Sivagami Vanka

Sivagami Vanka

Choreographer

Sivagami is a well-acclaimed choreographer. She is creative and believes in bringing Hindu mythology to life through her dance productions.

1993. Together with her aunt Mrs. Chandra Parthasarathy a scholar of Tamil literature she wrote, choreographed and produced “Narahasura Samharam” for the India Cultural Association Diwali Festival. Her troupe of 10 students delighted the crowd with their performance

1996. Choreographed and presented “An Evening of Padams and Thillanas” together with her troupe of 14 dancers at the Dolores Winningstad Theater in Portland.

1998. Successfully choreographed and completed the Arangetram of her 2 students. She did the natuvangam together with the live orchestra

1999. Working again with her aunt on the research and with the great musician and vocalist Jhanavi Jayaprakash, she choreographed and produced “Maayan” - the mystical one. She performed together with her troupe of 26 dancers (2 of them past students from Cleveland, Ohio) at the Aladdin Theater, Portland.

2002. Successfully choreographed and completed two arangetrams of 3 of her students. She did the natuvangam together with live orchestra on both occasions.

2003. Successfully conducted the arangetram of her two students together with a live orchestra. Received two grants from the RACC:

  1. “ Sri Balaji Kalyanam” – A dance ballet choreographed and presented on Sept.28 th 2003 at PSU, Lincoln Hall with a troupe of 34 dancers.
  2. Research on Navagrahas - with emphasis on Muthuswami Dikshitar’s work (technical assistance grant).
  3. Choreographed and performed with the Portland Taiko at the India Festival Pioneer Square.
  4. Performed at the Art Explosion-A showcase of Asian Pacific American Performing Arts.

2004. Successfully conducted the arangetram of her five students together with a live orchestra Is currently working on the project “Devi Mahatmyam” with the famous dance guru “ Kalaimamani Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran and the world famous violinist “Nadhabrahmam.” Sri. Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan.