INVITED PERFORMERS
ODISSI
Dr. Smt. Aparupa Chatterjee, hailing from New Jersey, USA, the artistic director of the Odissi Dance Company for over a decade, is a former ensemble dancer from Bhubaneshwar of the world renowned Odissi Institution, ‘Srjan’, founded by Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the legend of Odissi.
Aparupa, a leading torchbearer of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana in the US is a PhD from Texas A&M University and brought Odissi to Austin, Texas in 2007 when she founded the Int'l Institute for Culture and Performing Arts Development (IICPD) at Texas A&M University.
Chatterjee, a recipient of fellowships from the Board of Regents, North Dakota Council on the Arts and NEA also curates the Kelucharan Guna Keertanam festival.
Additionally, Aparupa, a prime feature on Dancing with the Stars on USA'S ABC has been bestowed with Sur Sansad Mumbai's Singar Mani, Padmavati Pratibha Samman and Indian Raga's Senior Fellowship.
She has also performed and worked as an ambassador for Odissi for 'Tarang' - a 3D movie on Aparupa's Odissi dance, which won Los Angeles Disney Film Festival's best 3D Film and was also featured in Beyond Festival @ Karlsruhe, Germany, International Short Film Festival @ Oberhausen, Germany, and KIF Festival @ Seoul, South Korea.
“The most successful and charmingly communicative number…” - The New York Times
KATHAK
Ammr Vandal began her Kathak training in Lahore, Pakistan, studying under the late Maharaj Ghulam Hussain and Nahid Siddiqui during Zia Ul-Haq’s regime, when women were banned from dancing in public. After moving to NYC, she resumed her training under Parul Shah, a disciple of Padma Vibushan Kumudini Lakhia, and became a prominent performer with the Parul Shah Dance Company. Ammr has also presented solo performances, earning recognition for her emotive storytelling and technical precision. She continues to evolve as a choreographer and performer, creating work that bridges traditional Kathak and contemporary narratives while honoring the form’s rich cultural history.
PC: Mr. Hari Venkatesan
Conceptualization, Artistic Direction,
Choreography, Production logo design and Costume design
Dr. Janaki Rangarajan
Dr. Janaki Rangarajan is an accomplished performer who has performed across many national and international platforms to critical acclaim. She is known for her precision in Nritta, outstanding flexibility and graceful and convincing Abhinaya, which reflects a rare depth. She is also an accomplished dance choreographer and teacher. A recipient of many awards, Janaki received the "Kala Rathna" award from
Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana in 2013, Yagnaraman Award of Excellence from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (Chennai) and MetroDC Dance award in 2012, and the Nadanamamani award from Kartik Fine Arts (Chennai) in 2011. Janaki has had the honor of performing at various prestigious venues including The Music Academy (Chennai), Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (Chennai), NCPA (Mumbai), ICCR-Azad
Bhavan (Delhi), Musee Guimet (Paris), Esplanade (Singapore), Jacob's Pillow (US) and multiple times at the Kennedy Center (US). Janaki has performed in the USA, Canada, India, UK, Australia, Argentina, France, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Latvia, Egypt, Chile, Brazil, Peru, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Africa. Janaki is an ICCR empaneled and a
Doordarshan graded artiste. Apart from being a performer/choreographer, she has also taught, mentored and guided scores of students across the globe. For more information: https://drjanakirangarajan.wixsite.com/dr-janaki-rangarajan
