A Collaborative Professional Performance Initiative of Carnatic Music, Kuchipudi Dance & Other Music & Dance Traditions from across The Globe |
A Collaborative Professional Performance Initiative of Carnatic Music, Kuchipudi Dance & Other Music & Dance Traditions from across The Globe |
Kritya ensemble is a collaborative/interdisciplinary initiative between Carnatic musicians and Kuchipudi dance founded by Yamini Kalluri. We create work originating from ancient South Indian traditions which are rooted in spirituality and social themes. We also collaborate with other world traditions to expand the scope and vocabulary of Kuchipudi and Carnatic music. We meet a few times every month to rehearse and create dialogue to challenge norms which are no more relevant to the present climate and to preserve precious elements about our traditions. Every year we look forward to creating new original works to present our works internationally.
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/ Performances
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Inspiration for the Music Ensemble...
"When I was 9 years old, I had the privilege of witnessing my first live rehearsal with my teacher, Dr. Sobha Naidu, and her Carnatic music troupe. She was dancing to the Daruvu 'Devadevi' in Saindhavi Ragam from the Kuchipudi ballet Vipranarayana, choreographed by Dr. Vempati Chinnasatyam. Watching her dance in perfect harmony with the live musicians, I was mesmerized. In that moment, I remember thinking, 'I wish I could dance to live music every day of my life.' That feeling still moves me to this day—it was pure magic. The synchronicity and unspoken chemistry between artists always brings me to tears. Rehearsals hold a special place in my heart because they strip away the external pressures of performance and allow us to focus entirely on the art itself. It becomes a sacred space where creation happens. In many ways, I love rehearsals more than the final performances, because they’re about the process, not the applause. Later in my journey, I had the immense honor of accompanying my teacher as a vocalist in some of her shows. My background in Carnatic music, which I had trained in from the age of 5 to 18, led her to entrust me with musical arrangements for several of her final choreographies. These experiences remain among the most treasured of my life, shaping both my artistry and my dedication to preserving the deep connection between dance and music." Inspiration for the Modern Dance Ensemble "After I began training in modern dance and ballet alongside my Kuchipudi practice, I found myself naturally choreographing phrases to Western classical music that deeply moved me. Even though I felt insecure about sharing my crossover work—blending Indian classical dance with Western classical music—because I was still new to modern dance, I pushed through my self-doubt. I posted it on Instagram, driven purely by my love for the art form. To my surprise, these posts caught the attention of the renowned violinist Vijay Gupta, who later commissioned me for his residency at Music Worcester. He needed a group dancer for This Love Between Us, a composition by Reena Esmail. That’s when I formed the Kritya Modern Dance Ensemble, which allowed us to premiere at the historic Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. For this project, I made sure all the dancers trained in Kuchipudi fundamentals to honor the crossover between Indian classical and Western dance forms. Reena’s music, which beautifully fuses Hindustani and Western classical traditions, became a natural fit for the ensemble. This experience not only solidified my collaboration with Vijay and Reena but also deepened my passion for bridging artistic worlds. It’s one of the reasons we continue to work together frequently—our shared love for cross-cultural, cross-genre creations." Inspiration for the Kuchipudi Dance Ensemble "After witnessing and experiencing a toxic environment in the Kuchipudi dance world—where bullying, body shaming, and unhealthy competition were all too common—I made the difficult decision to go solo at the age of 16. Touring internationally allowed me to distance myself from these harmful behaviors. But as I grew as an artist, I realized that isolation wasn’t the answer. I began having inspiring conversations with my dear friend, Isha Nager, who helped me see that the power to create a healthy and supportive group atmosphere was in my own hands. Determined to change the old, toxic narratives within the Kuchipudi community and bring new hope, I founded the Kritya Kuchipudi Dance Ensemble. My goal was to set a positive example for the dance world—fostering an environment where dancers could thrive together, supporting and uplifting one another. I also wanted to work with advanced-level dancers who could bring my choreographic vision to life and push the boundaries of traditional and abstract material. We train rigorously multiple times a week, but we make sure to prioritize joy, creativity, and camaraderie in our rehearsals. This ensemble isn’t just about perfecting technique—it’s about building a new, healthy legacy for Kuchipudi and ensuring that the dancers are as fulfilled as I am by the art we create together." — Yamini Kalluri, Founder of Kritya Ensemble |
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