“My dance is an extension of who I am. Each lesson that life offers, every breath I take, and every experience that touches me, shapes and enriches my art,” says Nitya Narasimhan about Indian classical dance.
A professional Bharatanatyam dancer, Nitya Narasimhan’s love for the art form started when she was four years old. Although she now resides in California, USA, she frequently travels to India to perform and refine her craft.
As artistic director and founder of “Prayukti Arts,” Narasimhan has created a space in the Bay Area to promote awareness and understanding of South Asian art such as the Indian classical dance of Bharatnatyam. The goal of Prayukti is to build a diverse community that loves and appreciates dance by providing programs for both professionals and amateurs.
The Journey of Nitya Narasimhan as a Dancer
Narasimhan is no stranger to the stage. She has performed with the Nava Dance Theater of San Francisco, the Vidhya Subramanian Ensemble of Cupertino, and the Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose, among many others as a freelancer.
“Life of Pi,” developed and performed by Bharata Alliance, toured widely in the United States; “Ganga to Kaveri,” made and performed by Utsav Music, were two of her significant independent productions. She performed with Guru Rukmini Vijayakumar’s Raadha Kalpa Dance Company and was an essential member of the ensemble. Her duets with fellow dancer Kassiyet Adilkhankyzy, “Samyu—A Union” and “Anma—Ode to Motherhood,” were very popular with American audiences.
She has also performed in ensemble pieces which showcased her range of talent in Indian classical dance forms. While at the Cleveland Tyagaraja Utsavam, she had her students perform in an ensemble piece called “Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava.” Her performances also tackle serious issues prevalent in the South Asian community. At the Broad Statements Dance Festival, she staged a production called “Deflowering.” It was a dissection of the traditional Alarippu, short dance piece, that addressed issues of gender inequality, oppression, abuse, and bias.
The Evolution of Prayukti Arts
Narasimhan launched Prayukti to foster an intentional community for the arts in the Bay Area. Prayukti in Sanskrit means “motive” or “consequence.”
Prayukti Arts, born in 2017 as a humble dance school in the Bay Area, has since blossomed into a larger-scale art group. In June 2022, they embarked on a new chapter, moving into a new location in the South Bay and expanding their horizons.
It offers three different artistic opportunities, such as Nilaya : Artist Residency, Margam Unveiled : Performance Showcase and Mukta : Work In Progress Showcase. Through its programs, participating artists and art enthusiasts from around the world are encouraged to explore South Asian arts with an open heart and mind.
Narasimhan is committed to preserving the traditional principles of Bharatnatyam while recognizing the art form’s troubled history, making the most of its vibrant present, and welcoming its evolving future.
Program Details:
Interplay Arts Festival
June 29, 2024, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Sunnyvale Theatre, 550 E Remington Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, USA