Natyom Dance Academy

About

'Natyom - Dances of India' is a dance school located next to the Valley Ranch Public Library in Irving, TX, USA. The school's Artistic Director/Owner, Dr. Praveena Vajja started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of five and later learnt Kuchipudi too from the same Guru, Natyacharya Avasarala Rukmaji Rao. Natyacharya Rukmaji Rao is a disciple of Padmasri Adyar Lakshman in Bharatanatyam, Kalakshetra style and Padmabhushan Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam in Kuchipudi style.

Praveena has also been undergoing training for the last three years in Kathak under Guru Smt Akhila Rao, Artistic Director of Kathak Rhythms located in Plano, Texas. Praveena ensures that the school's core curriculum is Bharatanatyam strictly in the traditional Kalakshetra style. Once the students have attained considerable experience in Bharatanatyam, as an additional art they may choose to include a different style such as Kuchipudi or Kathak. Praveena also updates herself in teaching techniques and skills by attending workshops of eminent visiting artists to the USA.

Some of the recent workshops / presentations / training she attended are: International Kathak Festival at the International House in Chicago Sep 12-14, 2014. As a participant in the festival, Praveena was able to learn from Padmavibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj and Renown Kathak exponent, Saswathi Sen during the three day afternoon workshop. In addition, she could actively interact in the morning conferences which was a platform for many Kathak exponents from all over the world to meet and discuss topics. Seeing amazing shows by several exponents in the evening was altogether a great experience.