Meet the women continuing India’s classical dance legacy in New Zealand

Photo: Sasi Harsha India's traditional dances sit deep in the heart of the country's cultural legacy, a legacy that can be traced back thousands of years. Written in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian text titled Natya Shastra documents several classical Indian dances that have evolved over millennia and are mainly based on religion and mythology. The text mentions the collective Sanskrit term Shastriya Nritya, which denotes eight classical Indian dances, including Kathak from the north, Sattriya and Manipuri from the northeast and Odissi from the east. It also features four classical dance forms that are popular in southern India, including bharatanatyam which has roots in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, kuchipudi which comes from Andhra Pradesh, and kathakali and mohiniyattam - both of which trace their roots to Kerala. These dance forms provide an avenue for parents to pass on their cultural heritage to children of Indian descent in New Zealand, prompting a mushrooming of Indian classical dance schools in major centres across the country. Below, we profile some prominent exponents of classical Indian dance in the country. Prabha Ravi Prabha Ravi, a first-time councillor on the Hutt City Council, started the Natraj School of Dance teaching bharatanatyam in the Wellington region nearly three decades ago. Ravi believes that teaching Indian classical dance keeps Indian children connected to their roots, culture and identity, while offering others a meaningful way to engage with one of the world's oldest living art forms. "It builds discipline, storytelling [capabilities], emotional intelligence and cultural understanding," said Ravi, who started with 15 students and has since trained thousands from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Photo: Supplied Anuradha Ramkumar Another well-known veteran teacher in New Zealand is Anuradha Ramkumar, who established Nrityabhinaya-Anuradha's School of Indian Dances in 1996, which has spearheaded the growth and development of kuchipudi and bharatanatyam in Auckland. Ramkumar was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 for "providing opportunities for future generations of New Zealand Indians to maintain links to their cultural heritage through dance". "Over the years, thousands of men and women from diverse backgrounds, including members of the Māori community, have sought to learn these [Indian classical dances] revered art forms," Ramkumar said. "It's amazing to see students from diverse backgrounds embracing our traditions and making them their own. "Teaching Indian classical dances extend beyond the dance floor. It helps students to connect with their culture and heritage, build confidence, and develop valuable life skills like discipline and creativity." Photo: Supplied Uma Verma Uma Verma, who founded Revathi Performing Arts dance school in Christchurch, has been teaching and promoting bharatanatyam since 2009. Verma said Indian classical dances not only preserved age-old traditions but also helped build cultural understanding in an increasingly multicultural society. "Indian classical dances help children stay connected to their cultural roots ... and, for non-Indian students, it's a meaningful way to experience and respect an ancient art form," she said. Apart from bharatanatyam, kathak is another Indian classical dance form that is very popular in New Zealand. Photo: Supplied Mansi Namjoshi Mansi Namjoshi has been practicing kathak for more than 25 years. She founded the Auckland-based Nupur Dance Academy, which she started in 2018 to teach the art form to all age groups, including kids as young as five years old. Namjoshi calls kathak her "strongest connection to Indian culture and traditions, and a beautiful way to share India's heritage with others". "Over the past seven years, the academy has grown steadily and now has more than 60 students who are learning, performing and enjoying this classical dance form," Namjoshi said. "The academy also offers a structured and certified kathak programme, allowing students to appear for examinations conducted by Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune, India, a globally recognised institution." As a parent herself, Namjoshi felt a responsibility shared by many Indian New Zealanders. "As Indian parents living away from our homeland, we feel a strong responsibility to pass on our roots, traditions and values to our children," Namjoshi said. "Through kathak, we aim to keep this connection with Indian culture alive and meaningful for the younger generation." The kathak teacher said there was a need for arts to evolve with changing times. "[That's why] I make a conscious effort to choreograph both classical and semi-classical compositions, keeping the audience in mind," she said. "This helps people from all backgrounds understand and connect with the beauty of kathak in a simple and expressive language, while still respecting its classical essence." Photo: Vee Kumar Purnima Garg Purnima Garg, who...

Meet the women continuing India’s classical dance legacy in New Zealand

Continue Reading on RNZ

How do you feel about this article?

📝 Article Information

Author

Original Publisher

Published Date

Disclaimer

Meet the women continuing India’s classical dance legacy in New Zealand

Continue Reading on RNZ

How do you feel about this article?

📝 Article Information

Author

Original Publisher

Published Date

Disclaimer

More from RNZ