"ANITA SAYS..."
Dr. Anita Ratnam is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, arts presenter, cultural activist, and art entrepreneur from India. She has a unique style that blends classical and contemporary dance forms, and her contributions to the dance scene in India have been recognized both nationally and internationally. This podcast series is an occasional, perhaps even frequent, lens on the global Indian/South Asian dance scene. Trends, shifting aesthetics, the intersection of Dance, Music, Theatre, Performance, and Society. Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
Episodes
The May edition is filled with impressions of many dance, theatre and visual
Arts shows and installations in Chennai and Mumbai.
From the only India showing of celebrated UK choreographer Akram Khan’s GIGENIS- A generation of the earth, to THE FEMALE LEGACY PROJECT that celebrated 3 unusual women performers, this podcast also asks many important questions. What is the physical limit for a dancer’s training if injury is the inevitabl...
In this April episode of the Anita Says podcast, I dive into why the March episode was a **silent podcast** and shed light on how AI has been misused by scammers to impersonate my personality and voice. I share my thoughts on the impact of AI in the arts, discussing both its creative potential and the ethical concerns surrounding its use.
Additionally, I reflect on my March performances - sharing personal experiences from the stage...
The sounds of silence
When voice, ideas, images, thoughts, notes and personal histories are hijacked and manipulated by AI, what are we left with? Ourselves – our minds – this invisible and ephemeral time bound entity.
The Non-Podcast podcast is in solidarity with all artists and creative people, me included, who have been at the receiving end of the havoc and devastation caused by the unethical and unauthorised use by AI o...
In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of faith, dance, and legacy. From the transformative experience of performing at the MahaKumbh to the personal challenges dancers face, we hear from iconic figures like Shovana Narayan, Geeta Chandran, and Aditi Mangaldas. We also reflect on the evolving dance world, including Akram Khan’s global influence and the enduring impact of legends like Kumudini Lakhia. Tune in for a ce...
As we step into 2025, I take a moment to reflect on the year gone by—one filled with both challenges and moments of deep gratitude. 2024 marked a personal milestone for me—60 years since my Arangetram—and it was also a year of pause, introspection, and healing after a broken bone forced me to slow down. But through travel, encounters with new art forms, and witnessing the evolving dance world, I’ve come to appreciate the immense po...
In this episode, I speak of tradition as a living, breathing entity—something that evolves, adapts, and yet remains anchored. In this episode, I reflect on the struggles of young dancers navigating the pressures of social media, the need for critical mentorship, and how we as senior artists must guide the next generation without losing sight of our roots. The arts are not static—they are resilient, relevant, and ever-changing.
In this November edition, I reflect on how dancers navigate today’s turbulent times. With political, financial, and health challenges, I emphasize the resilience artists need and the importance of staying true to our cultural roots. I call for solidarity among dancers, a commitment to inclusivity, and a renewed focus on introspection. Dance, I believe, is a sanctuary—a powerful response to adversity that reinforces personal and cul...
Season 2 of the podcast begins in NYC and the ERASING BORDERS dance festival that marks its 17th season. The strong showing of Gen Z artistes are a sign of the many decades of work by the pioneering generation of dance elders who cleared the pathway in the 20th century for Indian dance to arrive on American main stages.
Renowned Guru Chitra Visweswaran marks the 50th anniversary of her dance academy in Chennai
As Yoga and Bharat...
In this episode of Anita Says, we sit down with Sonali Skandan, a renowned Indian classical dancer and teacher based in New York City. Sonali takes us on a journey through her experiences of practicing, preserving, and promoting Bharatanatyam and other classical dance forms in one of the most diverse cities in the world. From her early inspirations to the challenges of maintaining cultural heritage in a modern metropolis, Sonali sh...
In this edition of the Anita Says podcast the topics discussed are the crushing costs of paying dance accompanists in India, how a ballet teacher in Mumbai displayed the qualities of a true mentor by not just training two talented contemporary dancers but also facilitating their further development overseas and the lovely Chennai Arangetram of a Chinese teenager from Beijing.
Join us for the September edition of ANITA SAYS
Join us for the August edition of Anita Says as we dive into the cultural impact of traditional narratives in dance and the recent controversy surrounding Kamala Harris’s portrayal by JD Vance. We'll explore these and many other pressing issues against the vibrant backdrop of the Paris Olympics.
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://www.kassiyet.com
Sound engineering by Baba ...
In this edition, the spotlight turns to core values of Resilience & Excellence and – concepts that do not shift or bend with the changing socio-political climate.
How tennis icon Roger Federer's commencement address is also a life plan for all performances. How Instagram is slowly influencing choreography and audience expectations..
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://w...
Welcome to the June edition of the Anita Says podcast!
In this edition, Anita Ratnam discusses the reaction amongst the community about the Netflix series, Heeramandi. How Indian Dancers are reacting to the ongoing violence in Gaza, and why PRIDE MONTH should increase empathy and tolerance across identity spectrums, particularly in Indian/South Asian dance sectors.
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagr...
My guest today in the studio is the multiple award-winning performer, choreographer, artist, and speaker Geeta Chandran who discusses the role of geography in a dancer's career. Tune in and listen!
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://www.kassiyet.com
Sound engineering by Baba L Prasad
Recording studio Digi Sound Studios, Chennai, India
https://www.instagram.com/digiso...
Welcome to the May edition of the podcast Anita Says!
This edition discusses the continuing fascination of India based dancers and musicians who flock to North America for their annual performance tours.
The importance of observing LEGACY in classical dance
And, the urgent need to create safe spaces for the performing arts
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://w...
Carnatic Musician and composer ASHA RAMESH discusses her creative journey from Chennai to San Jose. Singing for eminent dancers in India and reinventing her career in America as a composer and multi-genre musician
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://www.kassiyet.com
Sound engineering by Baba L Prasad
Recording studio Digi Sound Studios, Chennai, India
https://www.instagram.com/...
The April episode discusses the war of words and ideologies that has erupted in India’s Carnatic music circles over a prestigious award being conferred by the Madras Music Academy on controversial musician TM Krishna. The Colourism debate in Kerala’s Mohiniattam circles and the removal of gender bias in KALAMANDALAM
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://www.kassiyet.com
Soun...
A conversation with author V R Devika on her new book
RUKMINI DEVI ARUNDALE
a remarkable story of a pioneer who created the possibilities for 20th-century Bharatanatyam dance in India
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://www.kassiyet.com
Sound engineering by Baba L Prasad
Recording studio Digi Sound Studios, Chennai, India
https://www.instagram.com/digisoundstudio_/
In this edition Anita speaks about the current mantra that has been chanted "Viksit Bharat - developed India", and why is it that the classical art forms that are the most evolved and the most beautiful example of developed India are not included in the discussions?
Tune in and listen!
Produced by Kassiyet, New York City, USA
https://www.instagram.com/kassiyet/
https://www.kassiyet.com
Sound engineering by Baba L P...
In this edition the subject of AI artificial intelligence as a major disruptive for the creative community is touched upon, as well as
the recently successful showing of many male dancers recently concluded Chennai dance season is highlighted.
The 120th birth anniversary of Rukmini Devi Arundale which falls in this leap year Feb 29th, and the urgent need to tighten curation of dance festivals if Chennai wants to be included in t...
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