Nithiyashree “Anu” Moorthi, a senior at Cypress High School who has been training in Bharatnatyam since she was just five years old, performed her formal dance recital Aug. 13.
According to her mom, Jayasudha, Anu successfully completed her Arangetram (Indian classical dance) at the Lake Forest Civic Center under the guidance of Smt. Mahalkshmi Balaji.
“The intriguing footwork and breathtaking expressions made this piece truly amazing,” said Jayasudha. She said the audience was “spellbound” by the performance which she also credits to the intricate choreography of Balaji.
After such a vigorous performance, in contrast was a very soothing Performance called “Padam.”
Her parents say Anu has enjoyed an immense passion for this beautiful art since childhood, she puts her heart and soul into each practice. She first started this dance journey under Vanamala Desikan, who had taught in the Thanjavur style of Bharathnatyam.
When Anu moved to the U.S., her mom says Anu began training under Dr. Bina Joe in the Mysore style of Bharatanatyam for over 5 years. As someone who is accustomed to change, she was trained under many teachers in various styles before coming to Mahalakshmi Balaji.
“She has been a student of hers for the past five years,” said Jayasudha. During this time, Anu “has grown tremendously as a student, a performer, an assistant and a teacher. Not only is Nithiyashree a great bharatanatyam dancer, but she also enjoys doing other dance styles like Bollywood and hip hop,” she added.
Nithiyashree has also been choreographing many Bollywood dances for the past four years. She is a musician who was trained in traditional Carnatic music for over six years and Hindustani music for three.
On top of that, her mom says in an email interview that Anu is “someone with many talents, she used to also play the violin and the flute.”
Jayasudha thanked all her friends and family who travelled to see the dance recital and said most were “beyond amazed” at her performance. “It was truly a special and memorable night for her family.”