"If you feel that the classical dance of ones settled abroad, knowingly or unconsciously loses its authentic flavour, think again. America-based Anuradha Nehru’s Kuchipudi Kalanidhi troupe took the audience by storm with the dancers rendering Rasa, highlighting the nine dance moods through episodes from the Ramayana. Treated at two levels, Kishore Mosalikanti’s choreography used the narrative alternately with abstract representation, with nritta used to emotive effect...The performance showed enviable group discipline, aesthetic group arrangements using micro-movements of head, eyes, hands etc...Abstract dance, generally brilliantly emotive...full marks for the quality of dancing!"
"Kalanidhi from Washington DC, under Anuradha Nehru, mounted a superb group choreography on Nava Rasa ...all nine dancers joining in to execute a brilliantly coordinated abstract expression...The little flexing of the neck, gracious rising of the hand or pirouetting around the stage in straight lines, arcs, diagonals and circles were very well orchestrated."
"Anuradha Nehru's dignified interpretation of the Annmacharya Kriti in Abheri 'Palukutenalatalli' was a highlight."
"Navarasa: Expressions of Life," Anuradha Nehru's absorbing, 90-minute work for her Bethesda-based Kuchipudi Kalanidhi Foundation, premiered Saturday during the fifth annual Indian Dance Educators Association festival at Montgomery College's Rockville campus.
Most engrossing dance dramas have a good guy and a bad one. "Navarasa" featured an episode from the "Ramayana," a Hindu epic, pitting the godly Rama against the evil king Ravana. But as in much Indian classical dance, "Navarasa's" drama is merely a vessel into which Hindu religious and moral precepts have been poured. "Rasa" can mean mood or emotion, and nine have been laid out in Hindu belief -- love, happiness, fear, sorrow, disgust, wonderment, anger, courage and peace. The nine women of Kuchipudi Kalanidhi take on these attributes without inhibition.
Nehru uses kuchipudi, the deliciously graceful yet rhythmically pungent South Indian classical form, as the
expressive base from which she urges her eight dancers onto an epic and expressive quest. With choreography
contributed by Kishore Mosalikanti; original musical composition by B.V. Balasai (ranging from traditional Indian
ragas to jazzy synthesized riffs); and untranslated lyrics by Uma Eyyuni, "Navarasa" blended both traditional
and contemporary elements in a fully realized evening. The perfect symmetry, the shimmery light and the
refined poses reflected the ultimate "rasa," or mood: true peace and enlightenment, a measure of dharma.
After several years in Indonesia, Anuradha Nehru returned to the Washington classical dance scene in July, 2003, in
a burst of creative energy. In a single month she produced debut performances (rangapravesam) by two of her senior
students, Silpa Thotakura and Chitra Kalyandurg and a program called Kaleidoscope of Kuchipudi featuring eight
dancers. The traditional program was outstanding in every respect. Their dancing reminds one of Martha Graham’s
statement that "dancing speaks what words cannot" because whatever eloquence one can summon is inadequate for these
outstanding dancers. Anuradha Nehru ended an extraordinary month by introducing Indian folk dances at the Freer
Gallery of Art on July 31st. Clearly, having her back on the Washington area classical dance scene raises the standards
and will benefit all of us who love the classical arts.
Nehru in the title role beautifully displays the contrasting emotion of danger and despair at societal rejection
and later the transcendent joy of her conversion. She can convey more emotion by lifting her little finger in the air
and sliding her eyes sideways than I can with all the words in this review.
Superb presentation of Indian Dance......Nehru's performance -- on stage and off -- gives us an excellent standard by
which to measure other performers appearing on stage at the National Geographic Society.
If dances were money, India would be first world and Kuchipudi would be the gold standard. Kuchipudi Kalanidhi's
presentation of the Kuchipudi Quartet was an enchanted evening with history, mythology, worship and choreography
magically swirled into one. The dancers, Anuradha Nehru, Sasikala Penumarthi, Kamala Reddy and Shobha Natarajan, are
all disciples of Kuchipudi master, Vempati Chinnasatyam. From what we witnessed, the legendary performer must also be
a nurturing teacher. His four North American protégés came up with an unforgettable evening.
Through her disciple Amrita Lahiri, Anuradha Nehru showcased that professionalism is possible against all odds. In
her dance - the essence and beauty of Kuchipudi is well brought out.
Anuradha Nehru renders a riveting performance in the lead role as Chandalika... she also seemed an efficient producer
and director..."
....captivating performance...she epitomizes the rare individual who not only performs brilliantly, but can also
discuss her art in a skillful manner...
Slim, attractive and having a commendable grip over the idiom, Anuradha Nehru is a dancer worth watching.
On Sunday evening at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan there was a performance by the danseuse from Washington, Ms. Anuradha
Nehru, and this added fragrance to flower. I can safely say that she is the most accomplished dancer that Vempati
has trained. Her control over her limbs is remarkable and her complete involvement and obvious relish is infectious.
All this made Anuradha's recital a cherishable experience.
The dancer who just conquered Delhi
An evening of Kuchipudi at the capital's Andhra Bhavan starring Anuradha Nehru, a brilliant young dancer come all
the way from Washington, turned out to be an unforgettable show in more ways than one...
.....danced with total feminine grace and abandon...
....dancing was excellent..... particularly memorable performance by Anuradha Nehru...