Anjali Fluker - Bio
Performance Highlights:
2010: Universal Orlando Resort, Bollywood workshop for employees celebrating Asian Heritage Month
2010: Telugu Association of Greater Orlando, Ugadi celebration
2008-2009: Orlando Regional Malayalee Association, Chrismas programs
2008-2009: Gujarati Society of Central Florida Talent Show, at the Orange County Convention Center
2009: Diwali Celebration, at the Hindu Society of Central Florida in Casselberry
2009: Orlando Regional Malayalee Association, Onam celebration
2009: Sanaa restaurant, grand opening at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Lake Buena Vista
2009: Buddha's Birthday Celebration, at the Guang Ming Temple of Orlando
2009: Telugu Association of Greater Orlando, Sankaranti Sambaralu
2009: India Fest, Melbourne, FL
2008: India Day, Melbourne, FL
2008: Hindu Temple Fundraiser, Ft. Myers
Anjali began dancing Bharata Natyam as soon as she took her first steps, under the
watchful eyes of her mother, Sudha Chandra Sekhar, grandmother and older
sister. Anjali began her performance career when she was 3 years old and
throughout the years, performed in the U.S.,
Canada and India along with Hindu Temple Rhythms, the Indian dance school founded by her mother and grandmother. She was presented in her solo performance debut, or Bharata Natyam Arangetram, at
Varner Hall in Rochester Hills, Michigan, when she was 18 years old. The show was presented as a Father's Day tribute in honor of her late father and inspiration in life, Mr. Chandrasekhar.
Anjali's performance highlights include a presesntation
at the 50th birthday celebration of Motown great Aretha Franklin at the Rattlesnake
Club in Detroit in 1993. She also was a principal dancer with her mother and two sisters, Vidya and Anandini, in the Michigan
Opera Theater ’s rendition of “Lakme” in 2002. She played the
leading role of Parvati in the Kuchipudi dance drama, “Parvati Parinayam” in 1995.
In the late 1990s, Anjali also choreographed and performed several classical and popular Indian film items for
the Wayne State University Indian Students Association's cultural shows.
Anjali previously served as assistant teacher and communications director for Hindu
Temple Rhythms, as well as a senior performer for HTR's dance company, Vidyanjali, and vocal support for the Vidyanjali Orchestra.
She helped run the weekly Bharata Natyam dance classes at The Bharatiya Temple in Troy, MI, while also teaching several private and group classes for students ranging from toddlers to adults throughout Southeastern Michigan. She has helped organize, choreograph and perform in major HTR presentations, including the annual recital, Tandav, a performance presented as a prayer to Lord Shiva, the Hindu Lord of Dance. She also specializes in choreographing film dances, more popularly known as Bollywood, performing for wedding receptions, anniversaries and other special occasions.
In additon, Anjali has conducted lecture-demonstrations on Bharata Natyam and Indian culture for the Wayne State University dance department, Detroit Public Schools and the Port Huron Area School District through the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit and the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History. Beyond Bharata Natyam, Anjali also has participated in workshops in other dance styles, including Ballet, Modern, African Dance, Bellydance, and the Indian classical styles Kuchipudi, Kathak and Mohini Attam.
In 2007, Anjali and her husband relocated to Orlando, Florida, where she now teaches Bharata Natyam and Bollywood dance classes. She and her students have participated in a variety of performances for Indian cultural organizations, as well as international celebrations in Orlando and Melbourne. Anjali also has performed Bollywood and taught dance classes and workshops throughout Central Florida. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with many more interested students.
Bharata Natyam is a very popular dance form in South India. It is oldest of all classical dance forms in India. A dance of mind & soul. It is extremely traditional and known for its grace, purity, tenderness & sculpturesque poses. It uplifts the dancer and the beholder to a higher level of spiritual consciousness. The dancer is considered a worshiper of the Divine and an embodiment of beauty, charm and gracefulness.
Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to join weekly classes in Orlando. Students learn the basics of Bharata Natyam, including Adavus (basic exercises), Hastas (hand gestures) and Padabhedas (foot positions) and progress to more advanced techniques, which include traditional items in the Bharata Natyam repertoire, choreography to a variety of Indian music styles and a focus on Abhinaya (expressional dance). Dance lessons also help give students an introduction to Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil and Hindi.
Anjali also can provide training to students who are more experienced and are interested in preparing for their Arangetram, solo dance debut performance. Classes also are available for advanced students through Skype. For more information on Bharata Natyam and Bollywood dance classes, contact Anjali at (407) 902-4941 or afluker75@yahoo.com
Anjali Dance Locations
Santoshi Maa Mandir |
Guang Ming Temple Saturday, 10:00-11:00 a.m. 6555 Hoffner Avenue Orlando, FL (407) 281-8482 |
Stoneybrook Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Stoneybrook Blvd. Orlando, FL (407) 902-4941 |