Ameya King

Serendipity, Whimsy, and Funhouse mirrors

It’s only the start of the third week this year, and I’m looking back at a hectic couple of weeks at work, new school for the older one, farewell to the younger one’s crib, the start of potty training, farewell to my wisdom teeth (and all the fun…

We can do hard things (or, thoughts about last year and this year)

I spent the last few days reading Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, and as a listener to her podcast We Can Do Hard Things (okay - as part of her Pod Squad), I was catching up on an episode this morning that ended with the most lovely song by her daughter,…

In the flush of love's light

Maya Angelou writes, “In the flush of love’s light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.” What a beautiful way to capture both how selfish and how selfless the choice…

Reflections

Photo by Stephen Salpukas from Nruthyarchana, presented two weeks ago. The show’s still up on YouTube if you missed it. This year has been a roller coaster personally, professionally, and artistically. It seems especially apt to pour my swirling…

You're Invited - Nruthyarchana

I’m presenting a solo program on Sunday, December 4th at 4 pm Eastern, and I hope you’ll join me for the performance. This is something I’ve been hoping to do for a long time, and seriously working toward for the past year - a show where I get to…

Why I used to hate performing and what *Science* tells me I can do

Note: I found this nearly complete draft as I was about to start on a brand new piece, so I’m wrapping this up and posting it. New post to come soon! Yeah, that’s a bit of a clickbait-y title, but really, it also covers what I want to talk about.…

Dispelling Darkness

If I look at the clock, it’s the next day, but in my mind, it’s still Guru Pournami. I’ve had a thought since this morning, and I’m only now able to write it down: It is knowledge that dispels darkness (“gu”, being darkness and “ru” meaning to…

Taking a breathe

This year has been moving at a frenetic pace, and I can’t believe it’s nearly June (HELLO trip around the sun #32, you are here FAR too quickly and I’m not ready!) Generally speaking, my favorite approach to cooking is having pots and pans (and the…

Marking the passage of another year

At the beginning of last year, I wrote this: So, I’m going to dance. I’m going to dance daily. I’m going to be kind to myself as I dance, instead of tearing myself down with harsh self-criticism. But I will not let up, and if it’s a choice between…

Art and Identity: a journey + 2 performances you need to watch

Today is an important day historically. In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14 year old Black boy was lynched and murdered, after being accused of being lewd with a white woman who was selling him candy. (She recanted her testimony decades later). In 1963, on…

An Off the Beat idea

I’m starting a podcast! I’m starting a podcast with fellow dancer, writer, choreographer, and early aughts music connoisseur Kiran Rajagopalan because he’s awesome and I’m awesome and we want to share our awesomeness with the world. In all…

The rippling breath, the beating heart

I’m back to talking about rhythm. (Because I can’t not). During the last couple of months, I had a couple performance experiences that let me revisit my ideas related to it. At the Richmond Dance Festival by Dogtown Dance Theater, my mother was the…

Fires in the Mirror - A Reflection

Photo credit: Bill Sigafoos / Firehouse Theatre When I was in grad school, in one of my early classes, my professors talked about how the texts tell as that the artist should be like a clear vessel to let the colors of characters through to the…

ResiliDance - A Review

For its 18th dance festival, ResiliDance, IDEA harnessed the possibilities of virtual programming by bringing together over 60 speakers and 20 performing groups from India, US, UK & NZ for 24 hours of programming spanning 4 days, as well as 5 films…

Joyful things

It’s been a trying few days (weeks? months?) for me, but it’s been art that’s kept me sane and sustained me, and as I look at the crazy few days (weeks? months?) ahead, it’s art, again, that’ll see me through. Sharing that lovely pieces of…

Processing the violence.

Content warnings: Gun Violence, Murder Tonight, my heart is aching. This month, my heart has been aching. A mass shooting in Atlanta. A mass shooting in Boulder. A car jacking in Washington D.C.. A mass shooting in Virginia Beach. Another shooting in…

Empowering Spaces for the Arts

Last night was closing night of the show The Untethered: Homecoming 2020. A diverse group of alums from across the country - and even internationally! - came together to offer both a performance and their stories, journeys, and wisdom for the…

May 7 Fires in the Mirror - A Reflection

Last night was closing night of the show The Untethered: Homecoming 2020. A diverse group of alums from across the country - and even internationally! - came together to offer both a performance and their stories, journeys, and wisdom for the…

A statement of intention

When I started writing here, I was at an inflection point in my dance journey. A student of dance and passionate about Kuchipudi for many years, I was trying to convince myself that firstly, I had the satta to be a dancer; secondly, I was trying to…

Festival of Kuchipudi - A reflection

I just finished watching Sunday’s lineup for Prakriti Dance’s Festival of Kuchipudi, and my mind is abuzz. First - some context. Kasi Aysola, a dynamic and passionate artist, and codirector of Prakriti Dance, curated the festival. Using a blend of…