Today we’d like to introduce you to Hema Rajagopalan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hema. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I came to the US in 1974 along with my husband for a very temporary stay for two years as my husband was studying. But the there was a cultural void amongst the handful of Indian Community in Chicago who wanted me to teach their children Bharatanatyam, the classical dance theater of India. Thus began my journey of teaching, performing and finally establishing a company of well-developed dancers in year 1995.
As the demand for teaching grew the school grew from 7 students to more a large number of 200 each year. More than a 1000 have graduated and some have established their own schools and dance companies, some are professors of dance in universities with a Ph.D.
Natya performs all over the world to diverse audiences receiving critical acclaim. So my decision to stay in Chicago and continue to teach the dance form and share this rich cultural heritage of India was well worth my sacrifice of leaving my homeland. My teaching the youngsters in 1974 also triggered an interest in building temples for our Gods in the parents whose children studied with me. Thus now we have several temples here in greater Chicago.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It is never a smooth road! There were several challenges. Funds for presenting performances, I had to perform in diverse spaces where the fee I received would be next to nothing. But I did so to bring awareness of this art form. The art councils as well as the National Endowment for the Arts now spell out Bharatanatyam as a category to apply for funds. In those days I had to inform them as to what this dance form was.
The NEA refused to fund me several times saying I am performing a classical dance which is ancient and that I am not creating anything new. It was Anne Barzel a very important dance enthusiast in Chicago who helped me explain this art form in a way NEA could understand. They then started giving be awards and finally I was the first Indian to receive seven choreographic awards the highest anyone got.
So people did not and even today do not make an effort to appreciate world dance in Chicago. In New York and some other cities they have a better response from the media etc. But in Chicago the dance forms still alien, something they do not want to bother with. This I feel is the biggest challenge. So I really have to struggle a lot to do PR, perform in non-conventional platforms to gain awareness.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Natya Dance Theatre was established in 1975 as a 501c3 not for profit org. I am the founder Artistic Director. I have been teaching and choreographing works which I mount on my dancers. My works have received several awards in the US as well as in India. Apart from performing in the US and other countries I am recognized as a prominent teacher and choreographer in India. Amongst the prestigious awards, I have the EMMY and seven NEA awards, the Vishwakala Bharati from Bharat Kalachar in India for artistic Excellence, The Chicago Dancemakers Foundation award for choreography, and Lifetime Achievement award from Soorya Dance in St. Louis.
I specialize in Choreography, in technique and Abhinaya -the art of histrionic expressions. I am very well known for that.
What sets Natya apart is the distinct usage of space and body alignment, the expressive contents, the clarity of lines and quality of presentation.
I am very proud of the fact that both the members of my dance company as well as parents of young students have so much faith in my work and support and encourage me to move forward.
What were you like growing up?
Dance was my world, I loved classical music and philosophy.
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