Bharatnatyam: Stories of Nayikas (Heroines) and Sakhis (Heroine's Friends)

This lecture and performance will provide a brief overview of the aesthetics and vocabulary of Bharatanatyam by covering two types of presentations in Indian Classical dance: Nritta (pure dance) and Natya (storytelling). Arno and Ashvini will each narrate and present a love story exploring different mental states of a romantic heroine, either through the eyes of the heroine or those of her friend.

Ashvini Sundaram is a Bharatanatyam performance artist receiving ongoing training from Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan. Ashvini studied Behavioural Neuroscience at UBC and now works in research at the Children’s Health Policy Centre at SFU. She is also trained in Carnatic music, ballet and contemporary dance.

Arno Kamolika is a Bharatanatyam artist and instructor who has been trained under Padmabhushan Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar (India), Sharmila Banerjee (Bangladesh) and Jai Govinda (Canada). Her journey in this South Indian dance form has been complemented by her training in architecture, Bengali music and other form of Indian classical dances.