Vidya Kotamraju transforms choreography for digital realm at Vancouver International Dance Festival

The local bharata natyam dancer reflects on the new reality of livestream, embraces new forms of storytelling

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Vidya Kotamraju. Photo by Ron Sangha. Design by Kasina Sree Vardham

As bharata natyam dancer Vidya Kotamraju prepares to launch Longing…, her new two-part performance at the 2021 Vancouver International Dance Festival, she is not only transforming her choreography for a digital version; she is also embracing fresh ways to share stories.

“it liberates the audience from a single point of view,” Kotamraju says, noting the form adds new potential for storytelling. Yet, as with all power, there is a responsibility inherent in the process that she is quick to point out: “the camera is the sole eye of the audience, so it needs to move in a way that will connect them emotionally”.

Livestreamed performances keep dancers closer to the experience of a staged work but add the pressure of synchronizing both bodies and cameras in real-time. While Kotamraju acknowledges the stakes of “no retakes”, she expresses her openness to new ways of dancing and creating art. As a result of the pandemic, artists are becoming more flexible in how they see and express art, and she is no exception. 

With regard to how her practice has changed over the past year, Kotamraju shares: “The pandemic has given me a moment to pause and reflect, [and] I’m choosing very deliberately to make the artistic journey more meaningful and joyous.”.

In addition to exploring the dramaturgy of the camera through her VIDF residency at KW Studios, she has been studying Nattuvangam, the Indian art of cymbals, from a teacher in India—a teacher who likely would not have moved online if not for the current situation.

Kotamraju seems to be bridging multiple worlds these days: learning from international teachers while practicing locally, honouring traditional forms while innovating in modern ones, and marrying two different choreographies, inspired by poetry from 12th and 20th century Indian poetry into one performance.

She describes Longing… as communicating both oneness and diversity by expressing timeless stories of the human condition that are “both yours and mine”. In keeping with the theme of the work, her practice gracefully weaves diverse art forms, eras and experiences into one.

Watch Vidya Kotamraju in Longing…, livestreaming May 6 to 8 as part of the 2021 VIDF.

Tickets are free/by-donation with advanced registration: https://www.vidf.ca/vidyakotamraju,