Riya Devi-Ashby

🪔 About

Riya Devi-Ashby is an American Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, and teacher, representing the third generation of classically trained Kuchipudi dancers in her family. Born in 2001 in Silver Spring, Maryland, she received classical training in Kuchipudi from her guru, Nilimma Devi. Nilimma Devi, in turn, trained under celebrated gurus Sri Nataraj Ramakrishna, Sri Prahlad Vedantam Sarma, and Jagganath Vedantam Sarma. Devi-Ashby completed her 'rangapravesh' (debut performance) in 2019 from the Sutradhar Institute of Dance and Related Arts, marking her commitment to Indian Classical Dance. As a lead dancer and choreographer at the Sutradhar Dance Company, Devi-Ashby focuses on advancing the dramatic potential of Kuchipudi through progressive messages. She also teaches and choreographs at the Sutradhar Institute of Dance and Related Arts, an institution founded by her grandmother, Nilimma Devi, in 1988 (originally known as Devi Dance Theater). Devi-Ashby has an extensive performance career, having appeared at prestigious venues both in the United States and internationally. Her performances include the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Anapale International Dance Festival in Athens, Dance Place DC, the National Museum of Asian Art, the Indian Embassy, and the Dora Stratou in Athens. Her work encompasses traditional Kuchipudi pieces and new choreographies, often exploring themes of gender, violence, and queer femininity. She also integrates elements of Thang-ta martial arts into her contemporary repertoire, studying under master Khilton Nongmaithen, and is involved in documenting the affinity between these traditions. In addition to her dance career, Riya Devi-Ashby is an interdisciplinary artist, working across painting, installation, performance, and sculpture. She earned her BA in Studio Art from Wesleyan University in 2023 and has presented solo exhibitions, including 'Veni: an Unweaving' at Zilkha Gallery. She resides and works in the Washington D.C. area.