Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay.
Indian classical dance may have its roots in tradition, but it is increasingly finding a place on the global stage. Among the forms leading this cultural expansion is Kuchipudi and playing a key role in this journey is Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay.
For over three decades, the Bengaluru-based danseuse and choreographer has worked not just as a performer, but as a cultural ambassador taking Kuchipudi to international audiences through performances, workshops, and academic collaborations.
At a time when global audiences are becoming more curious about Indian art forms, practitioners like Dr. Veena are helping bridge the gap between tradition and accessibility. Her work has been showcased across countries, including the United States, where she presented productions that blended classical Kuchipudi with unconventional elements like Tibetan hymns demonstrating how the form can adapt without losing its identity.
"Classical dance is not a museum piece, it is a living language. It must grow with society while staying rooted in its grammar. When we take it to global audiences, the responsibility is even greater to retain its essence while making it accessible and meaningful across cultures," she says.
What makes Kuchipudi particularly suited for global audiences is its storytelling. While rooted in Indian mythology, its narratives of conflict, devotion, power, and morality are universal. Dr. Veena has leaned into this strength, creating and curating performances that speak across cultures.
As part of the upcoming Samanvay Arts Festival 2026, which also marks 50 years of Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan, the programming reflects this evolving lens. Instead of staying confined to traditional themes, the festival brings in contemporary narratives. One of the productions explores waste and garbage management, using satire to turn an everyday issue into a performance. Another revisits Ravana, presenting him as a layered character rather than a one-dimensional villain.
For international viewers, such themes make classical dance more relatable, moving it beyond cultural specificity into shared human experience.
But taking an art form global requires more than performances. It needs continuity-and that's where Dr. Veena's role as an educator becomes crucial. Over the years, she has trained five generations of dancers, many of whom are now teaching and performing internationally, further expanding Kuchipudi's reach.
Through her institution, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kalaniketan, and her initiative Samanvay, she has built a structured ecosystem that combines training, research, and stage exposure. Her academic work, including books like Therey and Nritya Tarangini, also contributes to documenting and contextualising the form for wider audiences.
As digital platforms introduce younger audiences to classical arts in new ways, Kuchipudi is finding fresh relevance. And while the form continues to evolve, its essence remains intact.
For Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay, the goal is clear: to ensure that Kuchipudi doesn't just survive in a globalised world but thrives in it.
