Natalia
dancer
culture
keeper
story
teller
choreographer
event
organizer
teacher
poet
Integrating three universal elements of dance, Ang (grace), Taal (rhythm), and Abhinaya (emotion), Natalia creates her own original aesthetics by weaving the multiple global dance styles she has loved and learned in depth, including Kathak dance, Peruvian, Middle Eastern and others, into one tapestry which connects her and others to spirit, culture and ancestral wisdom. Guided by her Indigenous Andean roots and having lived within multiple communities throughout her life, Natalia now shares her art with audiences internationally, inspired by art’s ability to transcend binaries and borders and as a medium through which we can thrive despite historical trauma. As a life-long professional exponent of Kathak dance - the uniqueness in Natalia's movement, rhythm and
storytelling practices are defined by her femme subtleness and sensitivity, as well as, by a traditional attention to detail, which are unconventional in an environment of superficiality, flashiness and violence. Blessed by her dance mentors Mekhala Devi Natavar, Smt. Sandhya Desai and others, in 2008, she was awarded a prestigious fellowship award as Senior Performing artist by the American Institute of Indian Studies and has performed solos at renowned international venues such as Kamani Theater in Delhi, India (2010) , Sadler's Wells in London UK (2013) and Edinburgh festival, Scotland (2016). As an M.A. graduate in dance from Roehampton University, Natalia now continues to perform, teach and choreograph in her hometown of Madison, Wisconsin and abroad.
INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS
Sadler's Wells Press Release
(2013)
"With her stunning display of grace and expression, Natalia is one of the most intriguing performers of Kathak today."
London, U.K.
"She has an enormous breadth of technique and expression, illustrating what in Urdu is called "deceptive ease" (ada) - making the difficult look effortless. She shows an obvious delight in her dancing, she takes us with her. Her dancing utilizes her body, hands, feet, and face with equal grace, expressiveness, and lyricism."
"Learning from Natalia didi has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life and by far one of my greatest accomplishments...she is an amazing teacher!"
American Institute
of Indian Studies Fellowship
Review Committee (2008)
Chicago, U.S.A.
Kallpa House student:
Ragini Bora
(2022)
Madison, WI, U.S.A.
Heading 5
Quartz Insurance:
Duo Pukra workshop review
(2022)
"Today was beautiful...it aligned with our focus in our organization for honoring diversity, providing equitable opportunities, leading inclusively, and creating a sense of belonging."
Madison, WI, USA
"She performed extempore abhinaya [improvised storytelling]...and in the days of amped-up spectacle...the presentation was refreshing in its directness...this potential vulnerability only served to draw in the audience, who were visibly left wanting more by the end "
London, UK
The Hindu Newspaper
(2008)
"Natalia dances with a clean Kathak profile without the slightest intrusive fidget in her focused movements. Teentaal (rhythm cycle) was executed with accurate grace sans flamboyance. The ghazal (expressional piece)...subtely captured the Moghul court ambience."
Delhi, India
Pulse Magazine
(2014)
The Guardian Newspaper
(2016)
"Her performance was a delicately lyrical interplay of gaze and gesture..."
London, U.K.
"Natalia’s Kathak dancing as Umrao Jaan is spectacular"
