About

Pranita Nayar is an Indian classical dancer, choreographer, company director, curator and producer. A graduate of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in New Delhi, India, she trained for nine years with one of India’s foremost Bharata Natyam dancers, Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh. Nayar relocated to the United States in 1985, earning a Masters in Dance Ethnography from the University of Illinois.

Nayar has received many accolades in the United States and India. The Consulate of India has acknowledged her with the Honor of Distinction for “sustaining and promoting India’s multi-faceted, rich cultural heritage in the United States and for enriching the cultural and social profile of the Indian-American community.” The venerable Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar, the oldest surviving member of a royal family dating back to the 15th century, has recognized Nayar for her artistic accomplishments as the “Dance Jewel of Rajasthan.”

Nayar has performed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC; Lincoln Center in New York City; the Art Institute of Chicago; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Newark Museum; Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, India; the prestigious Darpana Academy in Ahemdaabad, India; and the Habitat World Center in New Delhi, India. She was honored to be invited to perform at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2006, she taught and choreographed international pop star Shakira for her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

In addition to performing, Nayar is a dedicated and highly sought-after educator. She is an eight-time recipient of the Master Teacher Award from the Illinois Arts Council. Her teaching encompasses master and ensemble classes, as well as introductory workshops for those who seek insight into her practice. Among others, Nayar has taught at Harvard University, Northwestern University, University of Illinois, the Art Institute of Chicago, Wayne State University, Franklin & Marshall College, and Chicago Public Schools.

Nayar brings new energy to the choreography and rhythm of her chosen dance form. Skilled in the story telling component of Bharata Natyam—where the dancer uses hand gestures and facial expressions to describe the symbolism and mythology of Hindu myths—she has been increasingly drawn to and motivated by the art and symbolisms of other faiths and cultures.

Her dance company is lauded and widely-recognized. While their foundation springs from tradition and the diverse influences of India, her company is constantly adapting to remain attuned to a transnational audience.

As a curator of dance and music, Nayar has spanned the US presenting one-of-a-kind artists including the electrifying violinist L Subramaniam; the Rajasthani folk group Rupayan; India’s foremost dhurpad musicians, the Gundecha Brothers; and Sidi Goma, the Black Sufi’s of Gujarat. She continually seeks new influences to inspire and expand her aesthetic. She returns to India annually to connect and exchange ideas with other artists in order to stay current and enrich her knowledge of evolving Indian performance and culture.

Award-winning choreographer Ashwaty Chennat is an interdisciplinary performing artist based in Chicago. Rooted in Bharatanatyam, Ashwaty draws from her many training in cultural dance, music and theatre forms to contemporize the practice. Ashwaty has directed and choreographed works throughout the Midwest. Some highlights include: “Firebird Suite” at Chicago Symphony Center, “Masks and Myths” at the Logan Center for the Arts, and curating the Mandala Makers Festival. Her work has been recognized by the Pivot Arts Incubator, 3Arts Make-a-Wave, and Chicago Dancemakers Forum.

Ashwaty is insistent on sharing underrepresented narratives within the South Asian diaspora through visual storytelling and has been exploring dance theatre for the camera. She sees this intersection as essential, with its potential to educate and break barriers. Currently, she is working with drag artist Abhijeet Rane to produce a multidisciplinary dance film confronting gender narratives in Indian arts. Ashwaty also collaborates with jazz percussionist Alvin Cobb, Jr. to amplify mental health narratives in communities of color, using non-verbal art forms. 

Ashwaty’s training in Bharatanatyam began with Sudha Chandrasekhar in Ann Arbor, MI and completed her Arangetram in 2008. She continues her training with Laksha Dantran and Pranita Nayar. With Nayar, Ashwaty is a twice-awarded apprentice (Illinois Arts Council) and is undergoing an in-depth study of Abhinaya, the storytelling component of classical Indian dance forms. 

Beyond Bharatanatyam, Ashwaty trained intensively in ballet and jazz with Deena Fournier and Lisa Holland (Ann Arbor, MI) and several South Asian forms including Mohiniyattam and South Indian folk. Outside of dance, Ashwaty is trained in Carnatic and western vocal music and improvisational theatre. She holds a BA in sociology and film from the University of Michigan and continues to integrate video and projection into her works and curation.