“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
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Do you remember the first time you fell in love? Felt enraged at a social injustice? Cried over a silly misunderstanding? We often feel the need to encapsulate these emotional experiences for the long-term, whether that be by snapping a picture on our phones, sharing news on social media, or simply penning down our thoughts.
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Anubhava, meaning the "experience," aims to capture and explore the myriad of unique emotions that encapsulate the human experience through Indian classical dance and music. Founded by Dr. Shriya Srinivasan and Joshua George, the company comprises a vibrant group of second-generation Indian-American, award-winning artists. The company's repertoire ranges from traditional works exploring the depth of Bharatanatyam to contemporary, thematic works expanding the horizons of the Indian-classical arts. Anubhava premiered at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival in 2015, receiving much critical acclaim. The company has since toured across the United States - impressing audiences, raising funds for charitable organizations through performances, and encouraging youth to continue pursuing the Indian classical arts - even with rigorous academic commitments.
In recent years, Shriya and Joshua have infused their training in science and medicine into their artistic creations, producing work that explores these distinct intersections. In collaboration with Dr. Srinivasan's BIONICs Lab at Harvard, the company recently developed an Immersive Haptics Platform to augment the sensory experience of dance. The technology enables audiences to feel the intricate footwork produced by dancers during performances through a mobile application. This project has been documented for feature on PBS NOVA’s "Building Stuff" Series in Fall of 2024.
Anubhava's work has been commissioned and supported through funding from the MIT Media Lab, Harvard ArtLab, and MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund program, with original creations produced for various organizations including SEWA International, the International Services Center, and the American India Foundation.
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The Hindu reviewed the company in 2015 stating, “Anubhava bears testament to the bright future of India’s classical arts outside its natural borders. Not only are these arts in very capable hands, but they are also being invigorated by a fiery passion rapidly growing amongst youngsters outside India."
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To book a show, receive more information, and partake in this experience - please contact anubhavadance@gmail.com.
Background Photo by Sibu Kutty