Testimonials
1. Bill Bissel – Director, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Philadelphia, June 2009
“I have wanted to write since last month following the stunning experiences I had at your programs both here at Philadelphia and in New York at the Indian Consulate. I do regret not having the time after the program to say how profoundly your dancing touched me.
Especially at the Consulate, seeing your duet and how your bodies moved with each other, representing different stages of life : I felt living was being transcribed into the content of the dance. I am not sure how I can explain this revelation but it was deeply moving to sense the power of dance again through its connection to the
living body.
In all honesty I am afraid that seeing so much dance and working with artistes from so many genres and capacities, my own sensitivities become dulled and not easily roused. I was so refreshed by your work at both venues. “
2. Viji Prakash – Founder Director, Shakti Dance Company, Los Angeles, Jan 2018
“Enjoyed your set so much ! All three students danced so well, each energizing the dance with their own individuality, and with the beauty of Mohiniyattam you have imparted to them ! A breath of beauty in the chaos called dance yesterday!!”
3. Anurima Banerjee – Assistant Professor at World Arts and Cultures / Dance, UCLA, May 2016
“ It was such a pleasure to have you in our class and lead an amazing workshop. The students certainly enjoyed it, and it was a treat for me to watch you dance and teach the session. It was truly an honour to have you join us and share your knowledge with us…..”
She is an architect of the South Indian classical dance Mohiniattam, along with her mother Bharati Shivaji, and has had a major role to play in the postcolonial revival of the form. She's very well known internationally and has performed at major venues all across India and the globe, including the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. What's great about her work is that she's investigating contemporary approaches to classical dance and has done inventive interpretations oftraditional material – choreographing Swan Lake in Mohiniattam, for instance, and challenging gender norms in the dance as well. She did a workshop here for one of my undergrad classes recently and it was very successful.
5. Shanthi Pillai, Assistant Proffesor Of Theatre Arts at CSU of Long Beach, May 2017
“Everyone was deeply moved by your performance. What a fabulous evening it was for me — and I mean very personally. I really loved the performance and was inspired by not only your mastery but what you are seeking to do with that vocabulary.”
6. Sara Baur-Harding, Documentary Film Maker from LA
“Lasya” grace is considered the essence of the classical Indian dance, Mohiniyattam. As a film maker I was interested in delving deeper into the nature of the dance by looking into the dynamic characters that create the dance. It is not just about the elegant effortless movement of the dance, it is about the strength, fierce intelligence and thoughtfulness generated by its innovators. Bharati Shivaji and Vijayalakshmi are masters of their art form because of their inherent grace. They are truly inspiring as women and artists and I believe they demonstrate the conscientious, empathetic and humble grace that I find truly inspiring.
