Viji Rao Biography 
Viji Rao is an accomplished south Indian dancer, teacher and choreographer. This Bharatnatyam dance artist has more than one decade experience in this field. Her choreographed pieces of Bharatnatyam termed as “technical tour de force” by Philadelphia Inquirer, 2011 she has been hailed as a “theatrical visionary” by Philadelphia Inquirer in 2010. Viji has closely worked with many accomplished Indian artists like Anita Ratnam, Bragha Bessell, Kalanidhi Narayanan, C.V. Chandrasekhar and Navtej Singh Johar, apart from foreign artists for several collaboration works.
Viji got initiated to the world of classical dance forms at the age of 5. She was well encouraged by her father. She got first training under Shiva Rao who nourished her talents a lot. She got advanced studies from the dance school The Sridhars. Viji is currently settled in UK and has professional experience of around 15 years as a professional dancer and choreographer based in the U.K. She learnt contemporary dance at the London School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. She is also trained in traditional Indian martial arts forms apart from aerial and ballroom dancing. She is settled in Philadelphia since 2002 where she serves as the director of Three Aksha, a dance school. She has also taught art forms at various educational institutions abroad.
Apart from choreographing wonder Bharatnatyam pieces, she has also experimented with contemporary themes. She has also collaborated with several international artists for contemporary projects. Chitraleka Dance Company, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, Sampradaya Dance Company Toronto, and Arangham Dance Company Chennai are some of the dance troupes with whom she has collaborated with. For her outstanding excellence in the field she has also been allowed several grants and recognitions.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 09, 2016
