Neelima Raju/Rangamandala
Edison, New Jersey, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2015
Music
Press
Poised performance. Elan and aesthetics mark Neelima Raju’s dance recital.” The Hindu, 2001. - The Hindu
“She danced her way into the hearts of the audience. Enchantingly the effort seemed to be successful explorations of the ideal of making the dance assume an exquisite form of visual music.” The Hindu, 2006. - The Hindu
Various papers, press in different languages - Various newspapers
Selected Press1. Truly classic– “Neelima performed a full-fledged concert adhering to the tradition.” The Hindu, 2010.
2. Neelima Raju’s Kuchipudi solo wowed. “She danced her way into the hearts of the audience. Enchantingly the effort seemed to be successful explorations of the ideal of making the dance assume an exquisite form of visual music.” The Hindu, 2006.
3. “Neelima exhibited remarkable grasp of the lyrical grace of the Ashtapadhi and its erotic aura of abiding passion in the broad play of divine love between Radha and Krishna in the rite of spring.” The Indian Express, 2006.
4. “The presentation of various expressions from the well-known composition of Goswami Tulsidas proved that Kuchipudi is traditional among all styles. Audience was spell bound by the performance of Neelima on the plate. She was successful in leaving a memorable mark in the heart of the audience.” The Times of India, Jabalpur, 2001.
5. “Neelima Raju- delicate and intricate patterns. Poised performance. Elan and aesthetics mark Neelima Raju’s dance recital.” The Hindu, 2001.
6. “The charming Kuchipudi recital by promising danseuse Neelima Raju, impressed the art lovers. With a flair for expression, her recital was impressive.” The Indian Express, 2001.
7. “Neelima, sans exuberance, that is so common in classical dance recitals nowadays, stood out as a paradigm of balance between nritta, nritya and natya.” The Hindu, 1997.
8. “Grace says it all– Be it Shringara, Ananda or Veera rasa, with delectable quality of precision and beauty, her exposition of various facets of Rasabhava mirrored her fecund imagination, spontaneity and appreciation of the nuances of the composition. Neelima’s footwork, full of lithe grace is indication of her dedication to the art.” The Indian Express, 1997. - Clips of Reviews
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Kuchipudi, is a unique performance tradition from Southeast India. Theatre, Dance and Music traditions have existed in various parts of India since the second century BC. In the 13th century AD, based on the existing religious, social, political, economic, and cultural atmosphere a unique travelling, all male, theatrical, musical and dance tradition was codified by an ascetic named Siddhendra Yogi in the village of Kuchipudi. This unique form, known as Kuchipudi, taking the name of the village, evolved through the centuries and was passed on as an oral tradition between the mentor and the student. The performance uses rhythm (feet), movement (body and space), and gesture and mime techniques for communication of abstract or contextual pieces.
About Neelima- Neelima started learning dance since 1985. Most of the traditional performing arts are taught as a mentorship, in India. She joined the Kuchipudi Kalakshetra, a premier institution for Kuchipudi and was mentored by Mr Hari Rama Murthy and internationally renowned choreographer and Guru Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam since 1987. Both her mentors hail from the village of Kuchipudi and are the hereditary practioners of the art form. Performing since the year 1994 she has many solo performances to her credit, winning the approval of critics and dance lovers alike.
Selected Performances—
(2013) Hindu Temple Society, NY. Chicago Fringe Festival-3 performances. Cape May Stage, NJ.
(2012) Hindu Temple, Atlanta. SV Temple, Pittsburgh. Albany Indian Association.
(2011) Kent State University. Sai Narayana Organization, Richmond,VA.
(2010) Kalabharathi, India. India International Center, New Delhi, India. Henrico County Theatre, Richmond, VA.
Kuchipudi Nrityotsav (1997-Central Sangeet Natak Academy). Vishaka Utsav (1996 & 1998 Govt of Andhra Pradesh). Sagar Utsav (1999 Dept of Culture, Govt of Andhra Pradesh).4th Biennial World Telugu Conference (2000). Gunghroo Festival (2001, Ustad Allaudin Khan Sangeet Academy, Govt of M.P).Konark Music and Dance Festival (2002). Annual Music and Dance Festival (2002-Chennai). Tour of Orrisa (2003, South Zone Cultural Center, Govt of India). National Center for the Performing Arts, Mumbai (2006). Triveni (2006-USA).Indian Association of Buffalo (2007).
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