This salon series explores the power of solo bharatanatyam repertoire. By way of discussion, performance, and (usually) food, we learn about and explore what this timeless repertoire still gives us today.

Also, we just love varnams. The varnam is often the “main” piece in a solo bharatanatyam performance. It allows a dancer to go deep into content and explore his or her connection to the timeless characters in these pieces. It often lasts between 20-40 minutes, with some varnams by senior masters lasting over 50 minutes to packed halls.

Varnam Salon 3.0 features online performances and conversations by Mythili Prakash, Ganesh Vaseduva, Navya Maitri Konda, and Vibha Raju.

The Varnam Salon is a series of performances by California-based senior art practitioners, mid-career artists and upcoming dancers. This initiative is supported by the California Arts Council Local Impact Grant and is created and curated by Nadhi Thekkek, Shruti Abhishek, and Preethi Ramaprasad.

Note: One evening is $21. A weekend pass to both evenings is $31.

Mythili Prakash

Mythili Prakash belongs to a new generation of classical Indian dancers. She is one of the most celebrated and respected young Bharata Natyam dancer/choreographers today. A second generation Indian and American artist, Mythili has positioned herself as a global and cosmopolitan artist through her unique experiences and collaborations. Her repertoire is an embodiment of narratives of the many worlds that shape her.

Raised in Los Angeles, she grew up in an environment filled with dance and music, under the watchful eye of her mother and teacher dance exponent Viji Prakash. Mythili began her performing career with her solo debut in India at the age of eight and has since performed extensively in prestigious venues and festivals throughout the world. She has studied with several legendary stalwarts from India, and is now under the tutelage of India’s acclaimed artist, Malavika Sarukkai.

Mythili has toured her own solo productions in the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, India, Singapore, the United States and Mexico. She is recipient of numerous accolades from premiere institutions of Dance and Music in India. She is a recipient of the Creation to Performance Grant from the Irvine Dance Foundation and Artistic Innovation Grant from the Center for Cultural Innovation.

Nominated by celebrated dancer/choreographer Akram Khan as “choreographer of the future” for UK-based Dance Umbrella’s “Four by four commissions,” Mythili premiered her solo work “HERE and NOW” at their 2019 Festival.

She is currently touring in Akram Khan Company’s “Outwitting the Devil.” 

Ganesh Vasudeva

Ganesh Vasudeva has been training in Bharatanatyam for more than 30 years. He has trained under able Gurus such as Bragha Bessel, A Lashman Swamy, Shreelata Suresh and Chandrashekhara Navada. Ganesh has choreographed and presented his own work to critical acclaim. Ganesh's research interests include male-oriented compositions and Nayaka & Maratha period dance compositions.

Navya Maitri Konda (student showcase)

Navya Maitri Konda had her formative training in Bharatanatyam under Smt. Deepa Mahadevan and pursues further training under Smt. Shweta Prachande. In addition, after graduating from Stanford University in 2019, she spent 6 months in Chennai, during which time she also had the opportunity of observing and learning abhinaya under Guru Smt. Priyadarsini Govind. Navya Maitri holds a certificate in Bharatanatyam from Alagappa Arts University and has performed in venues across 5 countries and at the United Nations General Assembly. As she passionately continues her practice and pursuit of this artistic tradition, she also thoroughly enjoys working at 60 Decibels and advising the Stanford Speakers Bureau. 

Vibha Raju (student showcase)

Vibha Raju is an advanced disciple of Smt. Soumya Tilak Seshadri. After completing her arangetram in 2012, Vibha has performed in the USA under organizations such as Yuva Bharati and IDIA, and during the Margazhi season in Chennai under sabhas such as Mylapore Fine Arts, Kartik Fine Arts, and Sri Thyaga Bramha Gana Sabha. Vibha is currently a high school senior at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley.