The peacock realised that krishna is going to leave Vrindavan … and offers his feathers. His heart breaking, he says, “take all of them… but please don’t leave” …
An excerpt from Talattu … one of the only times I had the privilege of having live musicians performing with me in this production.
Watching this video, I realise how much changes organically from recorded to live music … it’s one of the most beautiful things about Bharatanatyam… that opportunity to improvise and create as your imagination ebbs and flows … when the artists performing with you also enter this fabric of imagination…. It’s magical.
Unfortunately I don’t always have the means to have live music and am forced to use recordings… but i cherish the times that I can…
Shows are starting again! And although everything is not as it was before… I can’t wait to experience the magic of performance many times this year ❤️
With @flutevivek @kesavanchenda @nandakumar_unnikrishnan @aranya_narain
#gudiyasambhrama #peacock #krishna #throwback #talattu #yashoda #vrindavan #bharatanatyam #indiantemple #templefestival
Ask the flowers in my garden, the window panes, the trees … my hearts desire . They all know!
Listen to this song a lot when I was growing up. Absolutely love it ❤️
Had to dance… taking a break from shooting educational videos for @theraadhakalpamethod with @vivianambrose
#bharatanatyam #abhinaya #dance #love #tamil #arrahman @arrahman #gentleman #tamilmovie #indiandance #saree
Day 18: #100daysofinnergrowth
The past few days have not been easy. And each of the tasks I’ve given myself on the 17 days of growth are hard to continue consistently. So sometimes I don’t really have another thing to do or share immediately on the next day. I’m still working on taking those 5 minutes, watching my breath sometimes, finding 20 minutes in silence while walking/ running to be with my thoughts, choosing silence over saying the wrong thing and sincerely trying to consider other’s perspectives.
Finally growth happens in the mind, but my body has to be available and comfortable for my mind to function. If my back is paining or if I don’t have enough sleep, I’m not really going to be able to direct my thoughts towards growth or be a productive part of society.
Today, I took the time to sleep in. I’m going to eat properly. Although it may seem to all of you that I eat very healthy and properly all the time…. That’s not true. When travelling, when I’m burdened with work… the last thing I consider is food.
So today, I’ll be conscious and wise with respect to everything that I eat though the day. I want to spend time doing a restorative yoga practice that doesn’t push for any goals and hope to let it rejuvenate today.
I want to respect my body for doing everything it does …and tomorrow I’m going to get back to my mind .
Photo @vivianambrose
#innergrowth #struggles #dancer
#quiet #solitude #contemplation #spiritualstruggles #spirituality
Had this song on repeat last week… and then finally danced to it. Love the melody.
“I am nothing without you….Your childlike countenance completes me…. If you are with me, I have nothing to worry about…”
Video @vivianambrose
#tamil #tamilmovie #tamilsong #love #lovesong #abhinaya #bharatanatyam #indiandance #dancer #rukmini
Krishna can’t seem to reach the butter his mother has tied up from the roof. He finally finds a way… and oh what joy! That first taste of creamy butter.
Going to be dancing at the Gudiya sambhrama festival again soon! Look our for details 😊
#krishna #butter #naughtychild #love #bhagavatam #indianclassicaldance #bharatanatyam
Day 20: #100daysofinnergrowth these introspective exercises that I’ve been trying to include in my daily life have a way of escaping us without constant reminding. I’ve been reaching for my phone in the morning the past few days, but It’s ok. I’m reminding myself again today and will continue to pursue some of these conscious actions that will enable introspection.
But where do I go from here? Once I consider, think, and become aware of my emotions and actions…. How do I navigate becoming a better human from there?
Becoming aware is the first step certainly… and taking the right action would be the next… but who is to say what is right and wrong?
Photo @sunnyjagesar
Going to consider this for the day … ❤️. #100days #findingquiet #innergrowth #silence #introspection #spirituality #uncoveringtheself
Day 21: #100daysofinnergrowth
What I’ve been trying to do recently is to consciously step out of myself to do something nice for someone else. Something that they least expect. It is certainly true that the satisfaction of doing a good thing for another person serves me well at the end… because I leave happy. But, it also means that I’m slowly learning to extend the idea of “me” beyond this one individual.
It’s sometimes something very small, like opening a gate or waiting in a traffic signal. And other times it’s become more thoughtful…. (I don’t feel like sharing what I’ve been doing) … but they are actions that have taken time, thought and effort…
And these actions have no material/ emotional benefit to me… only the satisfaction and joy of doing something with someone else’s comfort and happiness in mind.
This one is really growing on me 😊
Photo: this is one of the pictures @anupjkat and @vivianambrose took when we were on tour for the Natyanjalis in 2020… shooting for our book “Discovering Devi”
This picture isn’t in the book… but it’s beautiful nevertheless.
(Book link in my bio)
#krishna #love #beingbetter #extendoneself #community #spirituality #tryingtodobetter
Day 23: #100daysofinnergrowth
The one thing that all creatures share in this world is the need for survival. From a virus to a human we all adapt and try to survive.
The idea of ahimsa, and not hurting another is a part of so many philosophies. Including the Bhagavat Gita. We often think of this “hurt” as something physical … a philosophy that asks us not to kill another, but my Guru said that this concept of “hurt” encompasses all types of inflictions… words, actions, etc
This makes it much harder to practise. What we don’t want done to us, we don’t do to another person.
Though I’ve been trying this … emotions get the better of us so often that it makes it very hard to practise. It may seem like such a simple thing, but it means that we have to constantly consider the other persons perspective in every scenario.
Just my thought for today – to try to implement again into my daily life.
Photo : again something taking while we were taking a break from working on “Discovering Devi”
Shot by @anupjkat and @vivianambrose
#100daysofinnergrowth #love #thinkofothers #dharma #kindness #spiritualgrowth #spirituality #bhagavatgita
“Namami yoga vidye” is now on Instagram reels!
So dance your version to the music and tag me 😁
(Actual video is on my YouTube channel- link in bio )
I tried to do the same choreography that I did in the video and realised it’s so much easier dancing on a nice floor 🤣 the stone floor that I was dancing on in the temple literally tore my feet open every time I moved ….
Also realise that the choreography would have probably been very different if it wasn’t for a video…
With @vivianambrose @saishravanam @abhishekraghuram @gurubharadwaaj
#bharatanatyam #jathi #yogavidye #danceforjoy #indiandancer #lshvaspace #raadhakalpastudio #indianclassicaldance #devi
Day 16: #100daysofinnergrowth
Sometimes with our fast paced lives, we forget to look at the small things of beauty that surround us, forget to watch and observe life to pause a few minutes and see what’s around us.
I’m reminded of the poem by WH Davis…
“What is this life full of care… we have no time to stand and stare….”
This pause offers time for reflection and I’m going to steal minutes several times today, to watch traffic, listen to the sounds of life, maybe trees , sand, the shape of clouds, or just the way the books are arranged on my bookshelf.
I want to take time to stand and stare today 😊
This picture is from our book “Discovering Devi” and I danced at the doorway of the Chidambaram temple as people walked by… and many people stopped to stand and stare.
The coffee table book has a story in every photograph… captured beautifully by @anupjkat and @vivianambrose .
Link to the book is in my bio
#chidambaram #innergrowth #dancer #bharatanatyam #indiandance #dancer #ancient #tradition #ancientculture #bharatnatyam #standandstare
Happy Shivaratri to all!
Day 24: #100daysofinnergrowth
I’ve been dancing for Shivaratri in temples across Tamil Nadu for many many years now. And I’ve often wondered about the significance of staying awake through the night and fasting during the day.
I’ve discussed this idea in detail in my book “Finding Shiva” , but what I’ve come to realise is that “fasting” is not just physical. It’s a day to contemplate on our mental indulgences and try to become awake and aware of our transgressions…. I was talking about “not doing to another person, what we don’t want done to us” …
This is what I mean by transgressions. It is not about an idea of right and wrong that is imposed on us by society. But an inherent idea of right and wrong that exists within every human. A universal knowledge that’s a part of every human being…
Though we know we are hurting another we often continue with our actions… today is a day to think about those actions and consider them….
My prayers and offerings to Shiva, who permeates all!
Also, im going to be dancing tonight at 11:50 pm at vani mahal in chennai as part of @sridevi_nrithyalaya_ celebrations of Shivaratri. Come if you’d like to join us. Open and free…
Video @ramyakadambi
Music: kalakriya @preethy.mahesh
#nateshakautvam #100daysofinnergrowth #nataraja #dance #kautvam #kautuvam #bharatanatyam #tryingtobeabetterperson #spirituality #shivaratri #shiva #mahashivaratri
Day 22: #100daysofinnergrowth
I’ve been listening to/ reading the Bhagavat Gita over the last few years…. Diligently… almost everyday. It’s not something that can be understood by a literal translation… a commentary and questioning argumentative analysis is necessary to clarify points.
I can’t say that I’ve understood everything but my guru’s explanations are very comprehensive and I’m sure I’ll get there at some point.
One thing that stood out – he said , “one should try to be a source of comfort for others”
I’ve thought about this a lot and what it means to be a source of comfort… and I’ve contemplated my actions in the past where I haven’t been that source…
At every point where I have failed to be that source is when I have been dissatisfied with myself, insecure perhaps, unhappy…. Because when one is happy and content with oneself, becoming a source of comfort for others is much easier …
This is something that I’ve been trying to think about when I make choices… and I’m just reminding myself today to continue to try to do this…
Photo: @anupjkat @vivianambrose (Shot while taking a break from Discovering Devi)
#comfort #beingbetter #society #community #spiritualjourney #dancer #indianculture #bhagavatgita #tryingtobebetter #innerjourney
Ananda Natanam , the full version is now available on YouTube for viewing!
Do you dance because you saw lord Muruga? Because the Deer eyed Valli stroked you on her lap? Because goddess Parvati glanced your way? Or is it because Lord Muruga sat upon you? What is the reason for this beautiful joyous dance?
Composer : Thara Natarajan
VIDEO CREDITS
@vivianambrose
MUSIC CREDITS
Produced by: Amutham Music
Album: Varuvaan Vadivelan
Vocals: O S Arun
Violion: Kandadevi S.Vijayaraghavan
Mrudangam: Tanjore Murugabhoopathy
Ghatam: Madipakkam Murali
Morsing: Sairangam Kannan
#anandanatanam #peacock #dancing #muruga #kumaran #vadivelan #tamil #valli #devi #bharatanatyam
It’s been two years! So we have a two year anniversary discount offer for those of you who want to try the online subscription program
www.theraadhakalpamethod.com
1 year subscription 50% discount
CODE: 2YEARSRKMETHOD
1 month subscription 40% discount
CODE: 2YEARSOFRK
Discount links are in my bio.
https://linktr.ee/dancerukmini
If you commit to the whole year… you save a lot more…
New content is added every month.
A whole new series will be added to the online curriculum in the months following.
It will include adavu explorations, more repertoire, conditioning & strength that goes to the next level , flexibility and a lot more in theory!
The Raadha Kalpa method is the only comprehensive online streaming platform for Bharatanatyam. It works specifically with alignment and injury prevention for Bharatanatyam dancers.
Follow @theraadhakalpamethod for more information
Don’t miss out!
Discount codes are valid only till Feb 15th
#theraadhakalpamethod #discount #dancer #bharatanatyamonlineprogram #bharatnatyam #online #indiandance #dancer
Isn’t it enough that I suffer repeatedly in this cycle of birth and rebirth ? Haven’t you had enough of watching me like this…? Am I just a puppet to play with in your hands?
I can’t get enough of this beautiful song and the meaningful address to the goddess….
Full version on YouTube
Sung by @keerthanavaidyanathan @keeandtechno
Video @vivianambrose
Day 19: #100daysofinnergrowth
With all the time I’ve been trying to get in silence, with myself … the one thing that I’ve gained is the ability to introspect. Although this skill quickly decides to leave me when I get emotional….with sharp awareness I’ve begun to be able to pull myself away from saying/ doing/ acting in an emotional state.
I’ve started to develop an awareness that keeps me in check when I’m about to act unreasonably on emotion. Not saying it works every single time…. 🙂 but the times that I can put this into practise, it’s absolutely amazing! but I’m sure this is like dance… with practise I’ll get better at it.
The next few days I’m going to watch my emotions as they traverse this unpredictable world and try to witness like a spectator …
(PS. This is what I talk about in my book as well. 🤦♀️ easy to talk – hard to do)
#100daysofinnergrowth #selflove #introspection #thoughts #growth #dance #quiet #spirituality #findingstillness
Sri Jagadeeshwari Durga ,
Oh goddess, I welcome you into my being, into my heart. Please reside where you truly belong, says the devotee. I can’t get over how beautiful this rendering by @jayashriramnath is …
Full version on my YouTube channel.
Music and arrangement : @saishravanam
Video @vivianambrose
#srijagadeeshwari #durga #mata #mother #goddess #sanskrit #bharatanatyam #indiandance #trees
Day 17: #100daysofinnergrowth
I spent time cooking my lunch today. I usually don’t have the time to do this myself. I have help, even though I plan the meals.
But there’s something beautiful about taking the time to make a meal by myself. It’s a reminder to slow down sometimes.
I know I can’t do this all the time. But I’ll definitely try to do it more often.
#cookingameal #100daysofinnergrowth #pause #quiet #slowdown #think #reflect
Day 17: #100daysofinnergrowth
I spent time cooking my lunch today. I usually don’t have the time to do this myself. I have help, even though I plan the meals.
But there’s something beautiful about taking the time to make a meal by myself. It’s a reminder to slow down sometimes.
I know I can’t do this all the time. But I’ll definitely try to do it more often.
#cookingameal #100daysofinnergrowth #pause #quiet #slowdown #think #reflect
I can’t believe that you ignore me repeatedly? Don’t you have it in you to look my way? Doesn’t your heart give way seeing my plight ?
Full video on YouTube
“Naan oru vilayattu bommaiyya…”
Music @keerthanavaidyanathan @prashanthtechno
Video @vivianambrose
#bharatanatyam #abhinaya #tamilsong #bhakti #goddess #devi #devotion #spirituality #surrender #cycleoflife
Last day for the discount!!
It’s been two years! So we have a two year anniversary discount offer for those of you who want to try the online subscription program
www.theraadhakalpamethod.com
1 year subscription 50% discount
CODE: 2YEARSRKMETHOD
1 month subscription 40% discount
CODE: 2YEARSOFRK
Discount links are in my bio.
https://linktr.ee/dancerukmini
If you commit to the whole year… you save a lot more…
New content is added every month.
A whole new series will be added to the online curriculum in the months following.
It will include adavu explorations, more repertoire, conditioning & strength that goes to the next level , flexibility and a lot more in theory!
The Raadha Kalpa method is the only comprehensive online streaming platform for Bharatanatyam. It works specifically with alignment and injury prevention for Bharatanatyam dancers.
Follow @theraadhakalpamethod for more information
Don’t miss out!
Discount codes are valid only till Feb 15th
#theraadhakalpamethod #discount #dancer #bharatanatyamonlineprogram #bharatnatyam #online #indiandance #dancer #rukminivijayakumar #indiandance
True love ❤️
#puppy #gsd #germanshepherd #mybabydog #kong #whenhesgoodhesveryverygood #truelove
This Friday! Feb 11th
Tickets available on bookmyshow
Rangashankara, bangalore
Abducted
(An explorative Bharatanatyam choreography)
The female body is physically weaker than the male body. It is easily dominated by virtue of inherently not possessing the same amount of strength as a man. A woman’s body is projected as an object of desire repeatedly through centuries by societies. The image of a submissive, helpless woman is repeated through history, across cultures. It is an image that is used to sell commercial merchandise repeatedly.
A woman almost always feels a sense of helplessness in situations of physical confrontation with a man. Abduction is inspired by stories of abduction and retribution in India and around the world. The act of abducting someone itself reflects the incapacity to consider another. It is a desire with no boundaries. Populations have begun to come to terms with degrees of abuse that exist in many forms and shapes. The representation of a physically strong woman in the modern world, in films and comics is largely attached to the physical objectification of women. Can we represent strength and power in a female body without it also carrying sexual appeal? An archetype of a powerful woman that is feared by all is represented in the Indian Goddess, Kali. Kali is embraced as a figurative female energy that holds within herself the ability to annihilate evil and rejuvenate life. This particular image has no objectification of the female body attached to it. Kali is sensual, but does not cater to the male gaze as a sexual object. She is also not ‘pure’ in the sense of being devoid of sexual energy. At which point does the abuse of power bring out the Kali in us. At which point does a woman’s desire materialise? When does she wield her power, strength and take charge of her sexuality?
Performing with @raghuramvocals @khanjiraboy @singing.abbe
Limited space.
Get your tickets soon!
https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/platform-22-day-2/ET00322265?webview=true
#abducted #contemporarydance #bharatanatyam #indiandance #abuse #femalebody #kali #women #womenpower #takecharge #sexualabuse
Join me on March 6th at @indulge.indoors , @beruru_ in indranagar, bangalore .
I’m going to be talking a little bit about my book “Finding Shiva” to celebrate Shivaratri!
Over some tea and snacks, with those of you who would like to join!
Just show up… first come first serve.
– yes. there will be books that you can purchase
– yes. I will sign your books if you would like me to
I will also have the perfumes from @ruks_by_dancerukmini like a pop up store. So you can all try them if you’d like to.
I’m looking forward to meeting with you all and sharing this journey of dance with you….
See you soon!
No tickets / no reservations/ just show up!
#findingshiva #booksigning #shivaratri #meetme #rukminivijayakumar
