Natyamandala is an Indian classical dance awareness group that promotes traditional Indian dance forms through performance, shows, workshop and other events.
Classical Indian dances, which take their scaffolding from the Natya Shastra, feature intricate footwork, complex rhythms, and depictions of mythological stories and emotions that can transport the dancer and the viewer to temples and spiritual places far beyond their surroundings. Some classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam were traditionally performed in temples to invoke the gods, other forms such as Kuchipudi were performed as dance dramas and ballets. Pieces range range from purely abstract and rhythmic, to devotional to dramatic to modern, with depictions of the divine in various forms.
Natyamandala is based in New Haven, CT and performs regularly at Harkness Hall and the Yale School of Medicine. See our events page for upcoming shows and workshops.