IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
If you were at Sara kulturhus on Saturday, you might have heard the beat of Bollywood music coming from the south foyer. If curiosity led you up the stairs, you would have seen a stunning Indian dance performance by the newly formed IndiNord dance group.
Whether it was a coincidence that this all-female group performed on International Women’s Day, or was a carefully planned event by Sara’s organisers, the large crowd welcomed it with enthusiasm anyway.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
I hope that one day, we won’t need International Women’s Day. I hope that women will be seen as true equals, so much so that we won’t need a special day to remind people to celebrate the incredible women in our lives. But that’s a discussion for another time!
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
Lidiya Murali founded IndiNord just two months ago and teamed up with members of MLS (Malayali Ladies in Sweden) to bring together dancers for this event. While living in Kerala Lidiya learnt Bharatanatyam classical dance, Thiruvathirakali (a traditional dance unique to Kerala) and is impressively learning Kuchipudi classical dance from a professional online.
– I started a hobby dance class in Skellefteå for Bollywood and semi-classical styles to support those who had recently moved to Sweden and had not yet found a job, as well as those affected by the Northvolt layoffs. I observed that there aren't any Indian cultural dance events here, so I wanted to train people to be able to perform at events. That's why I started IndiNord, says Lidiya.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
Alongside Lidiya were dancers Merin Elizabeth Jhony, Kavitha Kesav, Aishwarya Madhav, Shaishree Thilakan and Arya Vijayammal. The audience were treated to two performances. The first a semi-classical Indian dance followed by an energetic Bollywood routine. Their passion and joy were infectious, and the audience responded with well-earned applause.
Tranav Gugan, 6, watched the performance.
-My son was very happy watching the Indian cultural dance and felt enthusiastic. He would also love to dance like that if events like this are organised. He loves Indian music and was thrilled to meet so many people, said his mother Nithya Gugan. IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
Lidiya’s goal is to introduce more people to IndiNord, so they can take part in future performances. The group meets once a week to practice in small halls around Skellefteå, but most of these spaces are very simple and not the best for dance training.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
– A couple of times, we have rented a hall with mirrors at Balderhallen. A hall with mirrors really helps with dance training. But we have to split the cost among ourselves, and since some of us aren’t working, it becomes too expensive, says Lidiya.
Following Saturday’s performance many of the audience, both locals and newcomers, expressed an interest in learning Indian dance.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus. Following Saturday’s performance many of the audience, both locals and newcomers, expressed an interest in learning Indian dance.
– My plan is to carefully select passionate dancers for future events, ensuring that our performances reach a truly professional level.
– Experience is not essential, just a willingness to learn, says Lidiya.
https://www.instagram.com/indi_nord/
IndiNord at Sara kulturhus. Lidiya Murali, Merin Elizabeth Jhony, Kavitha Kesav, Aishwarya Madhav, Shaishree Thilakan and Arya Vijayammal.
Lidiya’s goal is to introduce more people to IndiNord, so they can take part in future performances.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus. Left to right, Merin Elizabeth Jhony, Kavitha Kesav, Aishwarya Madhav, Shaishree Thilakan, Lidiya Murali and Arya Vijayammal.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.
IndiNord dance event at Sara kulturhus.