srinidhi raghavan

Bharatanatyam Dancer, Choreographer, and Producer 

press

Narthaki - "Voices"

The whole audience experienced so much that night. But for an expert, a Sahrdaya, we could enjoy much more. Due to her rich double culture - born in Chennai, raised in London and living in the United States - taught by her mother and her aunt (Malathy Thothadri in Madras/Chennai) in the most traditional style, Srinidhi is deeply impregnated by two ways of life, both Eastern and Western. Therefore, she can strengthen the originality of the selected themes by treating them in an intelligent, subtle and rich manner. Her mudras and abhinaya are fully traditional with the right nuanced but decisive shift which leads the rasa for a modern audience, Indian or not. I guess only well-trained spectators could note it, but for sure everybody was happy to be so clearly in sync with one another and with the dancer when age-old stories and the eternal state of human nature were brought to life on stage.

Narthaki - "Voices"

"Srinidhi Raghavan’s performance at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in West London was a testament to the skill and dedication of a brilliant and impassioned artiste. The performance was a kaleidoscope of interwoven factors...Srinidhi Raghavan’s fluid and precise nritta was skilfully complemented by intense abhinaya, a delicate mudra here, a subtle glance there. The depiction of the mighty Dasaratha as a guilt-ridden and broken man left the audience stunned. Similarly, watching a young beguiling Kunti battle her emotions both as a young mother and then as an older widow, was moving. Nandanar was a picture of devotion, while the flirtatious gopi in the padam “Thottu thottu pesa varaan” was the definition of a young and lovelorn girl. The sequence of pieces and the portrayal of each character were brilliant. The choreography was a good blend of traditional steps and innovative execution."

The Dance Enthusiast - "Voices"

"Srinidhi Raghavan's personal charms shine most in “Thottu Thottu Pesa Varaan,” in which she flirts with Krishna “who keeps invading her personal space.” She moves her face, her shoulders, and hands, with the winning precision of a natural comic, a seductress whose every move says, “No…yes.”...The image that lingers from Voices is that of a strong woman, so relaxed and confident that performing her intricate dance is a breeze, as easy to sing as a lullaby. It seemed as if listening with anticipation was the best spiritual involvement we could bring to the occasion."

Brown Girl Magazine - "Conversation with Srinidhi Raghavan on her Bharatanatyam Show ‘Voices’"

"Descending froma line of trained classical dancers, Srinidhi Raghavan harnessed a passion for the Bharatanatyam dance form at a young age...under the instruction of two talented gurus - her mother, and aunt. With an affinity for classical art forms naturally swimming through her veins, it is no surprise that Raghavan has become a celebrated Bharatanatyam performer herself. Her Bharatanatyam show, "Voices", choreographed in partnership with her mother, Usha Raghavan, premiered in London and was received with resounding positivity."

Nytimes, Erasing Borders Festival 

"[Thillana] showed the rhythmic vivacity of Bharatanatyam. I love the way the dancers will advance head, arm and heel in the same direction, then pull them back, all as part of a larger ebullient meter."

Narthaki, New York Diary (Dr. Sunil Kothari) - Erasing Borders Festival

"In Bharatanatyam duet Tillana, Srinidhi Raghavan and Sahasra Sambamoorthi juxtaposed their movements in excellent sync evoking images of Dipalakshmis of South Indian bronzes! There were exquisite sundari griva-attami movements, perfect alignment of lines, mirror images, good understanding, covering of space and description of Bhuvaneshwai Devi towards end and they concluded the Tillana with punch. The structure of Bharatanatyam form shone through their execution in a delectable manner."

The Hindu - "Her Story - Pivotal Moments in their Lives"

"What was distinctive to this presentation was the format. It was traditional all the way, but by adding English narrations before each episodes, the duo gave it a global feel, targeting non-Indian audiences in the process. The innovative choreography by the duo and Usha Raghavan's artistic direction, which seamlessly blended nritta and nrithya, deserves special mention." 

Narthaki - "Her Story - Brilliant and Inimitable"

"As the dancers commenced the central piece, the unique elements of choreography instantly became apparent as they mixed innovative story-telling and theatric techniques with traditional dance in a phenomenally mature and novel production...In Srinidhi’s portrayal as Periyalwar; the audience was moved to tears as she depicted a distraught father who fears for his daughter’s seemingly unhealthy and blasphemous fixation on Krishna. As he realizes, however, towards the climax of the episode that his daughter had in fact not sinned, there was a palpable amazement amongst the viewers. Srinidhi’s eyes effectively conveyed Periyalwar’s amazement at the magnitude of Vishnu who was to marry his little lovable and adorable Andal!"

Confluence - "Her Story - A Captivating Performance"

Beautifully interweaving theatre with dance, the two-hour production chugged along seamlessly from the beginning invocation piece to the closing thillana, pulling the viewer through a range of dark emotions and tongue-in-cheek humour...While their technique was crisp and flawless, it was the dancers’ expressive talent — the abhinaya — and their power as a duo that brought the show its finesse. The audience — from young children to connoisseurs —certainly loved it, for I could see all around me tears during the sadder parts of the show and chuckles during the comedic solos. I saw people quietly sitting on the edge of their seats, unblinking eyes glued to the stage; I even overheard one small child telling the dancers after the show that they had given her goose bumps!"

Eastern Eye - "Her Story - A Story of Love and Vengeance"

"Burning love and vengeance gripped the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Centre for the performance of a play which is thrilling crowds across the globe. "Her Story", directed by Usha Raghavan, was put on at the famous art centre in London last weekend as part of the dance drama’s world tour. The play, consisting of two dancers, is based around the lives and epic personalities of four women in Indian mythology and literature...The shift from gripping drama to comedy was the perfect way to round off an enjoyable twohour performance, which was befitting for a grand venue like the Bhavan."

Lokvani - "Her Story - A Finely Crafted Presentation"

"The presentations showcased their excellent Abhinaya and Nritta ability.  The duet was done very tastefully with an interesting arrangement of positions on stage, creative movements and also the assignment of characters.  Lighting was used effectively to create many wonderful effects. The interesting movement to show the burning of Madurai along with the perfect lighting was a memorable moment in the show...Their commitment to the art was total...Their fine training and hard work was visible...one cannot debate the talent of these young women and the passion they have for dance." 

Rasikas.org - "Her Story" 

"The presentation was SLICK - there was no dull or sagging moment...The explanations were lucid, lively, and very appropriate for the audience. I liked it that they did not have a break, and the whole show moved along like a well oiled machine...Ms. Raghavan's abhinaya to the padam "nEtrandi nErattilE" was disconcertingly well done (disconcerting because of her age, and to see such a nuanced portrayal by girls who have grown up outside of India is rather unusual IMO). She brought out the sarcasm of the situation very well. I am sure that with age and more experience, she will be able to present this padam in a more subdued but lethal way - with 'smiles that can kill'."

The Chennai Times - "Her Story - In Perfect Sync"