Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose
Shakti - female divinity
Date(s) & Time(s): Sunday October 25, 2:15 PM
Sunday October 25, 2:40 PM
Duration: 20 minutes without intermission
Location: Parade Ground (main stage)
This artist shares a bill with Samudra Dance Creations
Ticket Information
Advanced: $15
Production Credits
Artistic Director: Mythili KumarWebsite: http://www.abhinaya.org



Abhinaya Dance Company presents Bharatanatyam, a classical dances nurtured in the temples of South India. Through intricate rhythm, and a unique language of gestures, the dance presents vivid stories from Hindu mythology. Two young dancers from our Junior dance Company will present pieces worshipping the Goddess and seeking her grace. The central piece depicts the graceful yet fierce Goddess Shakti who wields weapons as she destroys the demons representing the evil of the mortal world.
Abhinaya Dance Company HistoryAbhinaya Dance Company strives to present innovative and professional-quality performances of South Indian classical dance forms. Since 1986, Abhinaya has staged several full-length dance productions such as Shiva – The Cosmic Dancer (1986) to Jwala – The Immortal Flame (2011), Gandhi (2012), Arjuna (2014), and Vaanara Leela (2016), which received an Isadora Duncan Award for Best Performance. Abhinaya has been awarded several grants from state and city agencies and has collaborated with Kathak and modern dance companies, Japanese Taiko drummers, ShadowLight Theater, and a Balinese gamelan ensemble. From 2017 to 2019, Abhinaya explored themes of social justice through the experiences of Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King, Jr. More recently, Abhinaya’s productions have focused on women’s issues, such as Through the Eyes of the Apsaras (2021) and Draupadi – The Unsung Warrior (2024). 'California Wildfire' premiered in 2022 addressed the pressing issue of climate change. Trained under Mythili Kumar and other renowned masters from Chennai, Rasika Kumar has become a central figure at Abhinaya, contributing as a principal dancer, soloist, and choreographer.
BiographiesMalavika Walia (Director, Junior Dance Company)
The dancers performing today are members of the junior dance company that was launched as a special initiative of Abhinaya Dance Company's 40th anniversary year. They have studied Bharatanatyam under Mythili Kumar, and other teachers at Abhinaya for over eight years. This year they are undergoing training under Malavika Walia as they learn special group choreography pieces to perform along with the professional dance company. The young dancers are Aditya Romfh and Kirtana Romfh.