Raina Peterson

🪔 About

Raina Peterson is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, writer, and theatre-maker of Fiji-Indian and English heritage, based in Australia. They are recognized as one of Australia's few professional practitioners of Mohiniyattam, a classical Indian dance form from Kerala. Peterson began performing at the age of five and commenced formal training in Mohiniyattam at twelve under the tutelage of Guru Tara Rajkumar. Their training also encompasses Kathakali (classical theatre), Kalaripayattu (martial arts), folk dance, and Bollywood styles. Peterson's work is characterized by its experimental and subversive approach, drawing on classical Indian dance traditions to explore themes of diasporic experience, cultural identity, colonialism, gender diversity, and sexuality. They are the co-director of Karma Dance Inc., a classical and contemporary Indian dance company known for its international performances and educational programs. Peterson also contributes to the teaching staff at Studio J Dance. Their collaborative full-length works with dance partner Govind Pillai include "In Plain Sanskrit" (2015), "Bent Bollywood" (2018), "Third Nature" (2019), and "Kāla" (2019). Peterson's solo works include "Narasimha: ManLion" (2022) and "Mohini" (2023), which reinterpret Hindu narratives through an experimental Indian dance lens, often engaging with queer and trans experiences. Peterson also runs 'TGD Yoga', a program of free yoga classes for the trans and gender diverse community. Awards & Honours: Melbourne Fringe Award for 'Best dance and physical theatre' (2022), Melbourne Fringe Award for 'Best dance and physical theatre' (2020), Melbourne Fringe Award for 'Innovation' in culturally diverse practice (2020), National Dance Award (shortlisted).