Unsolicited Audience Reponse from the May 2007 premier of Stree Katha in Los Angeles

Unsolicited Audience Comments

I have been to countless dance performances and honestly think yours was one of the best I have seen. You dance with such grace, passion, energy, and devotion. I have never in my life been so completely immersed in dance .....while watching you dance, it was almost as though I was in a different world. I was so happy I almost cried when it was over....this has never happened to me before except when I am dancing! ....I have never seen anyone who excelled at both nritta and abhinaya in the way you did...what was so wonderful about the show (Stree Katha) was your ability to bring out each woman's strength and weaknesses, swtich back and forth between them seamlessly, choreograph simple, but solid movements, and your ability to pick the perfect scene and depict it.
  Sheela Srinivasan, Toronto, Canada October 15, 2007

Wow, what a superb performance!(Stree Katha) The range and depth of your emotion was astounding. It was breathtaking as you played the emotional strings of the audience like a well tuned violin. I don't think any of us blinked, we were so mesmerized. Your movements were crisp yet full of grace. Your poses took full advantage of your long limbs and beautifully attenuated body. When you held a pose the audience had time to drink in the beauty of the movement. I loved the whole concept of the performance and the execution was flawless. Kudos also to the musicians and Venkie . What wonderful support you have. Of course this all started with your mom but what great strides you are making as you come into your own. How very proud she must be of you. I can hardly wait to see what comes next. This was a performance not to be missed.
   Kay Talwar, Los Angeles August, 19 2007

Your performance (Stree Katha) was amazing last night! You so beautifully told the stories of these women in such metaphoric detail, I was able to follow almost every moment... Honestly the best Bharata Natyam performance I have ever seen.
   Kishan Shah, Los Angeles August, 17 2007

I didn't think it was possible to ever bring dance to such amazing levels (Stree Katha)...the energy, spark, precision and the perfect combination of everything! I saw people crying ... you sparked a debate in our house about the Ramayana. It was one of the best programs I have ever seen…you bring dance to such indescribable levels of beauty!
   Mayuri Kal, Bharata Natyam dancer, Los Angeles, Ca., May, 7 2007

Congratulations on an amazing production! (Stree Katha) ...Not only was your dancing and choreography amazing...But this was a great window for us to see the span of your abhinaya. Every moment, every detail, was so well thought out and understandable for everyone. You portrayed complex characters and emotions in a simple (in a good way) that truly shows us how Bharata Natyam is universal. Your concept was phenomenal - it really appeals to the modern audience that shows how timeless and boundary-less the themes of female power, struggle, etc. are. The explicit introductions and narrative were great. I loved the use of multiple voices, including the child's. This truly helps any audience (young, old, east or west) "get" it - as so often Bharata Natyam is not understood by a variety of audiences. The music was amazing and also right on cue. No one wasted a moment. I know you thought about every second (note, gesture, etc.) and it came across in a very seamless production. The lighting was amazing, especially in the third segment. It was like visual art, not just performance art. I didn't know that could be done! I loved your costumes... You show us how Bharata Natyam can be done - not just in form and technique but in concept, telling a story, making us think, and in a performance art production with use of multi-media to bring together an amazing idea!...you are such an example to all of us students - not only as a dancer but as an amazing and successful person who is rising because of hard work and talent.
   Neela Moorty, Bharata Natyam dancer, Thousand Oaks, Ca, Saturday, 5 May 2007

Stree Katha - What an excellent performance, what an experience!! You left us speechless, we had to digest what we had just witnessed! Amazing powerful show – people really need to be touched by the power we all women are born with! You definitely did that; you have deeply touched not only our hearts but also our souls, several of us ended up with tears in our eyes! Keep doing the wonderful work you are doing.
   Trupti Mistry, Orange, Ca, Saturday, 5 May 2007