Look Back to Leap Forward – 2024
By Suchitra Sairam
At Kala Vandanam, we always look back to look ahead.
There is a wonderful Sanskrit phrase “simha avalokanam.” The translation is plain, the meaning is profound. It translates to “the lion’s backward look.”
Observing lions, they take a few steps, then pause to look around. They take a moment to gauge the path taken.
Is it wise to continue? Is course correction required?
Gazing backward introspectively, assessing the path traveled, prepares the lion to leap forward.
Looking back facilitates leaping ahead, through:
🙏 Gratitude
✨ Empowerment
✅ Lessons Learned
😞 Mourning Losses
📈 Recognizing Growth
🧱 Building on a Foundation
🎉 Celebrating Accomplishments
👎🏽 Acknowledging Disappointments
🚦 Encouraging Intentional Forward Action
💡 Thoughts, Ideas and Actions to Repeat (and Avoid)
What does Kala Vandanam’s 2024 lookback look like?
Aside from our year-round Bharatanatyam, nattuvangam and konnakkol classes at the studio for nearly 60 students:
January
Elementary school residency
Featured in the Minnesota Star Tribune
Longtime Kala Vandanam dancer Arjun Acharya performed at YoungArts week in Miami
February
Salangai Pooja of Sahitya Satish
Participation in Parivaar by Shruthi Rajasekar at The Ordway
March
Salangai Pooja of Sruthika Ramu
Elementary school residency
“Dancing Deepa” book reading and dance lab at The Thinking Spot
US tour management for celebrated Odissi artist Arushi Mudgal
April
Elementary school residency
St. Paul Art Crawl – workshop
Founder Suchitra Sairam named India Association of Minnesota’s Person of the Year
May
Minnesota Dance Festival performances by company dancers and apprentices
Konnakkol masterclass (private event)
Student performances for “Swaravedika” at HSMN
Elementary school residency
June
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Mala Minerva
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Apoorva Godavarti
Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Mahati Rayadurgam
Mahati Rayadurgam featured in Sun Sailor
“Dancing Deepa” reading for St. Paul Saints Reading Tree
July
Natya Gurukulam – CANCELLED due to circumstances beyond our control (very sad for us nonetheless)
Studio recordings with our collaborator visiting from India, vocalist Jyothishmathi Sheejith
Initial composition work for our new production, Hasati
August
IndiaFest by India Association of Minnesota – featured performance by company dancers
September
Elementary school residency
Konnakkol masterclass (private event)
October
Natya Sadhana – annual student concert on Vijayadasami day
Mahati Rayadurgam featured in Plymouth Magazine
Natya Manjari competition at SV Temple – student winners in solo and group categories
November
Founder Suchitra Sairam named Universal Women’s Network’s Woman of Inspiration – Vision Builder
December
Elementary school workshop
Student performances for VT Seva annual fundraiser
Plus multiple #natyamnaatak and #trikalathursday posts shared with our community and online over the entire year. (check out our blog and YouTube channel)
We are so grateful and appreciative to our community for the support of our creative and teaching work. Our look back at 2024 gives us so much momentum and motivation for 2025 ahead.
We look forward to sharing with you in the new year.
