About

After being trained in classical ballet, Laura started learning Bharatanatyam from Ann Ojala in 2011. She has attended dance workshops in the Baltic region and studied for a semester in The Temple of Fine Arts, Singapore. In 2016, Laura moved to Delhi to continue her training under Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan and under Vidushi Arupa Lahiry, disciple of Guru Chitra Visweswaran. During her three year stay in India, she performed Bharatanatyam at various cultural events and mastered two margams worth of repertoire. She also studied Carnatic music and South Asian studies, including Hindi. She is being trained in nattuvangam under Kalaimamani Kuttalam M. Selvam.

Since 2019, Laura resides in Espoo, where she continues to practice her art. She is a trained teacher (Helsinki University) and has been choreographing dance since 2014. Laura feels content when dancing Bharatanatyam as her whole body and soul is immersed in creating this visual poetry.

To read more about Bharatanatyam, click here.

Selected solo work

This kriti explores the mother goddess Tripurasundari in all her aspects. Performed at the launch of Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s India Finland – Finland India Bilateral Business Council, 16.12.2020, Espoo. Choreography by Chitra Viswesvaran.
The varnam is the central and most elaborate piece in a Bharatanatyam margam. In charukeshi varnam, the heroine laments the absence of her beloved Krishna who seems to play a cosmic game of hide and seek with her. April 2021, Tanssikeidas, Helsinki. Choreography by Chitra Visweswaran.
In this shabdam, the heroine has fallen in love with Nataraja, the god of dance. She wonders whether he will ever understand her love for him. 14.5.2022, Maunula Talo, Helsinki. Choreography by Arupa Lahiry.
This padam tells the story of a woman who gets to know that her husband’s mistress is gossiping about her: “It isn’t her fault! Let it go, friends!” 2.1.2023, Day 2 of Samskriti Europe’s Margazhi Utsavam 22-23, a pan-European Festival of Indian Classical Art. Choreography by Chitra Viswesvaran.
This is the story of a lady who sees the man she loves enter the house of another woman. She runs to her friend for support. Performed at Lotus Indian Dance Centre’s Christmas show on 15.12.2019, in Steiner School’s Auditorium, Helsinki. Choreography by Rama Vaidyanathan.

Selected collaborations

Collaboration with Bhangra dancer Sanna Laine, March 2021, Espoo.
Collaboration with Maharashtra Mandal Finland in video tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, September 2020, Espoo. Choreography by Laura Kunnas.
Group performance at Amrita Dance School’s 35th Anniversary recital, September 2019, Kumu auditorium, Tallinn, Estonia.
With guru Saroja Vaidyanathan’s troupe performing at the World Dance Day show “No Boundaries”, 29.4.2018, Siri Fort, Delhi, India.
Group performance under guru Saroja Vaidyanathan for Banaras – the Music City of UNESCO, 17.9.2016, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India.

Classes

From 20th August 2023 onwards, I will teach Bharatanatyam for children and adults, beginners or advanced, on Fridays in Niittykumpu, Espoo.

Click on the link for details and for enrolling: https://www.lotusindiandance.fi/timetable-class-descriptions-pricing/

Contact

For any collaboration: performances, workshops, lecture demonstrations, private classes,

Mail me at: laurakunnasdance [at] gmail [dot] com

My Instagram: laurakunnasdance