Nidhi’s 11 years journey in Bharatanatyam culminated in an intense 4 months preparation for her Rangapravesha, where she discovered the art form’s rich history and her own resilience. As she mastered the ability to perform for 3 hours straight, Nidhi’s curiosity about Bharatanatyam’s cultural significance grew. This led her to research and write a policy paper exploring the dance’s history, it’s recent decline, and strategies for its revival. Through her dancing and academic work, Nidhi became not just a performer, but a passionate advocate for preserving and promoting this ancient art form.
From a six year old novice to a Rangapravesha certified dancer, Nidhi’s 11 years Bharatanatyam journey culminated in authoring a policy paper – Link “A Strategy for Revival and Promotion of Classical Dance Forms in 21st century India” on reviving the art form. Her path exemplifies the evolution from dedicated performer to passionate scholar advocate of cultural heritage.
Bharatanatyam has always been a deep passion for me, and I wanted to immerse myself not only in its physical demands but also its rich history. My goal was not only to excel as a dancer but to understand the cultural significance of the art form and contribute to its preservation
Through rigorous practice, I built up the endurance to perform for 3 continuous hours, embodying both the physical and mental discipline required. Beyond dance, I conducted research on the decline of Bharatanatyam over the past 20 years. This led to the creation of a policy paper where I suggested strategies to revive and sustain this cultural treasure.
Nidhi’s 10 years journey in theatre, including her attendance at the prestigious Juilliard Performing Arts Summer Program, showcases her evolution from performer to educator. She has completed the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) exams upto Grade 7 with distinction in each, and will take her Grade 8 exam in 2025. As a director, she led an Indianised dance drama adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” with 24 middle school students, earning 7 awards and a ₹10000 scholarship for excellence in theatre. Nidhi has also leveraged her theatre skills to teach english to maids in her community and has written an original murder mystery script currently in production.
I completed 7 levels of the LAMDA exams, scoring distinctions in each, and I will take my Grade 8 exam in 2025. As part of my theatre experience, I directed an Indianized adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, working with 24 students, winning 7 awards and a ₹10,000 scholarship. I also attended the Juilliard Performing Arts Summer Program to further enhance my skills. Beyond performance, I used theatre techniques to teach English to maids in my community and wrote a murder mystery script that is now in production.
Theatre has always been a passion of mine, and I pursued it not only to develop as a performer but also to use it as a tool for education and cultural exchange. Teaching English to maids in my community and directing young students allowed me to extend the power of theatre beyond the stage. Attending Juilliard reinforced my commitment to using theatre as a means to inspire and educate.
Through my LAMDA exams and the Juilliard experience, I developed strong skills in both performance and direction. Directing Romeo and Juliet involved blending traditional theatre with Indian culture, creating a unique and impactful production. I applied theatre-based methods to help maids learn English, making language learning interactive and engaging. My creative journey also led me to write a murder mystery script, now under production.
Nidhi’s artistic journey began in theatre and dance, but a conversation with her parents about the artisans in her hometown of Kannur, Kerala, led her to explore the world of traditional crafts. Curious about the impact of globalization on this traditional artisan, she interned at the Kerala folklore academy, Kannur, where she interviewed over 30 artisans. Her research culminated in a research paper (Accepted by Curieux Academic Journal) on socio-economic analysis of the handicraft industry, revealing the shift from monarchy’s patronage to the pressure of a capitalist market. Inspired by her findings, Nidhi wrote a book – Link “Behind the Curtains: Kerala’s Craftsmanship through Shifting Tides of Power” that captures the artisan stories and emphasise the need for citizen let support to preserve this traditional art forms. The proceed from her book will be donated to a trust dedicated to the artisans, setup a fund of 1.5 lakhs to support the artisans of Kerala in collaboration with the academy.
My artistic journey began in theatre, but a conversation about the artisans in my hometown of Kannur shifted my focus towards traditional craftsmanship. To deepen my understanding, I interned at the Kerala Folklore Academy, where I interviewed over 30 artisans and conducted a socio-economic analysis of Kerala’s handicraft industry. I explored the impact of globalization on these artisans and their craft. This work has
inspired me to write a book that tells the artisans’ stories, highlighting the shift from royal patronage to today’s capitalist market. Additionally, I plan to organize a fundraiser to support these artisans, with proceeds from the book and fundraiser going towards their welfare.
I realized that art is not confined to performance but also includes traditional crafts that are now under threat. Learning about the artisans’ struggles to preserve their heritage in a globalized economy motivated me to explore ways to contribute to their survival. I want to ensure that Kerala’s rich handicraft traditions are not lost, and I believe that both awareness and financial support are essential to their preservation.
Through my internship at the Kerala Folklore Academy, I immersed myself in the socio-cultural and economic challenges faced by the artisans. I synthesized these insights into a research paper that analyzes the industry’s current state. To further raise awareness and provide direct support, I am writing a book that narrates the artisans’ experiences. The proceeds from this book, alongside a fundraiser I am organizing, will be donated to a trust dedicated to the betterment of the artisans in Kerala, ensuring their craft and livelihoods thrive in the modern world.
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