Artist Rukmini Vijaykumar initially trained under Guru Padmini Rao and Yuva Bharati later continued under Guru Narmada, (a recipient of the Sangeet Presents Natak Academy Award) and Guru Sundari Santhanam (a senior Bharatnatyam Recital disciple Dr Padma Subrahmanyam). She was introduced to the teachings of the Natyashastra, and pursued an intense training in By the Karanas under Sundari Santhanam. She furthered her Rukmini Vijaykumar knowledge of Bharatanatyam by studying Sanskrit, Tala (rhythm) July 27, 2014, 4:00 pm in music and Yoga. Cubberly Theater, Palo Alto www.yuvabharati.org Rukmini graduated with honors, obtaining a BFA in Jazz, Modern dance and Ballet from prestigious Boston Conservatory. Rukmini Swaraguchha founded the Raadha Kalpa Dance Company in 2009 in Bangalore. Ragam: Raagamalika Taalm: Talamalika She has conducted workshops, collaborated with guest artists, Composer: D Srivatsa Choreographer: Rukmini Vijaykumar choreographed productions under this banner. This is a lively invocatory piece that pays obeisance to the audience, the teacher and the Gods. It invokes the blessings of Rukmini is an empaneled solo Bharatanatyam artist of ICCR. She lord Ganesha, and goddess Saraswati. was awarded the title of "Arsha Kala Bhushanam", by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 2012. She has performed extensively and Varnam – Swami naan unthan adimai has been appreciated for her unique style, innovative Ragam : Nattakurinji Talam: Aadi choreography, athleticism, arresting emotions and attention to Composer: Papanasam sivan detail. Her dance productions "Nayani" and "Prabhavati" toured Choreographer: Rukmini Vijaykumar the USA, and Middle East. The dancer looks at this piece from the eyes of Parvati. Parvati yearns for Shiva who is in a meditative oblivion after his loss of Rukmini's enthuse in theater and acting prompted her study of Sati. She prays and does penance to win his love. She awaits for Film and Theater at the New York Film academy. She played lead a chance to see him dance and when she does she is lost in a role in her first Tamil film, Bommalattam by Bharati Raja. She was trance of imagining him dancing with her, and longs to be with well recognized for her performance in Ananda Tandavam, by him. Gandhi Krishna and has recently acted in Kochaidaiyaan, with actor Rajinikanth. She has endorsed several products as a model Jagadodharana by Sudha Raghunathan in many print and TV commercials in India and other Asian Ragam: Kapi Talam: Aadi countries while she continues to work in the Film and TV industry Composer: Purandara Dasa in India. Choreographer: Rukmini Vijaykumar This is a kannada devarnama that describes little Krishna and Though Rukmini's interests and training are varied, her true his relationship to Yashoda. Here, Purandaradasa is amazed at passion is in dance. how, the lord is born to Yashoda, and how fortunate she is to have the lord of the universe at her beck and call. smiling to himself and sitting quietly meditating. She also accuses him of going away early in the morning and returning late at night. Shiva says that a smile involuntarily appears on his face Intermission when meditating and that he has many Ganas (devotees) to take care of, hence he is late. Finally, Parvati brings out the real reason Om Hreem she is angry and says that goddess Ganga is always close to him Ragam: Raga Malika Talam: Talamalika and that is why he does not need her anymore. Choreographer: Rukmini Vijayakumar Is a Devi stuti from the album "Pradarshana". It exalts the various Thillana forms of the devi and praises her beauty and the dancer seeks Ragam: Palani Talam: Aadi refuge in her. Composition: Muralidharan Choreographer: Rukmini Vijayakumar The Tillana is a rhythmic and melodious piece that has a Tani avartanam combination of Nritta (dance) sequences. The verse at the end Talam : Talamalika of the thillana is dedicated to lord Hanuman and describes his Composer: G Gurumurthy devotion to lord Rama. Choreographer: Rukmini Vijaykumar This is a rhythmic piece in praise of the Ardhanarishwara. It Krishna Mangalam explores various rhythmic cycles. Lyrics: Rukmini Sanskrit lyrics: Dr Shankar Apsara Ragam: Raagamalika Taalm: Aadi Lyrics: Rukmini Composer: Tirumale Srinivas Sanskrit Lyrics : Dr Shankar Choreographer: Rukmini Vijaykumar Composer: D Srivatsa Radha sings this song to Krishna explaining how she feels Talam : Aadi when he is leaving her. She is torn between the physical Choreographer: Rukmini Vijaykumar seperation and spiritual union with him. She says in reality he can never leave her as He is the Paramatma and she is a part of Apasara, is a piece that comically describes the small fights that him always. Shiva and Parvati have as a married couple. Parvati tells Shiva to The name “Krishna, Krishna!” on my lips makes me tremble go away and that she feels he doesn’t love her anymore. Shiva with delight. He has ruined my sleep. During the day I walk in a pleads with her to tell him the real reason that she is upset. dream. His dark blue skin is a reflection of the bruises he has Parvati then asks her why he has not brought her any flowers and bestowed on me. I have become his slave, chained with nothing says that he doesn’t invite her to dance with him anymore. Shiva binding me. Yet I am now freer than I will ever be. In explains that Nandi, the bull he rides on is ill and he couldn’t go surrender, I am liberated. Krishna physically leaves Gokula to into the forest. He also says that she can come to dance with him become a king, but he will always be with me. The cowherd anytime she wishes because she is his wife after all. Parvati then boy, with the bewitching smile, He is forever mine. I am asks why he never speaks to her anymore. That he is always liberated, in surrender.... .