Dr. Sunanda Nair is Mohiniyattam performer, teacher, and proponent, who has gained high acclaim both in India and across its shores. Even as she continues to approach the art form with the curiosity of a novice, she is the first Indian to complete her Masters in Mohiniyattam. This represents a different dimension of passion, one where a physical familiarity combines with a theoretical grip of the underlying motive behind every move.
LIFE
She is a disciple of renowned artisan and researcher, Padmabhusan Dr. Kanak Rele. Dr. Rele founded the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya and is often credited for revitalizing Mohiniyattam among the masses. Dr. Sunanda continued teaching at her alma mater post-graduation, which is beloved to many as it was first in India to focus primarily on classical dance. Today, her students form the vanguard of a new age and interpretation of traditional dance and Mohiniyattam in India.
STYLE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Her compositions contain a controlled vigor and are beloved for their clarity and grace. Her portrayal of characters is breathtaking, be it the anger and hope of a lover to the despair and yearning from a devotee. Each role comes to life for the audience on stages that pan a wide range of venues. She has displayed her art in the former USSR, North Korea, cities across North America, and Asia, as well as significant festivals around India as well. She is an icon in the field, passionately forging newer avenues in the nritya she loves.
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