Kuchipudi Indian Dance

Title: Indian dance performance showcasing festivals of India.

The performance will include visuals(PowerPoint projections) from legends that correspond to some of India's important festivals. The dancers will present a brief demonstration to explain the gestures they will incorporate and present dances honoring Gods and Goddesses who are prayed to, during these festivals.

The audience will try a few hand gestures and also participate in a coloring activity that connects with the festivals.

Performer Bio:

Sarada Nori is the founder and artistic director of Layavinyasa, a non-profit organization that propagates Kuchipudi dance and Carnatic classical music originating from south India. She has been a part of prestigious festivals such as the International Festival of Arts and Ideas at Yale and conducted workshops and demonstrations in and around New England. She holds a Masters's degree in Arts, specializing in Kuchipudi, and explores creative learning methods to connect with students from diverse backgrounds. As an active member of the community, she engages in extensive community outreach by articulating these artforms at public libraries, educational institutions, corporate houses, non-profit organizations, religious institutions, and organizations focused on the Indian diaspora. Sarada's work has been funded by New England Foundation for the Arts, Middletown Commission on Arts, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Connecticut Office of the Arts, and the CT humanities.