada College in Redwood City, with a special concert titled Natya Dhaara, the unceasing flow of dance.

Members of the Abhinaya Dance Company community were thrilled to be a part of the celebration and commented: "Abhinaya has given me the space to grow as a performing artist and expanded my perspective of Bharatanatyam beyond cultural boundaries,” said Aishwarya Venkat, a teacher and company performer.

Venkat continued: "At Abhinaya, I’ve learned that disciplined practice and collaborative teaching are at the heart of artistic excellence."

Abhinaya musicians Narayanan and Shanthi (whose daughter Sindhu Natarajan is a company dancer, former teacher, and musician) stated: “[Mythili Kumar] a teacher par excellence celebrating 45 dancing years of dedication, commitment and passion who gracefully guides and teaches young aspiring students to become "Dancing Jewels" and inspires them to continue this beautiful art form.”

The event opened with a warm pre-show community gathering, reuniting alumnae who have been inspired to continue practicing the demanding art of Bharatanatyam—even while pursuing careers beyond dance. This segment featured a traditional foundational piece, emblematic of the training every Abhinaya student receives.

Artistic Director Mythili Kumar then took the stage for a brief solo invocation to the Supreme Goddess. This solo then transitioned into a group presentation of an abstract rhythmic composition symbolizing the blossoming of dance and floral offerings to the divine—a piece originally created in 1998.

Next was performed Pushpanjali—an offering of flowers followed by Navarasa-nine emotions embodied in the Supreme dancer, Shiva. This piece, first featured in the 1990 production Epic Emotions, reflects Abhinaya’s deep-rooted legacy.

Company dancers Pooja Sohoni, Sindhu Natarajan, Aishwarya Venkat, Vaishali Ramachandran, and Amrita Rajan performed an excerpt from the production on Prithvi-the earth describing various incarnations of the earth goddess, Bhu Devi.

Mythili Kumar also presented a short lecture-demonstration, reflecting on her journey with both traditional and innovative choreography, complemented by curated video excerpts.

Rasika Kumar, soloist and choreographer dramatically presented a classic masterpiece Gitopadesam from Abhinaya’s repertoire that described the conflict of the warrior Arjuna and his dialogue with Krishna from the ancient epic Mahabharata.

The program also included discussions with alumnae who shared their personal experiences with Bharatanatyam and its enduring impact.

The second half of the concert featured Rasika Kumar’s dynamic choreography Manmatha—a vibrant celebration of the God of Love in springtime. Originally premiered in 2015’s Love Exquisite, the piece featured Mythili Kumar’s other daughter Malavika Walia, Director of Abhinaya’s Junior Company, alongside returning alumnae.

Mythili Kumar presented two expressional pieces, the first depicting a maiden praising the qualities of her beloved Krishna and the second the poignant episode of Nandan, the poor low caste farmer who was denied a glimpse of the temple deity.  

The evening concluded with a high-energy Thillana, blending grace, fluid movement, and complex rhythms—a joyful grand finale featuring the full ensemble.

All performances were accompanied by a stellar live orchestra featuring Asha Ramesh, Shanthi Narayan, N. Narayan, Srikanth Chary, Mythili Kumar, Malavika Walia and Rasika Ku mar.

For more information about Abhinaya Dance Company visit https://abhinaya.org