Chai with Rai (Ep.28)- In Conversation with Ramita Ravi and Vikas Arun from Project Convergence. We sat and discussed the creative space in US from a South Asian perspective, being a female and being queer. We also dove into conversations about South Asian Dance-- how the space can often be divided and separated. How South Asian dancers are only bought together for South Asian projects as oppose to our counterparts in the community. How Ramita and Vikas are creating heritage work but meshing it with other forms. Mentorship and sharing the South Asian dance space with other companies and uplifting each other.
We also discussed their passions for balancing careers outside of the arts industry and how that functions with all of their business ventures. We obviously talked about the work they both create for Project Convergence and dance competitions. Their credits, dance journeys, their views on digital space and actualising that into work and so much more.
A bit about Ramita:
Ramita Ravi is a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, entrepreneur, and consultant:
As an Artist, she is signed bi-coastally with Bloc Talent Agency. She was the first South Asian to be featured on So You Think You Can Dance which launched a career of credits including SAG Feature Film Spinning Gold, John Oliver, TNT, Viceland, Hermès NYFW, Mystic India: The World Tour. I’ve choreographed for Lincoln Center, Raveena, KSHMR, Buzzfeed, Spotify; and taught at Broadway Dance Center, Columbia, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Alvin Ailey. I’m also on faculty with Groove Dance, Headliners, and Imagine Dance Challenge.
As a consultant, she has worked in UX Design, Product Strategy, Marketing, Program / Portfolio Management at companies like TEDMED, Tomorrow Health, Advice Coach, and Stage Door Connections.
As an Entrepreneur, Ramita is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artswrk: a professional network for artists and creatives. She also co-founded Project Convergence, a dance company incubated at the American Tap Dance Foundation.
A bit about Vikas:
Vikas is a sought-after dancer specializing in tap, contemporary, and Bollywood dance. He has had the pleasure of working with numerous prestigious choreographers including Emmy nominees Chloe Arnold and Anthony Morigerato, Jeff Award winner Jared Grimes, MacArthur Genius grant winner Michelle Dorrance, and many others. His performance credits include TV (Good Morning America, So You Think You Can Dance, Univsion), film (Breaking Brooklyn), commercials (J.Crew, Vogue), and musicals (42nd Street). He has performed for esteemed guests such as the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of India.
Vikas’ company Project Convergence, co-founded with Ramita Ravi, is the first company in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation dedicated to blending tap dance with Bharatanatyam, a classical from of Indian percussive dance. The company’s performance credits include Spotify, Buzzfeed, and Lincoln Center, with media coverage from WNYC (New York Public Radio), Dance Magazine, Columbia Magazine, and The Hindu. You can catch him in print as the first South Asian Ambassador for Capezio or as a teacher at Broadway Dance Center and Columbia University.
In addition to his dance work, Vikas’ is also an award winning engineer and a Robert Gartland Fellow at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School for Engineering and Applied Science. He travels the world teaching dance technique, dance pedagogy, financing for dancers, and personal growth coaching. He is a guest lecturer at Columbia University, a substitute faculty member at Broadway Dance Center, a regular guest on numerous podcasts, and a cited source for articles in major publications including The Guardian, The New York Times, and more.
To watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/G-aIVNHxenY
Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/ramita.ravi/ , https://www.instagram.com/vikas_arun_/ & https://www.instagram.com/project.convergence/
Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum
Guests: https://www.ramitaravi.com , https://www.vikasarun.com https://www.projectconvergence.org
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
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