ABHINAYA DANCE COMPANY ANNOUNCES ITS 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION NATYA DHAARA

WHO: Abhinaya Dance Company, an Indian classical dance company founded by Artistic Director Mythili Kumar.   

WHAT: Natya Dhaara (the unceasing flow of dance), a 45th anniversary concert including performances, panel discussion and live music.

WHEN: Sunday, August 3 at 3 pm

WHERE: Canada College Main Theatre, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City

TICKETS: Free Admission for Friends of Abhinaya Dance Company (yearly subscription group) $35-$50; Early Bird Discount available until June 15

To purchase tickets, visit: www.abhinaya.org

Abhinaya Dance Company, an Indian classical dance company founded by Artistic Director Mythili Kumar celebrates its 45th anniversary on Sunday, August 3rd, 3 pm at Canada College in Redwood City. 

The concert titled Natya Dhara, the unceasing flow of dance, traces the progression of the classical South Indian style of Bharatanatyam, from its traditional roots to its current expression in the United States, through the extensive repertoire of the Abhinaya Dance Company. The legacy derived from the temple dancers and traditional gurus of the art has flourished in this new environment, and given rise to collaborations, experimentation and innovative performances by the Company. 

Highlights of the anniversary concert include:

• Performances by Company dancers and alumni, showcasing Mythili Kumar and Rasika Kumar’s choreography and iconic pieces from past productions. 

• Panel discussions exploring the evolution and impact of Bharatanatyam. 

• Live music by acclaimed artists: Asha Ramesh, Shanthi Narayan, N. Narayan, Srikanth Chary, Mythili Kumar, and Malavika Walia.

“We are grateful to celebrate 45 years of Abhinaya Dance Company. Since its founding, the Company has been dedicated to propagating the cultural heritage of India through instruction and performances of Indian classical dance. I am touched that so many of our alumni dancers are coming back to the Bay Area to perform at the anniversary event. We look forward to connecting with our community and sharing our love of dance,” says Mythili Kumar, Artistic Director of Abhinaya Dance Company.

Abhinaya Dance Company’s programs are supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose, the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, SV Creates in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, and individual donations. Past funders include the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Abhinaya Dance Company, a San Jose-based Indian classical dance company celebrates its 45th anniversary with Natya Dhaara (the unceasing flow of dance), an afternoon of performances, panel discussion and live music.

About Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose
The Abhinaya Dance Company of San José was founded by its Artistic Director, Mythili Kumar in 1980, to present innovative and professional quality performances of South Indian classical dance forms. 

Since 1991, Abhinaya has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, California Arts Council, and City of San José, for its collaborations with musicians, Kathak (The Guru-1991 with Chitresh Das Dance Company), Margaret Wingrove – (modern dance company – 1993), Japanese Taiko drummers (In the Spirit with SJ Taiko-1993 and 2010), and a Balinese ensemble (Ramayana – with Gamelan Sekar Jaya- 1997, 2010). 

The company has appeared several times in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and in several different Asian Performing Arts Festivals. Abhinaya has been invited to present its acclaimed dance theater production, Gandhi – The Mahatma, at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, and in 2007 to New York and New Jersey. Abhinaya has also won recognition through the Isadora Duncan dance awards committee for its collaboration with SJ Taiko and its 2016 production of Vaanara Leela.

Abhinaya offers ongoing classes for students of all ages in San José and Monte Sereno. 

For more information visit: www.abhinaya.org