2008 upcoming events
  • Saturday, April 19 | 2pm
    Maryada Purasha Rama
    Sri Venkateswara Temple of Greater Chicago
    1145 W Sullivan Road
    Aurora, IL 60506
    Tickets FREE

    Performance of the Indian epic Ramayana by the Natya Dance Theatre School.
  • Saturday, May 3 | 8pm
    Natya Dance Theatre Company performance
    The Cedarburg Cultural Center
    W62 N546 Washington Avenue
    Cedarburg, WI 53012
    Tickets $14 day of, $12 in advance,
    $5 students/seniors

    For more information, please call 262.375.3676.
  • Saturday, June 28 | 11am
    Natya Dance Theatre Company at Ravinia Festival
    Martin Theatre
    200 Ravinia Park Drive
    Highland Park, IL 60035

    For more information about tickets, please click here.
  • Saturday, August 2
    Arangetram of Amulya & Anuhya Gampa
    Tickets FREE

    Solo debut performances by these disciples of Hema Rajagopalan.
  • Sunday, August 3
    Arangetram of Krupa Patel
    McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage
    425 22nd Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
    Tickets FREE

    Solo debut performance by this disciple of Hema Rajagopalan.
  • Saturday, August 9
    Arangetram of Shilpa Viswanathan
    Hinsdale South High School
    7401 S Clarendon Hills Rd, Darien, IL 60561
    Tickets FREE

    Solo debut performance by this disciple of Hema Rajagopalan.
  • Sunday, August 10
    Arangetram of Prelalatha Babu
    McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage
    425 22nd Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
    Tickets FREE

    Solo debut performance by this disciple of Hema Rajagopalan.
  • Saturday, August 16
    Arangetram of Amrita Raghuraman
    Bolingbrook High School
    365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
    Tickets FREE

    Solo debut performance by this disciple of Hema Rajagopalan.
  • Sunday, August 17
    Arangetram of Shuvani Sanyal
    Tickets FREE

    Solo debut performance by this disciple of Hema Rajagopalan.
  • Saturday, November 8 | 8pm
    Natya Presents: Priyadarsini Govind of India
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue
    River Grove, IL 60171
    Tickets $20 regular, $15 student/senior

    India’s acclaimed Bharata Natyam dancer presents a solo Bharata Natyam performance accompanied by live orchestra.

    Please call 312.212.1240 or email bill@natya.com to reserve.


2008 past events

  • Thursday, April 3 | 8pm
    Margam: The Sacred Path
    Braden Auditorium
    Illinois State University
    Normal, IL 61790
    Tickets FREE

    Perfoce of this evening-length work by the Natya Dance Theatre Company. Accompanied by live orchestra.
  • Monday, March 17 | 7pm
    Natya Dance Theatre School Student Showcase
    Kennedy Junior High
    2929 Green Tails Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
    Tickets FREE

    Performance and demonstration by Natya Dance Theatre Company dancers and students of different ages from the Natya Dance Theatre School. An opportunity for people of all backgrounds to learn more about Bharata Natyam, the classical Indian dance form practiced and taught by Natya Dance Theatre.
  • Sunday, March 9 | 2pm
    Natya Dance Theatre School Student Showcase
    Cutting Hall (Palatine Park District)
    150 E Wood Street, Palatine, IL
    Tickets FREE

    Members of the Natya Dance Theatre Company are joined by students from the Natya Dance Theatre School. In addition to presenting works from the repertory, dancers will demonstrate different aspects of Bharata Natyam, the classical Indian dance form practiced and taught by Natya Dance Theatre. Great for the whole family!
  • Saturday, March 8
    Manifestations of Shiva
    Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago
    10915 Lemont Road, Lemont, IL
    Tickets FREE

    Members of Natya Dance Theatre Company are joined by students from the Natya Dance Theatre School in this celebration of Shivaratri.
  • Monday, February 4 | 7pm
    Kennedy Junior High
    2929 Green Tails Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
    Tickets FREE

    Performance and demonstration by Natya Dance Theatre Company dancers and students of different ages from the Natya Dance Theatre School. An opportunity for people of all backgrounds to learn more about Bharata Natyam, the classical Indian dance form practiced and taught by Natya Dance Theatre.


2007 past events

  • Saturday, December 8 | 2pm
    Days of Dance, Days of Light
    Skokie Public Library
    5215 W Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077
    Tickets FREE

    Experience the timeless beauty of Indian dance as students from the Natya Dance Theatre School perform works of Bharata Natyam. A family-friendly program suitable for all ages.

    This event is hosted by Apna Ghar – South Asian Seniors House of Peace.
  • Sunday, November 11 | 2pm (Natya Dancers Perform) | 10-5pm (Expo)
    NBC5 Travel Expo
    Navy Pier, Festival Hall A
    600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
    Tickets FREE

    Travel the world without a passport! Experience a diversity of cultural exhibitions and see Natya Dance Theatre Company dancers perform. Make sure to travel to Booth 1011, where Natya representatives will have information about Bharata Natyam classes, upcoming performances and other exciting events.
  • Saturday, November 10 | 4:15pm (Natya Dancers Perform) | 10-5pm (Expo)
    NBC5 Travel Expo
    Navy Pier, Festival Hall A
    600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
    Tickets FREE

    Travel the world without a passport! Experience a diversity of cultural exhibitions and see Natya Dance Theatre Company dancers perform. Make sure to travel to Booth 1011, where Natya representatives will have information about Bharata Natyam classes, upcoming performances and other exciting events.
  • Saturday, November 3 | 12 & 2pm (Repeat Performance)
    John Michael Kohler Arts Center
    608 New York Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081

    Experience the beauty and complexity of Bharata Natyam in this solo performance by a member of the Natya Dance Theatre Company.

    Please call 920.458.6144 for more information.
  • Monday, October 15 | 5pm Workshop | 7:30pm Performance
    Lily Reid Hold Memorial Chapel
    Lake Forest College
    College and Sheridan Roads, Lake Forest, IL
    T ickets FREE

    Workshop and performance by Natya Dance Theatre and guest artist. Experience Bharata Natyam and Manipuri, a classical dance form of East India that is rarely seen in the United States. A great introduction to the classical dance arts of India.

    Please call 847.735.6170 or visit Lake Forest for more information.
  • Saturday, October 13 | 8pm
    Natya Dance Theatre Founder & Artistic Director, Hema Rajagopalan, presents...
    A Natya Dance Theatre Company performance with guest artists from India.
    Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
    Harold Washington Library Center (lower level)
    Tickets $20 regular, $15 students/seniors

    Please call 312.212.1240 or email bill@natya.com for more information.
  • Saturday, October 13 | 2-5pm
    Macy's "Day of Music"
    Symphony Center
    220 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
    T ickets FREE

    Members of the Natya Dance Theatre Company join in this “Musical Menagerie,” part of the Kraft Family Matinee Series. Come learn about Bharata Natyam and many other art forms! Great for the whole family!
  • Monday, October 1 | 7-9pm
    Silverspace Studio
    1474 N Milwaukee Ave #3, Chicago, IL
    Tickets FREE

    Choreographers Hema Rajagopalan and Shirley Mordine will talk about their collaboration in making Two Rivers, which premiered at the Other Dance Festival in September 2007. Two Rivers brought four dancers, two separate dances, and one idea together. While respecting the traditions of each art form, two separate dances intertwined and converged to form one continuing flow of imagery. Come join the conversation to find out what the challenges were in combining two distinct disciplines and styles of movement, and if there were any parameterrs, or set of goals intended for the work.
  • Sunday, September 16
    Manipuri, classical dance of East India
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
    Tickets $20 regular, $15 students/seniors

    Darshana Jhaveri and Troupe from India perform Manipuri, a classical dance style of East India distinguished by expression entirely through body movement with no emphasis on any one part. The two distinct elements of the dance, tandava (the masculine) and lasya (the feminine) are revealed in a variety of types and forms in their dance and dramatic compositions. Religious themes based on the life story and the divine love of the gods Radha and Krishna pervade most of the social functions and religious festivals that are celebrated by appropriate and characteristic dances, dance dramas and community prayers. These celebrations involve highly esthetic dance forms, colorful costumes, ornaments, sets and music that is artistically and esthetically evolved.

    Please call 312.212.1240 or email bill@natya.com for more information.
  • Saturday, August 25
    Arangetram (solo debut): Toral Soni
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
  • Saturday, August 18
    Arangetram (solo debut): Sonali Rupani
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
  • Sunday, August 12
    Arangetram (solo debut): Malini & Neelima Kartha
    McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage
    425 22nd Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
  • Saturday, August 11
    Arangetram (solo debut): Nina Mohan
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
  • Sunday, August 5
    Arangetram (solo debut): Vinay Srinivasan
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
  • Saturday, August 4
    Arangetram (solo debut): Sri Konkapaka
    Triton College Performing Arts Center
    2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
  • Saturday, July 28
    Arangetram (solo debut): Shobhana Gopalakrishnan
    East Aurora High School
    Aurora, IL
  • Friday, June 8
    Oak Park, IL

    Natya Company dancers perform with a leading Show Choir. Don’t miss this exciting cross cultural music and dance event!
  • Saturday, June 2
    Oak Park, IL

    Natya Company dancers perform with a leading Show Choir. Don’t miss this exciting cross cultural music and dance event!
  • Sunday, May 20
    Skokie Festival of Cultures
    4701 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60076
    Tickets FREE

    Dancers from Natya Company lead a dance tour of India. Please call 847.674.1500 for more information.
  • Saturday, May 19 | 6pm
    Natya Dance Theatre School Student Showcase, performances by students in the NDT school
    Blizzard Theatre, Elgin Community College
    1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123
    Tickets FREE
  • Saturday, May 12 | 1pm
    Passport to India, performance and demonstration by a member of the Natya Dance Theatre Company
    Chicago Children's Museum
    700 E Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
    Tickets FREE with museum admission, $8 children/adults

    Please call 312.527.1000 for more information.
  • Thursday, March 15 - Sunday, March 17 | 8pm
    WORLD PREMIERE: Alakshaya - Invisible Veil
    Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago
    600 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605

    A new, evening-length piece that explores the contemporary metaphors of invisible veils. In this work, NDT artistic director and NDT associate artistic director transport the viewers to a world where spirituality and mysticism meet, and where dance vividly expresses a spectrum of deep emotions, juxtaposing tradition with contemporary movement.

    Please call 312.344.8300 for more information or to purchase tickets.

  • Sunday, January 21 | 2pm
    Natya Dance Theatre Company Performance
    Oakton Community College
    Des Plaines, IL 60016

    Please call 847.635.1900 for more information or to purchase tickets.


2006 past events

  • Thursday, September 7 - Sunday, September 10
    Dance India: Choreographing Traditions, an international festival and conference
    Chicago Cultural Center
    Harold Washington Library Center
    Chicago Millenium Park

    Chicago dance enthusiasts will have an opportunity to experience the dance of India at its finest. Natya Dance Theatre (NDT) and the Department of Cultural Affairs present Dance India: Choreographing Traditions.

    A unique and exciting event for people of all cultures and ages, the festival will offer dance of many different Indian genres, including classical, ritual, and tribal. The festival will also advance NDT’s mission to bring the arts of India to Chicago and make local audiences more aware of the richness and diversity of Indian culture. People can attend for as little as an afternoon or the entire four-day festival.

    Dance India: Choreographing Traditions will be a major event in NDT’s Thirtieth Anniversary season, which included a June 26 performance by the NDT Company with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. The performance drew a crowd of 13,000 to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park.

    Dance India: Choreographing Traditions will include performances by some of India’s most critically-acclaimed dance artists, who will present group and solo choreography; a keynote address by Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, an eminent dance scholar from India; workshops in regional, ritual, and classical dance styles, as well as martial arts forms and yoga; and panel discussions by scholars and  practitioners who will address the topic of traditions in transition.

    A series of FREE afternoon performances will feature innovative works of dance from India and also will showcase work by Chicago-area performers.
  • Sunday, August 27 | 4pm (Broadcast live on June 22)
    Natya appears on WTTW11 in Arts Across Illinois: CenterStage, which showcases a wide variety of talented musicians, dancers and storytellers from throughout the state of Illinois.
  • Monday, June 26 | 2am (Broadcast live on June 22)
    Natya appears on WTTW11 in Arts Across Illinois: CenterStage, which showcases a wide variety of talented musicians, dancers and storytellers from throughout the state of Illinois.
  • Monday, June 26 | 6pm
    Silk Road Chicago: Summer 2006
    Chicago Millenium Park

    Natya performs in a free concert by The Silk Road Ensemble with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This performance will be the centerpiece of Silk Road Chicago: Summer 2006, the citywide celebration of Chicago’s multicultural legacy from June1 - September 30.

    For more information about Silk Road Chicago: Summer 2006, please visit www.877Chicago.com or call 1-877-CHICAGO.
  • Thursday, June 22 | 8pm
    Natya performs live on WTTW11 in Arts Across Illinois: CenterStage, which showcases a wide variety of talented musicians, dancers and storytellers from throughout the state of Illinois.