Arjun R

🪔 About

Arjun Raina is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, recognized for his extensive contributions to Kathakali as a performer, academic, and teacher. Hailing from Kashmir, Raina dedicated 25 to 30 years to intensive Kathakali practice in India under the tutelage of Guru Abu Rajendran Pillai. His career as a performer saw him present Kathakali, often incorporating elements of Shakespeare, on various international platforms. Prior to his migration to Australia in 2010, he also held a teaching position at the National School of Drama in India, where he instructed in contemporary acting. In Australia, Raina has continued to promote Kathakali through his academic endeavors and teaching. He is the author of "The Teaching of Kathakali in Australia," a book that meticulously documents his approach to teaching this 17th-century Indian dance-drama to contemporary artists in Melbourne. His research for the book involved rigorous one-on-one training sessions, sometimes lasting four hours daily, with senior performers based in Melbourne. Raina's work emphasizes the practical application of the theory of rasa, as outlined in the ancient Sanskrit treatise, The Natyashastra, within the pedagogical framework of Kathakali.