Anugraha Raman
Cambridge,MA
Summary
Anugraha Raman is a highly experienced Indian classical dancer with nearly 30 years of expertise in Bharatanatyam and 4 years in Kathak. To date, she has performed at the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego , the Greater Boston Area, as well as in virtual festivals. Anugraha successfully curated "Ananda: What brings you Joy" and co-produced "Samsara Nritya: Embracing Dualities through Indian Classical Dance." She is committed to making Bharatanatyam accessible and relatable to diverse audiences. Anugraha's expertise led to her selection as an Indian Raga fellow, where she spearheaded global collaborations to create virtual content catering to culturally diverse audiences. Currently, as the executive director of Boston Adavu, she provides a platform for Bharatanatyam dancers of all levels to practice their basics and collaborate on productions, performances, and pieces. Anugraha also shares her experiences by teaching Bharatanatyam in the Boston area, aiming to inspire the next generation of dancers.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Bharatanatyam Instructor
Burlington Academy of Creative Arts
Burlington, MA
05.2024 - Current
- Teach theory and practice of Bharatanatyam to kids (6-12) and adults
- Prepare students for annual performances
Executive Director
Boston Adavu
Boston, MA
01.2020 - Current
- Company Overview: An organization with non-profit goals that welcomes dancers of all levels to come together and practice the basics of Bharatanatyam
- A community (100+ people) that fosters self-growth by welcoming Bharatanatyam dancers of all levels to come together and practice their basics (adavus). Dancers can connect to collaborate on productions, performances, and pieces, and learn about ongoing performances and performance opportunities.
- Organized weekly meetups, created and curated performance opportunities, organized workshops with internationally renowned dancers, applied for grant funding. and managed social media
- Website in beta mode (bostonadavu.com), with password available on request.
Curator/Producer
Boston Adavu
Somerville, MA
06.2024 - 09.2024
- Produced & Curated Ananda: What brings you joy?
- This production showcased 11 dancers performing items that represented what motivated them to keep dance as part of their lives despite not being professional dancers. All participants are members of the Boston Adavu community
- Secured financial support through the POP initiative at the Arts at the Armory. This program supports opportunities critical to an artist’s trajectory. Pieces are chosen based on how well they reflect values of community, creativity, and inclusivity
Co-Producer
Samsara Nritya
Cambridge, MA
07.2023 - 03.2024
- Co-Produced margam style duet Samsara Nritya: Embracing Dualities through Indian Classical Dance ( 1.5 hrs)
- Supported through DanceComplex's (Cambridge) DIY initative
- Conceptualized theme, applied for funding, choreographed dance, directed musicians to create novel customized music, worked with lighting designers and videographers, managed marketing and communications and rehearsal logistics
Indian Raga Fellow
Indianraga
Virtual
08.2020 - 06.2022
- IndianRaga brings together the best musicians and dancers across 60 international cities to collaborate on high quality music videos viewed by millions of people globally
- Created 5 virtual productions with more than 100k views total during the pandemic, collaborating virtually with dancers (kids and adults) in India, Australia, Canada, USA (CA, TX, IN, NH) to drive ideas from concept to completion
- Conceptualized/Managed collaboration across AUS, IST, EST, PST time zones /Lead choreographer/Edited: Piya Se Naina/ Depictions of love through dance ; Swagatham Krishna
- Conceptualized/Managed virtual collaboration/Co-Choreographed/Edited: Journey of a Dancer
- Conceptualized/Managed virtual collaboration/Co- Choreographed: Aardhanareshwara
- Co-choreographed: Madhuban mein Radhika Nache Re
Co-Producer
Udhasta
Boston, MA
02.2020 - 03.2020
- Co-choreographed/Co-conceptualized: Udhasta/Rising up against with three other dancers
- 10 min piece incorporating concepts of world peace with Hindu mythology
Education
Ph.D. - Bioinformatics & Systems Biology
UCSD
San Diego, CA06-2019
Bachelor of Arts - Biomedical Engineering
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA05-2012
Formal Bharatanatyam Training
Formal Kathak Training
Yoga Teacher Training
04-2025
Skills
- Bharatanatyam Choreography
- Teaching (Yoga & Bharatanatyam)
- Video & Music Editing
- Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Project Management
- Grant Writing
Accomplishments
- 2023 Soham Second Chance Dance Festival Finalist (Virtual dance festival organized by UK based Upasana Arts for dancers 30+ who have returned to formal classical dance training after a break)
- 2020,2021 Indian Raga Dance Fellow (Created 5 virtual productions with more than 100k views total)
- 2021 Sargam UTSAV Top 10 Finalist Adult Category (National Bharatanatyam Competition)
Select Performances
- 2024 Sep Ananda: What Brings You Joy? (Somerville MA)
- 2024 June Kathak Sandhya (The Ritz Theater Escondido CA)
- 2024 April CIFA(Council of Indian Fine Arts) invited Judge & Guest Performer (Framingham MA)
- 2024 Mar Samsara Nritya: Embracing Dualities Through Indian Classical Dance (Cambridge MA)
- 2022-2024; 2009-2012 May Harvard ARTS FIRST Dance Festival
- 2023 Apr Soham Second Chance Dance Festival (Virtual)
- 2021 Naad Annual show (Bharatanatyam/Kathak Fusion; Virtual )
- 2021 DSCTV (Dover Sherborn Cable TV) Exploring Bharatanatyam: Love Stories of Krishna
- 2020 Boston Adavu Abhinaya Showcase: Emoting Through Dance (Virtual)
San Diego Venues
- 2017-2019 IFAASD (Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego) Annual Festival (Group dramas)
- 2018 Balboa Spreckels Theater Festival of Lights
- 2017 Mingei International Museum Navratri
- 2016-2017 Sewa International Fundraiser (Group dramas)
- 2015-2018 Abhinaya Arts Academy Natyanjali (CPMA Performing Arts Center)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Curator/Producer
Boston Adavu
06.2024 - 09.2024
Bharatanatyam Instructor
Burlington Academy of Creative Arts
05.2024 - Current
Co-Producer
Samsara Nritya
07.2023 - 03.2024
Indian Raga Fellow
Indianraga
08.2020 - 06.2022
Co-Producer
Udhasta
02.2020 - 03.2020
Executive Director
Boston Adavu
01.2020 - Current
Ph.D. - Bioinformatics & Systems Biology
UCSD
Bachelor of Arts - Biomedical Engineering
Harvard University
Formal Bharatanatyam Training
Formal Kathak Training
Yoga Teacher Training
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