Parallel Life

The other discipline.

Kuchipudi

I learn and perform Kuchipudi, one of the eight classical dance forms of India, named after a village in Andhra Pradesh. It began as theatre, so every piece is a story first, told through the body: footwork to the rhythm, movement to the music, and the meaning in the face. Its signature item, the tarangam, is danced on the rim of a brass plate.

I learnt it for ten years as a child, then stayed away from the stage for fifteen. Recently I came back to it, and I'm performing again! I train at Nishrinkala Dance Academy in Hyderabad, in the style of Padma Bhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam. I'm forever grateful to my guru, Sai Venkata Gangadhar, for being so patient with me.

I'm building a community of dancers in the Bay Area through Kuchipudi Meetups. We meet to practice together, and host workshops too. If you're interested, reach out!

On the stage

Off the stage

I will travel any distance, at any unreasonable hour, for good ice cream, and I cook something new whenever I can. If you have a recipe worth trying, send it to me.