Ānartam: An Evening of South Asian Classical Dance & Music

This November, join us for a magical evening filled with exceptional live performances of exciting and diverse South Asian Classical dance forms by artists from across the UK. Prepare to be transported to mythological times and places by the dancers’ combination of masterful technique and powerful storytelling… 
 
ĀNARTAM is the dazzling dance showcase at the heart of Nupur Arts‘ annual Nartan Festival. Since its launch in 2015, Nartan has established a legacy of promoting cultural exchange, preserving traditional art forms and fostering appreciation for diverse South Asian traditions. This edition of Ānartam will be another unforgettable celebration of the transcendent power of dance, honouring a decade of artistic excellence and cultural heritage.

Age guidance: Suitable for all ages
Running time: 2 hours and 40 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

Meet the Artists

Vinod Nair
Vinod Nair will be performing Kuchipudi in a solo and a trio piece. Vinod is a dancer and choreographer with over 20 years of training and performance experience, having studied Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi under illustrious gurus. Currently under the mentorship and guidance of Sreelakshmi Govardhan, Kerala, Vinod is exploring and developing new and exciting works within the traditional Yakshagana tradition of Kuchipudi, seeking to preserve its heritage while bringing fresh creative expression to the art form. His performance career includes appearances at prestigious venues and events including the O2 Arena, Houses of Parliament, Indian High Commission, Southbank, Diwali in Trafalgar Square, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Lord Mayor’s Show, The Nehru Centre, London and Bharat Bhavan, as well as international performances in Canada, Germany and India.

The notable productions that he has been part of are DASHAVATARAM DANCE DRAMA, THE LORD OF THE DANCE, PRALAYA, SAMYOGITA and SEASONS OF LOVE.

He has a passion for dance, performing, choreographing and developing new work rooted in the richness of India’s classical traditions. He is also deeply committed to sharing his love of Kuchipudi and is one of the founding members of Kuchipudi Connect.

Follow Vinod @v_n_dancer

Follow Kuchipudi Connect @kuchipudi_connect

Vani Lakshamana Rama Krishna
Performing with Vinod and Sampada in a Kuchipudi trio is Vani Lakshamana Rama Krishna. Vani is a Kuchipudi dancer with over 20 years of learning and practice, currently training under Guru Dr Padmini Krishnan. Under her guidance, Vani has deepened her practice through refined technique and abhinaya, theoretical learning rooted in the Natyashastram, and a closer understanding of the meaning, context and narrative behind the compositions she learns.

Her performance journey spans historic temples and cultural platforms in India, including Doordarshan in 2014, and, since moving to the UK, local council events, cultural celebrations and stages including TEDx, The Nehru Centre, London, and the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Stanmore. Alongside performing, Vani co-founded Kuchipudi Connect in London. Through both her artistic practice and community work, she continues to explore how Kuchipudi can connect with diverse audiences while remaining rooted in its tradition.

Follow Vani @__vanikrishnan__

Follow Kuchipudi Connect @kuchipudi_connect

Sampada Potdar
Joining Vinod and Vani in a Kuchipudi trio is Sampada Potdar. Sampada is a Kuchipudi dancer based in London. She has over 10 years of learning and performing experience in the art form. Trained under different gurus in Hyderabad, Sampada now brings her enthusiasm and love for Kuchipudi to London through active participation in several performances and workshops. She is one of the core founding members of Kuchipudi Connect.

She learns and practises Kuchipudi because of her deep love for her motherland’s culture and is especially drawn to the storytelling aspect of the craft.

Dance has taught Sampada to conduct life with grace, even in moments of hustle and distress. To her, Kuchipudi feels like worship, divinity, magnanimity, beauty, innocence, strength, and tranquillity all at the same time.

Follow Sampada @sampada_potdar
Follow Kuchipudi Connect @kuchipudi_connect

Meghna Lokabhirama Nandini Raju
Meghna Lokabhirama Nandini Raju will be performing a Bharatanatyam solo and duet. Meghna began her training in Bharatanatyam aged four with Vidushi Smt. Sreelakshmi Kumar, Director of Uma Maheshwara Nrityakalakshetra, Mysore and then with Smt. Vidushi Roopashree Madhusudhan, Director of Nrityaganga Pradarshaka Kala Kendra, Bangalore. From 2014 she trained at the Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, and has performed extensively as a key ensemble member in all their major productions, both in India and abroad.

She has received awards including first prize in Bharatanatyam from the Amara Kala Sangha, Mysore; Times of India Fresh Face 2013; ‘Best Outgoing Student’ from RDFCA, Kalakshetra Foundation; and a dance marathon Guinness World Record.

Meghna is currently under the guidance of Sri KP Rakesh, Chennai and lives in London, UK. She works with companies including Beeja Dance, Sanskriti UK, Yoga Hook, Royal Academy of Dance, Seeta Patel Dance, Sanskruti Cambridge and Akademi. Meghna teaches workshops for mixed abilities at various schools in the UK.

Follow Meghna @meghnalnr

Varun Shivakumar
Varun Shivakumar will perform a Bharatanatyam solo and duet.

Varun began his Bharatanatyam journey at the age of five under the guidance of Smt. Gayatri Sriram and his Parama Guru, Karnataka Kalashree Smt. Minal Prabhu. He trained at Shruthi Laya School of Dance in Singapore for over 15 years and completed his Arangetram in 2022.

Since then, Varun has had the opportunity to perform internationally at prestigious venues and festivals. His recent appearances include the Spirit of Youth Series at The Music Academy Madras, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha’s Ilamayil Thiramai Series, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Narada Gana Sabha, and Kalakshetra Foundation. In recognition of his promise as a young dancer, he received the Best Performer Award 2024 from Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. He has also completed Phase 1 of the Navarasa Sadhana Course under the tutorship of Guru Venu G.

Now based in the UK, 20-year-old Varun continues his artistic journey under Sri Shijith Nambiar and Smt. Parvathy Menon, while performing with various artistic organisations and productions.

Follow Varun @varun.shivakumar_

Nupur Arts Ensemble
Performing a Bharatanatyam group piece will be Nupur Arts Ensemble, comprising Bharatanatyam artists Nidhi Joshi, Shreya Vadnerkar, Alisha Vaghela and Jyothsna Giddu. Most of the group have trained at Nupur Arts under the guidance of Guruji Smita Vadnerkar, with further training from Bhagya Lakshmi Thyagarajan, Shyla Rajwadha and as part of the CAT (Yuva Gati) programme.

The company dancers have worked with the likes of Seeta Patel, Aakash Odedra and Kamala Devam and explore their own choreography through teaching and creating their own works.

PC: @aldo.dancephotography

Sonia Sabri MBE
One half of the show will be a Kathak performance by Sonia Sabri MBE, accompanied by live music from the world-class Indian Classical musicians Sarvar Sabri, Gulfam Sabri and Pulkit Sharma.

Sonia is a multi-award-winning dance artist, choreographer and movement director and Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company. She is one of the world’s leading Kathak dancers and the first British-born female Kathak dancer to be fully trained in the UK. With a reputation for innovation, collaboration and education, and touring globally, her work spans from the presentation of classical roots of Kathak to explorations of contemporary approaches. Her productions challenge pre-conceptions, reflect under-represented cultures and tackle contemporary issues in British society.

Follow Sonia and her company @soniasabrico
PC: @simonphoto

Sarvar Sabri
Sarvar Sabri is an internationally renowned tabla player and composer whose versatility and passion for rich diversity of the world’s musical traditions has spurred him to experiment with other world-class musicians, composers and dancers. A top-grade awardee of All India Radio, he has worked with the world’s leading vocalists, musicians and dancers. He is involved with collaborative, hybrid work, composing music for theatre, storytelling, dance companies, radio and television. He is a recipient of Arts Council Composer for Dance Award.

PC: Pulkit Sharma

Gulfam Sabri
Gulfam Sabri is an internationally acclaimed Sufiana and Ghazal vocalist from New Delhi, India. He is also a skilled santoor, harmonium and tabla player who has performed widely across the US, Europe, Africa, Australia, South-East Asia, and India, collaborating with musicians from both Eastern and Western traditions in the music and theatre industries. Committed to musical education, Gulfam teaches in schools, universities, and conservatoires in the UK and internationally.