Mythili Kumar’s Abhinaya Celebrates 45 Years Of Classical Dance And Community
Photo: Pratibimb Photography
India-West Staff Reporter
REDWOOD CITY, CA – When Mythili Kumar moved to the United States in 1978, she brought with her not only a storied performance career in India, but also a vision: to establish a professional dance company that would elevate and preserve the classical art of Bharatanatyam. Two years later, that vision took shape as Abhinaya Dance Company—now a nationally recognized institution in Indian classical arts.
This summer, the Bay Area gets a front-row seat to celebrate Abhinaya’s milestone 45th anniversary with Natya Dhaara, a special concert on August 3 at 3 p.m. at Cañada College. The event kicks off a year-long series of celebrations and reunites generations of dancers shaped by Kumar’s legacy.
“For 45 years, we’ve tried to keep this art form both rooted and relevant,” said Kumar, Abhinaya’s founding Artistic Director. “When I started Abhinaya Dance Company, I could not have imagined that it would impact the lives of so many young people and their families. I am touched that so many alumni dancers are coming back to the Bay Area to perform at the anniversary event.”
Since its founding in 1980, Abhinaya has become a trailblazer in combining traditional Bharatanatyam with contemporary themes—social justice, climate change, and immigrant identity among them. Through powerful storytelling and collaborations across disciplines, the company continues to bring ancient South Indian dance into dialogue with the modern world.
Abhinaya’s dancers have graced stages across the United States and India, from the San Francisco International Arts Festival to the prestigious Natya Kala Conference in Chennai. The company’s excellence has been recognized with grants from leading arts institutions including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the California Arts Council.
The August 3 celebration isn’t just about performance. It’s also about reflection. Natya Dhaara will open with a community gathering and include panel discussions on the evolution of Bharatanatyam. Alumnae will share how the art form has shaped their lives—even as many of them pursued careers outside of dance.
Dr. Padmini Dewan, a former Abhinaya student and now Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Division, is among those returning to the stage. “Over the last few months, it’s been such a pleasure to reconnect with Bharatanatyam, and its inherent beauty and rigor,” she said. “Equally, it’s been a pleasure to reconnect with the Abhinaya community and see how wonderfully the school and company has evolved and grown over the years.”
Dr. Vyju Ramaswamy, another alumna performing in Natya Dhaara, echoed those sentiments. “I have enjoyed the creative and physical challenge with getting back into dance practice and the camaraderie of being in a room and working on a piece together,” she said. “Practice has also re-awakened some of my inner drive and grit. This experience has brought back so many fond memories of my youth, and I feel so fortunate to have learned this art form, to have been a part of this company and see it flourish.”
For more information: https://abhinaya.org.
