Sandhya Raju / Modern Kuchipudi / Performance Poetry / Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman

This piece is dedicated to my Mother Nirmala Raja on her birthday Feb 2nd for being a phenomenal woman !
Creative Director and Kuchipudi Danseuse Sandhya Raju attempts to use the language of Kuchipudi Dance , (an ancient South Indian Classical dance style) to express the voices and thoughts relevant to modern world.
American civil right's activist and poet Maya Angelou's 'Phenomenal Woman' was the poem of choice for this beautiful experimental piece of art.
This production gives the audience a time travellers warp like experience. Imagine Taking ancient Indian dance language created in the first Century and using that to express powerful english words written by an American Civil rights activist of the 20th century !
Sandhya feels the true power and potential of the ancient form of Kuchipudi is unleashed when it is welcomed as a relevant medium to express modern even futuristic thoughts prose and poetry. breaking barriers of Language.
After all to Dance is to tell a story ! To Dance is to stir revolution ! To Dance is to create change ! to Dance is to be understood !
Sandhya worked extensively with dear friends Manognya Balraj and Aayana Dance Company to come up with a unique choreography to justify her vision. She was ably aided by dear friend and Art Director Manisha Satvolu to subtly enhance Taramati Baradari. An ancient Hyderabadi Monument where Hindu queens used to dance Kuchipudi for the Muslim rulers in the 16th century.
Sandhya's screenplay and frames was also supported by talented and wonderful Director of photography Vamsi Patchipulusu. The talented genius Anil Srinivasan has provided gentle and mood enhancing music.
All the dancers in the video - Creative Director Sandhya Raju Choreographer Manognya Balraj , beautiful peacock Pallavi Manjunath, Adorable gentle Vishal, boisterous handsome Manish, Ravishing tigress Raksha, Sincere Gangadhar, sweet Lakshmi and classy Venella are extraordinary human beings and brilliant artists in their own right. It is only love,respect and positivity that brought all these artists together to create this little unique gem of a piece.
this piece was shot across Taramathi in a single call sheet from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM thanks to everyones teamwork and extensive preplanning.
Do let us know your thoughts, reactions, emotions evoked when watching this unique Kuchipudi Performance in the comments section below.
don't forget to like, comment, subscribe and SHARE

[@ramadevi-db4ou]

It's prove dance is a language to communicate others in this language our ancestors tryed through Sculptures on our temples not only in India all over world now like Sandya Raju . Very good etempt your dedication and admiration on Dance I am good fan of you my child love you

[@LakshmiCh-cs7xm]

Qqq

[@sn1280]

East meets West. Absolutely amazing 👏

[@ushaailuravishankar6087]

Awesomeness. Brilliant performance. Simply superb

[@PrasadPrasad-ih8pf]

So nice and superb performance just loved it💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sriprakhyapochiraju9498]

It's so beautiful to see indian classical dancers using Maya Angelou's poetry....it's very worth it...this piece was absolutely stunning...everything was PHENOMENAL! Hats off to Sandhya Raju garu and Aayana Dance company!

[@PvpStem]

Excellent! Well conceived and executed. Dance choreography is so apt and presentation is supremely elegant!

[@smitinbhosale7987]

This is beyond imagination & can't be expressed in words how beautiful it felt to watch ❤️

[@priyankau5629]

This is the best storytelling that Kuchipudi is all about. We would love to watch and spread( to tell world what the kuchipudi dance is) more of this kind of performances 🙏

[@revanthkumar4241]

Speechless. Feel so emotional and touched. This is what we want at this moment. Adapting tradition to modern life, to continue and take forward Kuchipudi. I used to dance kuchipudi and it is love of my life. I used to feel sad about the art being on the hospital bed. But after watching this video, I feel happy and optimistic that there is still a chance. Great going Sandya Garu. Appreciate your efforts.

[@vasavikosuru1919]

The very thought of dancing to Maya Angelou is amazing and executing it with grace that only a phenomenal women can carry 🥰💕

[@dalitex-c4885]

Wow .... simply superb!!! Bharat art form is phenomenal and a great bow 🙇‍♂️ to all our Shaktis i.e. phenomenal women!!

[@pallaviraikar9850]

Oh my god I have no words.Awestruck.Bowled over! Uff!

[@skab911]

Ur are always phenomenal sandhya garuuuu big appluse for ur nritya natya

[@keerthi7187]

Very nice concept with beautiful dance 👌👌❤️

[@ranajitpatra8602]

Beautiful dance presentation Just 😳 wow Its a master piece ❤️

[@JOURNEY_Rash]

Wow phenomenol Women in me and you ❤️ beautiful poetry performed in Kuchipudi dance with a twist of contemporary.

[@sudhavikas9979]

SUPERB PERFORMANCERS N LOCATION 👏👏👍👍

[@jayalalithabalasubramaniam3000]

Powerful Concept. Exceptional Performance. Outstanding Video In All Aspects. Delightful Watching. You Are A Goddess To Our RJPM.🙏 Thank You & Congratulations 🙏

[@nagarajababu9504]

Novel ideas. Creative choreography. Mesmerizing dance.

[@bathrinarayanan7770]

உங்களின் வரிகள் அனைத்தும் செதுக்கிய சிற்பியின் நுணுக்கங்களின் வெளிபாடு. நடனம் அச்சிவனே பாராட்டும் பண்பின் அறம். அருமையான பகிர்வு. வாழ்த்துக்கள் சகோ

[@ruchadharangaonkar1586]

Phenomenal idea and performance... 👏👏👏... Hats off 🙏🙏😇😇

[@sambojinaveenvishwarushina8025]

Extraordinary performance madam...art work... cinematography... choreography...exlent 👏👏👌👌

[@rahulranveer]

😍great applause...touched soul👏👏👏👏what a presentation.

[@swethaala466]

Beautifully portrayed about woman..celebrate the phenomenal women😍👌♥️💃

[@rajyalakshmialluri5297]

U did very good job Mam 👌👌👌👏👏👏💐💐💐

[@theresabartholomew8498]

So Lovely Dance and very beautiful!!

[@vijaypushpam2308]

Ultimate presentation , love the poem ,very close to my heart ,and a tribute to womanhood .Thanx for choosing this for your performance 💐💐💐💓❤️

[@ENGLISHWITHASEE]

Vowwwwwwww......superb ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😭

[@harikauppada9300]

Mam I saw your natyam film that is great , I loved the film I can not forgot that film please keep more dance videos mam

[@reejadeepa9566]

I was WONDERSTRUCK to watch thosbpoem inter this form. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@radhajagannathan1530]

Sandhya madam & crew...performance excellent & unique....loved the way movements & expressions unfold on screen ..👌🌺

[@seshagiri]

Excellent madam, Smt. Sandhya Raju garu, You came with this beautiful video when many people like me are worried about downfall of Indian women and Hindu culture especially after popularity of "OO antava" song. You are really incredible and phenomenal. Your Natyam movie first song, daily I will watch in KZbin with tears in my eyes (since this what our ancient Rishis envisaged when they created Natya Sastram as prayer to God. Thank you madam for giving us our life-time good memories. These memories we cherish till we die.

[@supriyapriya94]

Beautiful movie .... beautiful Sandhya.... beautiful dance...... amazing feeling

[@anjanasajith3039]

Amazing performance Truly poetry in motion. ❤

[@manimozhir8190]

Wow. Wonderful dance and theme

[@SriDevi-pj9ye]

Amazing to watch my favourite poem in a grand Indian cultural setting… Thank you for the beautiful work

[@perceptions-wq5ro]

Well done. Appreciate. Never b4 on talk/speech. New Dimension of Tradition. Well done. I say. Abhaav is part of the NatyaShastra. Best Mumbai

[@harikauppada9300]

Congratulations mam for two national awards for the great film natyam .As I said natyam is great film but every know it now I am so happy for it mam once again congratulations mam

[@akankshacutiesilkymade5400]

Soo beautiful wt a new new concept..... It's so lovely

[@harikauppada9300]

This is marvellous, please keep some more videos

[@umeshchityala799]

It's marvellous. No words to explain.

[@sirishasiri1353]

Excellent moral speech with ur art sandhya raju garu

[@bhavananair8803]

This is so beautiful. Loved everything about this dance presentation. Right from the choice of poetry to costume to choreography to the Voice Over. Everything! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️

[@tharsinymarkandu1576]

Amazing 👏 Beautiful performance! Words are so touching with great depth 🌺

[@Sreelekshmijayasree]

Sandhya Pallavi raksha Mano Manish Vishal love you loadsss.. such a beautiful graceful dramatic modest presentation♥️

[@mabelpriscila7282]

Que hermoso!! 😍😍😍 han hecho un trabajo excelente 👏👏👏

[@fausten3]

Awesome piece of reality. Sandhya Raju.............owning it, like a Boss.

[@manjukulapuram6089]

I happened to see it only today, on WOMEN'S DAY! I feel so proud of you Sandhya for your wonderful performance! Very Powerful! You are wonderful phenomenal woman!

[@pushpakanyalsawant4051]

Great, Inspiring poetry and presentation. Amazing lyric and performance. Proud to be a Woman

[@sudhachinta8781]

You just proved that art can transcend boundaries of forms (dance and poetry), of the hearts it can touch and the souls it can inspire! Such a phenomenal presentation of a phenomenal poem!

[@Vijay-fo8qb]

This is an amazing composition and performance. exceptionally well done by all. great work mam.

[@AsmithaSP]

Mesmerising and phenomenal creation 👏👌👍💐🙏😍

[@jilkariveerender6241]

Soooooo..... Great 👏👏👏👏 And thank you for this wonderful video.... thank you Sandhya Madam

[@Mikojan23]

Beautiful, awesome performance! ❤❤❤🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍 Yes, Sandhya Akka - You are phenomenal ❤❤❤

[@geetavanimantena6034]

Beautiful performance Proud of you

[@kateirani4568]

Such a graceful yet powerful dance! Beautiful

[@swethamaddela8554]

What a message......its wonderfull Madam👏👏👏👏👏Big applause and Congratulations to the whole team💐💐💐💐

[@MsShane74]

How much of grace and beauty and elegance is expressed through the art of classical dancing marvelous performance by Sandhya Raju

[@siddarthkandula448]

Phenomenal art, phenomenal Woman, phenomenal video... I'm gonna share this phenomenally ❤️Kuchipudi... My favourite dance form... You r phenomenal mam🌹

[@jennifernickelson5002]

Loved every aspect of this presentation very powerful and Maya Angelou would find her words captured ❤ vividly, awesomeness 👌 👏

[@dharmigandhi3827]

World needed this, Version.. Great.

[@athirams1303]

Its beautiful....🤗

[@sheilaabraham7701]

Absolutely loved this!! Gorgeous girl and amazing dancer! And such a lovely concept!

[@ankleshreddyofficial2542]

Wowwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........I want to become a famous dancer like u Andi.... Literally am speachless.....💕❤️😍😘👑

[@priyasisters3286]

Your dance will make difference in life's of people who love dance. You're a true inspiration to all the dancers out there. "Phenomenal women" is truly a vibe changing idea. Best wishes akka🙏

[@nlyr20]

Great composition and performance. Equally good poetry.

[@shanak9412]

Just amazing👍👍

[@ashwanirajput8839]

She's amazing 😍 and beautiful ❤️ big fan of her 😊❤ love her alot ❤️

[@drkarthiknasari5538]

Sandya madam It's wonderful 😊😊😊😊🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 In my opinion women means compassion😊🙏

[@achyutakrishna]

Very positive message. You will be the inspiration for millions. God bless you Sandhya garu.

[@kavitaverma5486]

Love love love love love love ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤soooooooooooooo beautiful 👌

[@anuradhairlewad4275]

Wonderful beautiful and expressive movements❤

[@AR-di4ey]

Wow amazing just no words to express ur dance is really beautiful

[@hemanthkumarreddyvari8820]

It's really phenomenal performance with modern Kuchipudi ease 👏👏👏

[@yeruvavaralakshmi5201]

Iam very big fan of u and classical dance mam

[@musicsankargovind8707]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful Also they all are wearing Sabyasachi Looks sooo beautiful It adds all the beauty ❤️

[@akshithabathula3303]

Goosebumps raised on my arms as well as among my thoughts, iam proud 2 be girl . I felt very inspiring, u always inspire me Sandhya Raju mam ❤️❤️❤️. This clip is really beautiful 🤩

[@krismaly6300]

Awesome Talrnted I respect your art and talent 🙏❤🙏

[@venugopal2227]

awesome......a wonderful performance....

[@sivagangasyam7680]

Beautiful👏👏👏 loved it!!! speechless

[@rohank342]

Amazing concept displayed very well! Grateful for ur work🙏🏻🙇🏻😇

[@harmonioussoul8197]

Wow...such a phenomenal video n concept....just loved it ❤️

[@sarvaniguturi]

Excellent poetry with Excellent presentation... hats off👏👏👏

[@anishamelbin9354]

Awesome presentation....... Hats off.......

[@ChaithanyaJGirija]

Many more happy returns of the day to the phenomenal lady Mrs Nirmala Raja!!!

[@anuradhasrinivasan6878]

It’s phenomenal... very hard hitting congratulations to you and your team

[@supriyapriya94]

Huge respect fr u r presentation loved the way she does I watched natyam fr three times

[@SV-zy7ft]

This is simply beautiful! So powerful. The poem, the dance, they strengthen each other.

[@Ismartarunatelugufitnessvloger]

How beautiful it is andi.. U r a real phynominal women... Love u♥️

[@salomisnehalatha2077]

It's so pleasant to watch. Simple and yet graceful!!

[@bairavi07]

This is so beautiful. Loved it a lot. Wonderful choreography to a beautiful poem by Maya Angelou

[@ideaconsultants4382]

What an Amazing work!!May you be the eternal lamp that lights all our paths..Thanks Sandhya..

[@MrHridev]

Time change everything.... good to see you all .... great work. 💐👏👏👏

[@varalakshmibadri5014]

Brilliant presentation,loved every aspect..

[@josemathew7886]

beuatiful...good presentation.....anyone arrange background score so that we can arrange our childern for the performance

[@rajilaxmichalamala3042]

❤no words it's awesome ❤

[@dhaamdhoom2194]

Hi I'm from Chennai, just now I watched Natyam movie its so meaningful & beautiful movie each and every minute has huge expression. Too good amazing

[@rajinireddy4319]

It is a superb concept performed by Sandhya Raja exceptionally well. What grace and poise… awesome 👏

[@bittuboy2645]

Amazing Awesome Naku chala chala baga nachindi

[@umangdholabhai]

Words fail me O phenomenal women..what grace, what a beautiful idea. Goosebumps! Thank you for such a lovely production.