Parvatha Chidambaram
PARVATHA CHIDAMBARAM is the Artistic Director of Bharata School of Dance & Music - a 25 year old School of Indian Classical Dance and Music in Rochester, NY. She underwent 11yrs of rigorous training in Bharata Nrityam and Carnatic Music (South Indian Classical dance and music forms) and graduated in theory, practical, teacher's training and nattuvangam (playing the cymbals) courses. Since then she has been actively performing both in solo and group productions in the US and India.
Parvatha gave up her career as a creative director in advertising and became a full-time performer, choreographer and dance teacher. Understanding the intricacies of these art forms enabled her to explore beyond the confined boundaries of her traditional art forms.
She was featured as one of "The Changemakers" at the Rochester Museum of Science which highlighted the actions of area women from diverse backgrounds who were innovators, creators, organizers, leaders, whose life or work was transformative or impactful in ways that influence, challenge, inspire, and empowered others to shape a better future.
Listed below are a few of her performances and choreographic works:
- The Dance Festival of India in Thailand
- A paper on "Link between Tamil Literature & Natya Sastra"
- Featured in a Documentary 'Identity Through Art' along with six Rochester Asian-American artists
- "Light of Asia" a musical on life of Buddha
- Collaborative productions with Irish, Puerto Rican and Tap dancers at School of Arts, India Community center, Hochstein, and Harley
- Raga & Ragini - 'An introduction to the Indian melodic system through visual & performing arts' at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester
- Guru Samarpanam (salutations to teachers) in India
- Hari Hara Smaranam(in praise of Shiva, Vishnu – the gods of the Hindu Pantheon) in India and Rochester
- Raadha Samedha (The Glory of Krishna) in India
- Anvaya (The Binding Thread) in India
- Bharata Annual performances at Hochstein, featuring Classical and fusion pieces like Rhythm of Bells, Signs and many more
In eagerness to bridge the gap between theory and practice, Parvatha has developed her own pedagogy and trained many students to spread the knowledge of these beautiful art forms amongst the younger generations in the US who grow up with different cultures.