Sutradhar Institute of Dance & Related Arts

SIDRA's mission is to transcend cultural and gender barriers with re-imagined, innovative and cross-cultural choreographies of ancient Kuchipudi and to nurture and encourage dancers and artists to overcome language and cultural boundaries through dance. SIDRA has over the years enjoyed a very diverse group of students--children of South Asian and mixed South Asian heritage, as well as other Asian, African American and White students. Because SIDRA's approach has been to reinterpret and make Kuchipudi myth, dance, and poetry more accessible it has proven to have broad community appeal and has attracted students from all backgrounds who have remained with us for many years mastering the art.

The Sutradhar Institute of Dance and Related Arts (SIDRA) aims to bring the Indian classical Kuchipudi dance to the local community. SIDRA was established in 1988 - one of the first Kuchipudi Academy in the U.S. Emblematic of Devi's synergistic perspective is the Sanskrit word sutradhar, which means "thread-bearer"-the character in dance-drama who binds together the performer, performance and audience. SIDRA introduces dance through a blend of yoga, creative writing, story-telling and music--all links in the chain of Kuchipudi aesthetics. This holistic approach to an ancient art form enhances its attractiveness to young people, allowing them to connect to dance from a deeper and more expressive core.