Rukmini began her formal training in dance at the age of eight. She had an initial exposure to ballet, but her primary training and rigorous practice through her early years was in Bharatanatyam. She had her Arangetram, (debut, solo performance) in 1998 under Guru Padmini Rao, after which she continued her practice under Guru Narmada and Guru Sundari Santhanam. Rukmini was introduced to the teachings of the Natyashastra, and pursued an intense training in the Karanas, under Guru Sundari Santhanam for many years. She was re-introduced to Classical Ballet in her late teens practicing at dance studios in California and New York, and under Yana Lewis in India. She branched out into, Jazz and Modern dance techniques and was accepted into the Undergraduate program for dance at the Boston Conservatory, USA. She graduated with honors, obtaining a BFA in Modern dance and Ballet.
She has performed in many venues in India and abroad and has been appreciated for her unique style, innovative choreography, athleticism, arresting emotions and attention to detail. Her recent performances at the 80th Anniversary of the Jacobs Pillow dance festival, USA and at the Erasing Borders Festival, NY, were well received. Her dance productions “Nayani” and “Prabhavati” toured the USA, and Middle East, in 2012, 2013 raising funds for AIM for Seva. Rukmini’s enthuse in theater and acting prompted her study of Film and Theater at the New York Film academy and at the Ivana Chubbuck studios. She has performed in several theater productions in India and has received much appreciation for her delineated character of Aung San Suu Kyi, in the one woman show, “The Lady of Burma”, by Richard Shannon, directed by national award winner, Prakash Belawadi.
Performance: For Sale – performed by Rukmini Vijayakumar and Diya Naidu.
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