Dr. Aparna Sindhoor

🪔 About

Dr. Aparna Sindhoor began her Bharatanatyam training at the age of five with her mother, Dr. Srivalli. She continued her training for over twenty years, including fifteen years with the legendary Dr. K. Venkatalakshamma, a Mysore palace dancer and a foremost proponent of the Mysore style of Bharatanatyam. She also trained with Dr. Lalitha Srinivasan. Her musical training commenced with her father, Prof. Balasubramanyam. Dr. Sindhoor holds a Gold Medal in Dance from Mysore University, awarded in 1990, and earned a PhD in Dance, Cultural and Women's Studies from Boston University in 2009. She also possesses a Master's in English and a Bachelor's degree in Dance, Literature, and Dramatics. Sindhoor has been performing professionally since her arangetram (graduation solo recital) in 1989. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Navarasa Dance Theater, which she co-founded in Mysore, India, in 1991 with her husband S.M. Raju and choreographer Anil Natyaveda. After moving to the United States in 1997/1998, the theater established its base in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Sindhoor is also trained in Kalarippayattu martial arts with Guru Anil Natyaveda since 2005, as well as yoga and acting. She currently lives and works in both the USA and India, teaching dance, martial arts, and yoga in locations such as Los Angeles, San Jose, and online. She is a part-time faculty member at Santa Monica College. Additionally, she co-created the "Dance-for-Everyone" program, which offers free arts education in India and the USA. Awards & Honours: Gold Medal in Dance, Mysore University (1990), NPN Creation Award (for My Dear Muddu Palani) (2013), Nominated for Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Choreography (2013), Shakti Dhama woman of the year award, RDDI (New England Foundation for the Arts's RDDI program), Arts International fellowship, Nominated for Kerala Film choreography, California Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowship (2022), Grants from Human Resource Development Agency, Government of India (for Vachanadara and A Concise Portrait of Indian Woman), AAPI Civic Engagement Fund (2020).