Anjali Fluker Biography

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, in 1993. The performance was dedicated to her late father and arts enthusiast, Sankarnarayan Chandra Sekhar.

Anjali's performance highlights include a presesntation at the 50th birthday celebration of Motown great Aretha Franklin 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 2010, she conducted a Bollywood dance workshop for employees of Universal Resort Orlando as part of Asian Heritage Month.

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.

Anjali and her husband relocated to Orlando, Florida in 2007, 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 in Orlando, contact Anjali at (407) 902-4941 or afluker75@yahoo.com

Performance Highlights:

2011: IndiaFest, Melbourne, FL

2010: Sastriya Natya Sumanjali, Indian classical dance showcase in Central Florida

2010-2011: Universal Orlando Resort, Bollywood workshop for employees celebrating Asian Heritage Month