BINDU RAJENDREN

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BIO

“A highly expressive face with eloquent eyes” - Leela Ventakataraman, Eminent dance critic

Eloquent and intense facial expressions with graceful and flowing movements that evoke rasa-anubhuti (aesthetic experience) are characteristics of Bindu Rajendren’s Mohiniattam performances. As a performing artiste, Bindu’s strength is in her abhinaya (the art of expression) and her intense storytelling abilities. Central to Bindu’s dance practices is the elemental spiritual connection through bhava (sentiment) and bhakti (devotion).

 
 

For over 17 years Bindu trained under the skillful tutelage of Shri Kalamandalam Mohan in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kuchipudi. Since 2014, Bindu has chosen to specialise and pursue advanced training in Mohiniattam, a feminine dance style from Kerala. Bindu continues to advance her dance by taking masterclasses with eminent gurus and finetuning her theoretical, performative, choreographic, emotive and expressive skills. She composes, conceptualizes and choreographs new works that are relevant and traditional. Some of her notable works include choreographies on Climate Change - Prithvii Tatvam, a Mughachalam in ragamalika on Vettekorumakkan and other dances on Mannarshala and Inthiyanoor temples and their legends.

Bindu is also well trained in various Indian folk dance styles such as Thiruvathira Kalli, Rajasthani, Cheraw Dance and Kashmiri dances from Ms. Asha Singh. She is also known for her contemporary and creative choreographic works such as Darshan, Dance of Kali, Jal Tarang and Ardhanareeshwaran that depicts socially relevant issues and incorporates elements from Indian classical dance styles, yoga and Kerala martial arts.

 

PERFORMANCES

Bindu has performed at international, local and diasporic festivals and concerts in Australia, United Kingdom (London), New Zealand, UAE and India. These include Kutcheris and Sopana Seva performances at various venues in Kerala, multiple performances at the 40th Anniversary Celebrations (2019) of the Akademi in London, at Abhinaya Festival 2019 (Brisbane), Woodford Folk Festival 2017 - 2018 (Woodford), FIMDV 2017 - 2018 (Melbourne), Dance Mela 2017 (Melbourne), Sangeet Mela 2016 (Brisbane), Taranaki International Arts Festival in New Zealand and the Real NZ Festival at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. She has also performed as a guest dancer with Java Dance Theatre in their internationally acclaimed production ‘Back of the Bus’. Her recent performances and dance workshops at Woodford Folk Festival 2018 were received with great commendations and praise and moved audiences to tears.

Bindu has performed at the The Bhavan in London, at Queensland Parliament and at the Victoria Albert Museum in London. She has also collaborated with and performed alongside renowned Queensland artists like Linsey Pollak, Anthony Garcia, Danielle Bentley, Menaka Thomas and Tunji Beier. She has also performed at Kerala Kalamandalam, the premiere institution preserving the performing artistic heritage of Kerala. 

Bindu is also experienced in producing films to propagate dance through socially impactful choreographies. Some of her notable dance films include one for the acclaimed BOXED series produced by Narthaki, HER Story commissioned by Sangam festival (Melbourne) and THE EMERGENCE which was especially commissioned for the Epic Women festival by Padmashri Dr. Anita Ratnam.

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EDUCATION

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Bindu underpins her dance works with research and comprehensive study, including analysis of the history, fundamentals, concepts, aesthetics and choreographic elements of dance. She also gives importance to understanding the poetic and spiritual meanings and philosophies of Indian classical dances.

She graduated with a Distinction for her Masters in Dance Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand. As a dance researcher, Bindu has presented papers at various international academic dance conferences such as at the Dance and the Child International conference in Denmark, World Dance Alliance Conference in New Delhi and the Moving Communities Conference in New Zealand. She was also a Pecha Kucha presenter at the Taranaki International Arts Festival 2011 in New Zealand.

Bindu has over a decade of experience in teaching Indian classical and improvised dances privately and through dance programs offered at schools, universities, art galleries and museums, and at music and dance festivals. Additionally, she continues to organise and support her gurus at workshops, including the Apsaras Natyashastra Workshop and at Kerala Kalamandalam. She has also taught at the Queensland University of Technology within the Dance Studies department as a sessional academic. 

training

Bindu was introduced to the magical world of dance by her first Guru, Shri Kalamandalam Mohan, at the age of 4. She learned the nuances of movement and the enjoyment of dance during this time. Bindu participated in school and community performances and competitions where she amassed many prizes and had her Arangetram at Aranmulla Parthasarathy Temple in Kerala at the age of 14. She learned Bharatnatyam, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi and a variety of folk dances from Shri Kalamandalam Mohan. At her university in Delhi, Bindu was mentored by Ms. Asha Singh to further her dance skills and learn a variety of folk dances. As a recipient of awards at inter-college competitions and a leader of group dances, Bindu was well-known at the university for her classical and folk dances. She was elected as the Music and Dance Society's secretary in her second year and as president in her third year and also awarded the Shanta Memorial award for her contribution to the music, dance, and cultural life of the university community. During her masters in Dance Studies at the University of Otago, Alison East was a catalyst and mentor in helping Bindu open her eyes to dance’s breadth, depth and positive effects to community and society. Bindu is currently undertaking intensive masterclasses under the tutelage of eminent Mohiniattam legends, Guru Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi Prabhu and Guru Nirmala Paniker. Bindu has trained under Guru G Venu, a Kuiyattam and Kathakali exponent in abhinaya and theatre through the actor-training workshop - ‘Navarasa Sadhana’ Phases 1, 2 and 3, and Guru Priyadarshini Govind for abhinaya. Bindu has also trained briefly with Guru Tara Rajkumar OAM, Natya Sudha Dance School and Company, Melbourne.

Bindu with Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi Prabhu

Bindu with Guru Nirmala Panikker

Bindu with Guru Nirmala Paniker

Guru Venu G and Bindu

Bindu with Guru Venu G

Bindu is currently immersing herself in the study of Sopana music with her guru Anil P. Sopanam, the foremost student of the renowned poet Kavalam Narayana Panicker. She is also working under the guidance of Guru Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi Prabhu to gain a deeper understanding of the Natya Shastra.

Bindu with Guru Anil Pazhaveedu Sopanam

Bindu with Guru Tara Rajkumar OAM

Bindu with Guru Tara Rajkumar OAM

Guru Shri Kalamandalam Mohan with Bindu

Guru Shri Kalamandalam Mohan with Bindu