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More Latest News are coming soon...Mani Pujitha Kallakuri
Assistant Artistic Director: Nrityamala USA
Mani Pujitha Kallakuri is the Assistant Artistic Director of Nrityamala Dance Academy, and is heavily involved in all aspects of the institution including operations, marketing, teaching, and choreography.
Pujitha was exposed to Indian Classical Dance at a young age through the teachings of her Guru, and mother, Dr. Uma Vyjayanthimala Kallakuri. She absorbed the traditions and practices through observation, and then formally began her dance education at age 3. She has countless supporters in the pursuit of her art including her family, and of course her Guru.
The history, theory, and art of Dance have always fascinated her, and she participated in many performances developing her skills in both Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi, while imbibing the required theoretical knowledge throughout her school years in Bloomington, IL. However, Pujitha, like her mother, did not only limit herself to the practice of dance. She was actively involved in the community and advocated for diversity and cultural awareness utilizing dance as a portal to communicate with people of various backgrounds. Pujitha further engaged in social service locally and abroad, and was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream Award” for her efforts while she was a senior attending Normal Community High School.
The desire to learn and hone her skills did not waver when Pujitha went to college. In addition to working towards a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with concentrations in Health and Business Communication from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), she remained an active member and leader of Nrityamala Dance Academy, took on defining roles in Delta Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc. (a South Asian Service Sorority), Ghungroo Dance Company (South Asian fusion dance team), and multiple other organizations. She was a recipient of the 1st ever Indian Student Association Distinguished Senior award for her contributions to the UIUC campus community.
Presently, Pujitha is working to improve her repertoire of dance education and strives to master the vast amount of knowledge at her disposal, while maintaining her duties as Assistant Artistic Director at NDA. Her experiences have shaped her vision and aesthetic as a Choreographer, and in order to reach the generation of South Asian American dancers more effectively, Pujitha creates unique pieces that reflect the meeting of traditional Indian Classical steps and concepts, with Indian Folk styles, mainstream Bollywood, and Western influence (such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop).
She believes in the importance of culture and tradition, and is excited to continue the legacy of Guru Dr. Uma Vyjayanthimala Kallakuri through Nrityamala Dance Academy.
