Kripa Baskaran: Indian

Kripa is an accomplished dancer and choreographer who has traveled worldwide to perform the most revered South Indian classical dance, Bharatnatyam. She is a gifted artist from the younger generation of Bharatnatyam dancers who began her journey at the age of seven and did her arangetram (dance debut) at 14 with instruction from gurus Smt. Chandrakala and Thanjai Sri. Hemnath. She then pursued the art form in depth with the guidance of guru Dr. Ambika Kameshwar. Kripa also had intensive training in Nattuvangam--art of conducting a dance recital--under Dr.Ambika Kameshwar and additional training in Kala Peetham under Smt. Pavithra Srinivasan. Under the tutelage of Dr. Ambika Kameshwar, Kripa matured into a talented Bharatnatyam dancer. She has also done Nattuvangam for renowned dancers like Dr. Ambika Kameshwar and Smt. Vijayantimala Bali. As a trained classical singer, Kripa also provides vocal support for the dance concerts. Kripa expanded the outreach of Bharatnatyam through an innovative collaboration with another Indian dance form, "Kathak." Kripa's most notable dance production was a "Jugalbandi," a dance fusion between Kathak and Bharatnatyam which was staged in Nottingham Play house, United Kingdom in November 1995. The dance fusion was performed by Nottingham's eminent Kathak dancer, Vina Ladwa, and Kripa Baskaran in Bharatnatyam style, which dazzled the Nottingham audience. Currently, Kripa is the Director of Natyarpana School of Dance where she offers weekly dance lessons in Bharatnatyam, and she is an instructor in the Department of Dance for the Continuing Education Division at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Kripa strives to spread the Indian culture and traditional values through her dance school where she offers free dance lessons for aspiring underprivileged students. Kripa and the Natyarpana dancers constantly perform for fund raisers and noble causes. Kripa has been teaching this art form for over a decade now and has been applauded by both public and press for her excellence in perfection and dedication towards the art form. Kripa joined Call for Peace Drum & Dance Company in 2004.

 

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