(December 20, 2023) Odissi exponent Vrinda Chadha was only a teenager when she began traveling the world for her performances. Vrinda, who was introduced to the ancient dance form at the age of 13, began accompanying her Guru, Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar, as she performed across India and around the world. Vrinda has been part of her guru’s ensemble and a solo dancer in her own right, gracing stages in Spain, Argentina, Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Madagascar, and Seychelles. With a vast repertoire of work, the former member of the International Dance Council UNESCO in Paris and a Teach for India fellow, Vrinda has earned numerous awards.
Vrinda Chadha
In 2020, during the pandemic, Vrinda launched ‘Imagine,’ a video project aiming to uplift the prevailing sombre mood by blending music and dance across genres. “The video, initially created just for social media platforms, gained instant popularity. Later, to our delight it was selected to be featured at Chicago’s In/Motion International Dance and Film Festival in 2022,” Vrinda tells Global Indian. “Curated by DanzLenz – Kri Foundation‘s dance and camera vertical, the festival was dedicated to South Asian dance films made by dancers and dance filmmakers of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and their diaspora from across the world.”
‘Imagine’ with a vision
As artists took to online platforms to stay connected to their craft during the lockdowns in 2020, Vrinda’s project ‘Imagine’, was aimed at bringing cheer during times of uncertainty. “What started off just on a whim became a virtual performance by 13 ace vocalists, on whose songs I performed on my own choreography,” she tells. The team of musicians sang an a Capella cover of John Lennon’s iconic anthem, Imagine, to which Vrinda created a beautiful fusion choreography with Odissi movements and expressions to it. “All the contributing artists worked from home. Our aim was to just bring people together and spread a message of peace, hope and love,” she says.
As Vrinda and her collaborators revelled in the success of their heartfelt creation, they were pleasantly amazed when it was chosen to be showcased at the Chicago’s In/Motion International Dance and Film Festival. This global event aims to foster collaboration among artists advocating for social equality and serves as a platform for discussions on sustainable artistry.
The festival was organised by Amy Wilkinson, a leading expert in innovation and entrepreneurship, along with Aaron Greer, a film and media arts professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sarah Cullen Fuller from Loyola University Chicago’s Dance Program, and the dancer/choreographer Sarah Fluegel.
Vrinda’s artistic path
“I have always loved dancing. It allows me to express myself more than words can,” Vrinda shares. Her parents had noticed this passion in their daughter when she was a school student studying at Modern School in New Delhi, and took her to Guru Gauhar who lived in their neighbourhood. Recognising Vrinda’s talent, she agreed to be Vrinda’s teacher and has been guiding her disciple’s dance journey ever since, both in India and abroad.
Vrinda Chadha
“Guruji noticed my potential, nurtured my natural interest in dance, and provided the guidance it required. Finding the right mentor is key for anyone pursuing an art form. I feel fortunate to have been trained under her,” Vrinda says, highlighting that her family had no prior professional ties to the art world before she started learning Odissi.
When Vrinda embarked on her dance journey, she had limited knowledge about the different dance forms. Yet, it seemed as if Odissi was destined to become an integral part of her identity. “I didn’t even realise how deeply it intertwined with my personality,” remarks the dancer, who alongside her training in Hindustani classical music and yoga, acknowledges their substantial role in enriching her dance performances.
“Now, after so many years of my association with Odissi, it’s challenging to distinguish between myself and my dance,” tells Vrinda who has been the recipient of the Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award in Mumbai, the Young Talent Award by the International Academy of Mohiniyattam in Delhi, the prestigious title of Odissi Ratna in Bhubaneswar, and the Kameshwari Award in Guwahati.
Giving back
Apart from performing and serving as a faculty member at ‘Utsav‘, her Guru’s, dance academy, Vrinda teaches across government schools in Delhi.
Vrinda Chadha with her guru Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar
“Performing artists and their audience are privileged to have access to art but art seldom reaches the underprivileged, “she remarks, adding “With this in mind, I took up the Teach for India fellowship to introduce dance and music to the lesser privileged. The idea is not to make these kids experts in Odissi, rather enhance their self-expression and emotional literacy through the medium. Through my art I hope to continually spread love, peace, and consciousness.”
Dance and beyond
“Dance isn’t solely about performing; there are other dimensions to it,” explains Vrinda, who deeply soaks herself into research and study of Odissi when she is not performing or teaching. “My future plans include taking the legacy of my Guru’s teachings forward and spreading this art further to the best of my capacity, she tells.”
Apart from her passion for dance, Vrinda cherishes exploring nature, frequently embarking on solo journeys to scenic destinations like Himachal for hiking and climbing.
Vrinda Chadha
“As an Odissi dancer I have always valued the ability to express and connect with one’s innermost being through the medium of art. The liberation and joy of surrender in such an experience is unparalleled. It helps me to not just my audience but my own soul. My art empowers and frees me both on and off stage. It is my identity,” she signs off.
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