Dance to Inspire

My guest today is a unique combination of East and West, tradition and modernity. A Kuchipudi dancer and teacher from Hyderabad, India, she's also the founder of Kritya School of Dance. She expanded the boundaries of her artistic universe and now trains full time at the Martha Graham school in New York City. Her fiery passion, dedication and soul will surely inspire you. I'm absolutely delighted to have you join me in this conversation with Yamini Kalluri. 0:00 About our guest Yamini Kalluri 0:53 Exploring different dance forms and moving to NYC 3:55 Martha Graham technique 5:42 Learning ballet 8:50 Cross training 11:55 Dance as a career 14:34 Dance costumes 16:29 Why do you love dance? 17:09 Verse from Natyashastra 19:13 Role of a classical Indian dancer Connect with Yamini Kalluri Instagram @yaminikalluri Yaminikalluri.com https://www.youtube.com/c/YaminiKalluri98 Kritya School of Dance Instagram @krityadance Krityadance.com Dance to Inspire Podcast Podcast host Instagram @MimidiLuna Website mimidiluna.wixsite.com/website

From the rangmanch (stage) to the recording studio, she performs and interprets a wide range of roles. With successful parallel careers in both Bharata Natyam (South Indian classical dance form) and voice acting-- she is the voice behind iconic characters including Minnie Mouse, Little Krishna, and Peppa Pig. I watched her video series, “Raaz Riyaaz Ka,” where she highlights classical dancers and their approach to riyaaz (practice or sadhana). I absolutely love this series and just had to meet her! So come join me for a conversation with a truly inspiring artist, Prachi Saathi. 0:00 About our guest Prachi Saathi 0:57 “Raaz Riyaaz ka” video series 2:51 Staying inspired to do riyaaz 5:53 Voice and presentation for dancers 8:02 Overcoming fears of public speaking 10:43 Getting into character 13:50 Favorite projects in voicing industry 15:38 Exploring wide range of roles 18:06 Dance and inspiration Connect with Prachi Saathi Instagram @prachi_saathi Video Series “Raaz Riyaaz Ka”  Voicing Reel  Performance “Navarasa Mohana”  Dance to Inspire Podcast Instagram @dance.to.inspire YouTube Website

My guest today is a dedicated Kathak dancer and public policy researcher. She directed and toured a dance theater production called “Umeed: Colors of Hope” in cities around the world. In this episode, we speak about how her dance journey has brought her the 3 treasures of love, hope, and riyaaz. Riyaaz is an Urdu word, often translated as “practice.” In Indian classical dance, it’s the daily nurturing of one's art form, an ongoing journey where one discovers the gifts of dance.  It's with great joy to have this chat with the lovely and multi-talented Sunena Gupta. 0:00 About our guest Sunena Gupta 1:05 Riyaaz 5:26 Passion for both dance and social work 7:43 Choreographing on contemporary themes 9:30 Vulnerability when performing 11:19 Umeed (Hope) 18:39 Choreography process 23:42 Improvising on stage 24:32 Teaching Kathak 27:44 Advice to younger self 28:46 Most important thing learned from dance teacher 29:56 Why are you dedicated to dance? 31:39 Gratitude 33:12 Self-love Connect with Sunena Gupta Instagram @sunenagupta Website sunenagupta.com Dance to Inspire Podcast Podcast host @MimidiLuna Website mimidiluna.wixsite.com/website

My guest today is a lively and daring ballerina. We first crossed paths in New York City where we both studied ballet under the legendary Gelsey Kirkland. I was training full time as an Academy student and she was performing with the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet company. Today, she calls Paris her home and has established her performing career touring with numerous french ballet companies. She is both a student and teacher of the Boris Kniaseff floor barre method, a sequence of exercises where ballet movements have been adapted to be practiced lying on the floor. Her journey from NYC to Paris is as unique as her name, India Rose. I’m delighted to have her as the first guest on the Dance to Inspire Podcast. 0:00 About our guest India Rose 0:53 Getting coached by Gelsey Kirkland 2:52 Moving from NYC to Paris 5:10 Cross training methods 7:50 Teaching floor barre 14:19 New way of approaching ballet technique 17:54 Body image 21:39 Dance injury prevention 24:14 French aesthetic of ballet 26:39 Performing in France 29:18 Advice to aspiring dancers 31:21 Top 3 must visit places in NYC and Paris Connect with India Rose Instagram @indiamrose Website momentarylocal.com Dance to Inspire Podcast Podcast host @MimidiLuna Website mimidiluna.wixsite.com/website